Hazardous Waste Expert

Result of Service
Development of situation analysis, legal and regulatory support, and building
capacity of the National Center for Waste Management in hazardous waste.
Work Location
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Expected duration
‎97 working days
Duties and Responsibilities
Organizational Setting, Purpose, and Objective:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global
environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes
the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable
development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative
advocate for the global environment. The West Asia Office delivers advisory
services and capacity building support to countries to achieve environment and
sustainable development objectives. This consultancy is established at the
West Asia Office within the framework of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement
between UNEP and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Under overall supervision by the
Project Manager and the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer
for Waste Management in UNEP West Asia Office and in coordination with the
respective department in the National Centre for Waste Management (MWAN) and
the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Saudi Arabia, the
Consultant will carry-out, inter alia, the following duties and
responsibilities:

‎1. Situation analysis:
* Complete review and analysis of current and upcoming laws and regulations and advise MWAN on the revisions and updates to technical guidelines related to hazardous waste management in KSA.
* Assessment of government resources and capacity to oversee enforcement and implement local regulatory regime as well as international obligations and requirements under the Basel Convention (e.g. national reporting requirements);
* Review and summarize existing systems for hazardous wase management in KSA.
* Review and assess existing studies and outputs from existing projects related to hazardous waste carried out by the MWAN and other entities.
* Review available data and undertake verification in terms of balancing volumes generated with disposal routes and visual inspection/technical reviews of handling, storage, disposal, treatment, and recycling operations in KSA to assess existing and possible hazardous waste recycling and reuse opportunities that are or can be operated in line with national regulations.

‎2. Legal and regulatory advisory support:
* Provide legal and technical guidance to MWAN staff on international obligations and requirements under the Basel Convention and other multilateral environmental agreements.
* Provide guidance and technical support to various internal and external stakeholders on understanding the local regulatory requirements related to hazardous waste classification and management in the kingdom.
* Assessment of institutional capacity of MEWA and MWAN to oversee implementation of legislation and international requirements with existing staff, skills, and institutional organization, identify gaps and propose additional human resource required.
* Identify gaps and needs in the regulatory framework and provide recommendations for improvement.
* Assess waste existing frameworks for the characterization and classification of hazardous waste in KSA and propose appropriate alternatives and/or improvements where necessary.
* Examine regulatory and market-based mechanisms for hazardous waste management.
* Propose an appropriate institutional framework for hazardous waste management, taking into account the roles of government bodies and private sector and informal sector.

‎3. Capacity Building:
* Assess existing level of knowledge and skills of relevant staff members of the MWAN in regard to hazardous waste management and conduct needs assessment.
* Design and deliver a training programme based on the needs assessment including the training materials related to hazardous waste management.
* Design national / international study tour for NCWM staff to demonstrate hazardous waste management practices.
Qualifications/special skills
Master's degree in environmental sciences, chemical engineering, waste
management, or closely related fields is required. PHD is an asset.
A minimum of ‎10 years of experience of relevant international work experience
related to environmental and hazardous waste sectors working with and
governments on environmental policy and capacity building is required.
Knowledge of environment issues including air quality in Saudi Arabia is an
asset.
Previous practical experience in similar asks in hazardous waste is desirable.
Languages
Fluency in written and spoken English is required, proficiency in Arabic is
desirable.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT
PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED
NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.