Consultant for the Development of a Circular Economy Roadmap and Action Plan Vacancy Job Ref: VACUNEP0884-20
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Result of Service
To develop an integrated and gender sensitive Roadmap and Action Plan for Circular Economy in Seychelles under the Joint SDG Fund Programme.
Work Location Seychelles
Duties and Responsibilities 1. Background Information
Background 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.
In April 2022, a project entitled “Contributing to establish an enabling environment to promote sustainable Green and Blue Economy in Mauritius and Seychelles” was approved for funding under the Joint SDG Fund.
This first Joint SDG Fund project for Mauritius and Seychelles will support the two Small Island Developing States (SIDS) advance their green and blue economy agenda. In Seychelles, the focus is on Circular Economy.
The Joint Programme (JP) will contribute to strengthen the policy framework, establish financial mechanisms, and avail information needed by the private and public sectors to invest in the green and blue economy to accelerate the realization of the SDGs.
The project will be implemented by UNEP as the Lead Agency among other UN agencies.
In Seychelles, the JP will support the Government of Seychelles in developing a Circular Economy roadmap and action plan, developing a financing strategy as well as strengthening partnership between the public and private sector.
Moreover, this JP will also support initiatives and projects in the circular economy in Seychelles through a seed funding mechanism.
This will help to scale up the necessary investments in circular economy opportunities in the country that benefit women, men and youth, and help communities diversify livelihoods, reinforce local resilience, and contribute to poverty reduction, thereby contributing to reduce amount of solid waste being directed to the landfill.
Solid Waste Management (SWM) poses a significant challenge to Seychelles. The country generates an average amount of 80,000 tons of waste every year, the majority of which is directed to the primary landfill on the island. Land filling rate are increasing annually and the primary landfill on the main island of Mahe is expected to reach full capacity by 2028.
Faced with the problem of scarcity of land, the country will need to adopt a sustainable solid waste management system that reduces the amount of waste flowing to the landfill.
However, the operationalization of the sustainable waste management system, will require the participation of businesses into the recycling sector and private sector investment in critical waste management infrastructures.
Such is the Circular Economy, which has double edge effect of addressing national challenges relating to waste management and the preservation of the ocean, while having potential to creating new employment and investment opportunities within the country.
This will include finding novel ways to repair, repurpose, and recycle materials, so as to minimize the amount of waste deposited into the environment.
In turn, this will help reduce over-reliance on imports, lower government expenditure, create new jobs and business opportunities and ultimately result in economic growth.
In view to address its solid waste management problem in a holistic manner, the Government of Seychelles has developed its Solid Waste Management plan 2020-2035 to reduce both land and marine pollution with the introduction of waste segregation at the community level being explored.
However, to create a more sustainable waste management system, the country will require the participation of businesses into the recycling sector and private sector investment in critical waste management infrastructures.
The Blue Economy Strategic Policy Framework and Road Map for Seychelles articulates an integrated approach to ocean based sustainable development, which brings together the economy, environment and society, consistent with the 2030 Agenda (SDGs).
A vital component of the Road Map focuses on the exploration and development of emerging sectors that have the potential to create employment and generate revenue, while conserving the integrity of the natural environment.
An integrated and gender sensitive Roadmap and Action Plan for the adoption of the circular economy in Seychelles is therefore imperative to create an integrated approach to ocean based sustainable development, which brings together the economy, environment, and society.
This Roadmap and Action Plan would ensure exploration and development of emerging sectors that have the potential to create employment and generate revenue, while conserving the natural environment.
2. Objectives of the assignment
The main objective of the assignment is to support the development of an integrated and gender sensitive Roadmap and Action Plan for Circular Economy.
This will include a preliminary analysis of key waste stream with high potential for recycling and material recovery opportunities. Specific objectives include:
1. Conduct a preliminary analysis of key waste stream with high potential for recycling and material recovery opportunities.
2. To develop an integrated and gender-sensitive Roadmap on Circular Economy
3. To develop and Action Plan for Circular Economy projects in Seychelles in view to address the solid waste management challenge and support implementation of the Government’s Solid Waste Management Plan 2020-2035
3. Scope of Services
Under the UN Joint SDG Programme and with the support of the Fund thereunder, the consultant will develop the Circular Economy Roadmap and Action Plan for Seychelles: Activities will include:
a) Carry out a scoping exercise of existing policies, regulations, standards and instruments, and mapping of gaps and challenges on SCP and Circular Economy based on a wide consultative process comprising focus group discussions, roundtables, workshops, interviews, surveys as well as data collection.
This process will have to be a highly participatory. The scoping exercise should also include policies and incentive mechanism related to the private sector.
b) Identify and priorities sectors for the Government of Seychelles taking into consideration gender mainstreaming and vulnerable groups at risk of being left behind in the adoption of a circular economy
c) Undertake an assessment of the various identified priority sectors in terms of environmental, financial, social, economic, and legal perspectives and identify sectors that have the potential to create employment and generate revenue, while conserving the integrity of the natural environment opportunities in the integration of a Circular Economy \
d) Make key recommendations on the proposed measures to integrate Circular Economy aspects in the identified priority sectors and the inclusion of gender-sensitive elements
e) Prepare a consolidated Roadmap on Circular Economy comprising the proposed policy framework with key enablers, economic and financial measures.
f) Prepare an Action Plan and Strategy for the Roadmap on Circular Economy to engage the collaboration of stakeholders.
4. Reporting lines
The Consultant will be working under the supervision of the UNEP Regional Office for Africa (ROA) under the direct supervision of the designated country focal point.
The consultant will work closely with the Resident Coordinator’s Office Mauritius and Seychelles, and the Technical Committee, chaired by a representative from the Blue Economy Department of Seychelles.
The consultant will provide regular updates to UNEP-ROA, the Technical Committee and the Joint SDG Fund Secretariat.
Qualifications/special skills Advanced degree in circular economy, environmental management, environment engineering, sustainable development or any other related field; a first level degree with additional two years’ experience can be considered in place of an advanced level degree.
A minimum of 10 years work experience with international development assistance experience in relevant fields is required. Substantive knowledge on Solid Waste Management, Circular Economy, Environmental Economics and policy analysis. Proven experience in undertaking analysis and assessment with combined considerations of economic, social and environmental issues.
Proven abilities for report writing, good organizational and communication skills; team work; and an awareness of a broad spectrum of green economy, policy analysis and SCP issues. Candidate must be IT literate.
Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
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