TERMS OF REFERENCE

I. General Information

Position Title:

Waste Management Expert

Unit:

Policy Development and Research

Contract period:

6 months

Project:

Reduction of Unintentionally Produced Persistent Organic Pollutants and Mercury through an Environmentally-Sound Approach on Healthcare Wastes Management in the Philippines with a Special Focus on the Pandemic

Reporting to:

Project Manager

Duty Station:

Quezon City

Employment status:

Project-term employee (output-based)

II. Background

The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is being implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) as lead agency and BAN Toxics as executing entity.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization, and environmental sustainability. The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization’s application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG) contributes to greener and more circular industries and products by minimizing both resource use along value chains and the emission of pollutants to the environment. The Responsible Materials and Chemicals Management Unit (TCS/CEG/RMC) is responsible for supporting Member States to implement the chemicals and Conventions and other relevant agreements, in particular where it relates to larger and formalized industries and sectors, and to leverage its experience to address industrial pollution mitigation in general as well as other emerging compliance mechanisms.

DENR-EMB is a national authority responsible for pollution prevention and control, and environmental impact assessment. EMB is guided by the vision of a nation empowered to protect its finite natural resources in pursuit of sustainable development, to ensure a healthy environment that enhances the Filipino quality of life for present and future generations. Its mission is to restore, protect, and enhance environmental quality towards good public health, environmental integrity, and economic viability. Particularly, EMB is mandated to implement the following national environmental laws:

  • Presidential Decree 1586 (Environmental Impact Statement System)
  • Republic Act 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990)
  • Republic Act 8749 (Clean Air Act of 1999)
  • Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000)
  • Republic Act 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004)
  • Republic Act 9512 (Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008)

BAN Toxics is an independent non-government environmental organization that works for the advancement of environmental justice, health, and sustainable development in the area of chemicals and wastes with a special focus on women, children, and other marginalized sectors.

BAN Toxics’ intervention approach emphasizes how the mismanagement of toxic chemicals can impact society. Chemicals are a part of daily life, and they typically play an important role in society. The organization views toxic chemicals issues as important human rights issues.

PROJECT CONTEXT

“Reduction of unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutants (uPOPs) and Mercury through an environmentally-sound approach on healthcare waste management” or the HCW project.

This project aims to achieve the protection of human health and the environment from the impacts of improper medical waste management. It also focuses on the avoidance and reduction of the releases of unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury in the healthcare waste sector.

Below are the major components of the project:

  • Component 1: Unintentionally produced POPs release reduction in the healthcare waste sector
  • Component 2: Management of mercury, mercury-added products (MAPs), and mercury wastes in the health sector according to the Minamata Convention on Mercury and the Philippine National Action Plan for MAPs phase-out
  • Component 3: Capacity-building, awareness-raising, and knowledge management
  • Component 4: Monitoring and Evaluation

The project is going to be implemented in three major sites in the country covering hospitals, healthcare facilities, and various communities in Region 2, Region 8, and the National Capital Region.

III. Scope of Work

In relation to the following Outputs of the project:

Output 1.2.1:
Technologies and procedures upgraded to be BAT/BEP compliant;

Output 1.2.2:
Low or zero-emission technologies for the pre-treatment of wastes generated during pandemics, implemented in a cluster of healthcare facilities and TSDs; and

Output 2.2.1:
Capacity of mercury waste service providers upgraded to be BAT/BEP compliant;

the consultancy entails the development of technical documents focusing on the following:

  • Development of tools and guidelines for the assessment of capacity to manage healthcare wastes in partner healthcare facilities (HCF) and treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facilities, taking into consideration the environmental and social impacts of healthcare waste management,
  • Strategy and guidance documents for the selection of suitable treatment technologies and transportation practices in HCFs and TSD facilities, taking into consideration project goals of reducing uPOPs generation and implementing safe mercury management practices in partner facilities,
  • Technical specification documents for the improvement of specific treatment and storage equipment for healthcare wastes for partner hospitals, taking into consideration the proposed interventions listed in the project document.

IV. Qualifications

  • A degree in relevant engineering practices, chemistry, environmental science, or other courses related to the management of wastes. An advanced degree in related programs is preferred but not required.
  • At least 5 years of experience working in the environment, development, or healthcare sectors with proven expertise in developing technical documents and assessments (including environmental impact analysis) and chemicals and waste management. The candidate must clearly demonstrate a deep understanding of the environmental and social impacts of waste management and related technologies, as well as global standards for waste management.
  • Ability to travel to the project sites, when needed.

V. Expected Outputs

Technical Document: Assessment guidelines, results of assessment (TSD, HCF), recommended technologies

 

Please submit your CV and cover letter, including your expected salary, to: hr@bantoxics.org

Deadline of submission is on December 31, 2024