The Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region (BCCC-Africa) invites applications for the positions of National Technical Coordinator for the project “Circular and POPs-free Plastics in Africa (GEFID11049)”.

BACKGROUND

The Africa POPs in plastics project aims to reduce the releases of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) from plastic products in the African continent. Three sectors were prioritized in five countries: automotives (Kenya, South Africa), construction (Zimbabwe) and electronics (Nigeria, Uganda). Project interventions intend to reduce the import, production and use of POPs in plastic-containing products, and the generation of uPOPs and greenhouse gases (GHG) in these sectors. The project will work with governments to adopt and enforce upstream policies and financial instruments; with plastic product designers, manufacturers and assemblers to implement circular economy practices and eliminate/replace problematic products with more sustainable alternatives; and with recyclers and collectors to separate hazardous plastics fractions and increase awareness. This is projected to result in multiple global environmental benefits that include the reduction of POPs containing plastics, emission of POPs, and mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions that will lead to reduced human health, environment, and economic impacts.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It is being implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and executed by BCCC-Africa with the collaboration of national partners in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. BCCC-Africa is a regional Centre of the Basel Convention, hosted by the government of Nigeria, and located in Ibadan, Nigeria.

One National Technical Coordinator will be appointed for each of the five partner countries, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The objective of this project is to reduce the import, production and use of POPs in plastic-containing products and the generation of uPOPs in selected African countries (Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe).

The projectconsists of the following four components:

• Component1:Policy and economic instruments targeting POPs containing plastics
• Component2: Circular economy practices to reduce POPs in problematic plastics
• Component3: Environmentally sound management of plastic waste containing POPs
• Component 4: Knowledge management, capacity building and communication

MAIN DUTIES AND EXPECTED OUTPUTS/OUTCOMES

• Coordination of the project at country level in cooperation with the designated national Focal Point for the project.
• Reporting periodically to the project Executing Agency, including monthly meetings, quarterly reports, annual workplan and budgeting.
• Consultations with government & all national stakeholders.
• Organization of meetings and events, including functioning as Secretary to the National Working Group.
• Review of national consultants’ reports, activities, and outputs.
• Support and provision of country information and results to international experts (e.g., UNEP technical support, Regional Technical Coordinator, etc)
• GEB and indicator monitoring at national level
• Tailor ToRs and procure and manage contracts for services under project activities 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, and 4.1
• Identification and management of project case studies.

REPORTING

The National Technical Coordinator will report to the National Working Group, the Regional Project Manager, the Regional Technical Coordinator, and the Project Steering Committee.

QUALIFICATIONS

(i) Education:University Degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering or related fields.

    Postgraduate qualifications will be an added advantage.

(ii) Work experience: Minimum of fiveyears’ experience managing projects in the field of chemicals and waste; experience 

      coordinating or leading environment-related projects at national level in Africa.

(iii) Knowledge of chemicals is desirable.

(iv) Functional Skills:

• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills
• Excellent planning and coordination skills
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills in English language
• Familiarity with working on projects for UN agencies
• Good computing skills
• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight targets and deadlines.
• Good experience in developing and executing training programmes on technical subjects.
• Familiarity with project cycle and project management tools.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

N.B: An applicant must be resident in the country for which they wish to be considered for appointment as National Technical Coordinator.

All applications for these positionsshouldbe sent by email only, and should contain a cover letter and resume (including copies of certifications), in English, stating the job title (and the one country of interest) in the subject line, to:

The Executive Director

Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region

1 Ijoma Road,

University of Ibadan

Ibadan, Nigeria

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Copy to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The applications should additionally be copied to the following:

For Kenya Applications:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For Nigeria Applications: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For South Africa Applications: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For Uganda Applications: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For Zimbabwe Applications: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE:

The closing date for receipt of applications by e-mail is 24 October 2024.

Signed

Executive Director

BCCC-Africa

Ibadan, Nigeria