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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system. UNEP Law Division is the lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law, governance and related policy issues. The Law Division leads UNEP’s role as Secretariat to the Fifth Montevideo Programme on the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V), adopted by the UN Environment Assembly in March 2019, which will promote environmental rule of law, strengthen the related capacities in countries, and contribute to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The national consultant shall work under the supervision of the Head, Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit (MCDU) of the Law Division or his/her designated mandated representative(s).

The consultant will undertake the following activities to support the improvement and development of a solid waste management legal framework and the advancement of environmental rule of law in Nigeria:

1. Undertake a baseline mapping and analysis of the existing regulatory and institutional framework governing waste management in Nigeria, to assess it against principles of integrated waste management and principles for the protection of the health and rights of the waste labor force, especially the informal workers. The baseline gap analysis will identify strengths, gaps, and challenges, will assess needs.

2. Draft a report on specific measures relating to the labor workforce in waste management for consideration in legislative reforms, taking into account international labor and health standards and best practices.

3. Based on the gap analysis and needs assessment, and the report on specific measures relating to the labor workforce in waste management, develop recommendations for reform of the legislative and institutional framework for waste management in the country, with due consideration to the informal labor sector. The report with recommendations will integrate the findings/evidence collected by the use of UN-Habitat’s Waste Wise Cities Tool (WaCT), which will monitor the performance of municipal solid waste management systems at city level in Abeokuta and will include draft clauses/provisions on legislation.

4. Support the preparation and organization of two series of consultations with experts and stakeholders (including feedback sessions with UNEP and other project implementing partners), one provisionally scheduled in 2023 Q2 and the second in 2023 Q3, to discuss the impact of the existing regulatory waste management frameworks in the informal structures and the need to adapt the framework to integrated waste management principles. During the consultations, the activities mentioned in paragraphs 1 to 3 above will be presented and reviewed. The consultant will be responsible for integrating the outcomes of the consultations/expert discussions in the final version of the report with specific measures and draft provisions for enhanced legislative frameworks, as well as for preparing the agenda, the proposed list of experts and identified stakeholders and participants, questionnaires, presentations, post consultation reports, and any material relating to the consultations.

5. Work in close collaboration with UNEP, UN-Habitat and stakeholders involved, provide regular updates on the progress of the activities to UNEP, as required, and carry out any other tasks which may be assigned under the project.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in Nigerian law, specializing in environmental law/policy, waste management law, or other relevant qualifications (required).

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in the field of environmental law/ policy in Nigeria is required.

Experience in research and analytical report writing on legal and policy issues related to waste management is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

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.