Consultant: Economic Commission for Europe

Duties and Responsibilities

The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents adopted a long-term strategy at its tenth meeting, which set out the vision to significantly increase industrial safety and reduce the risks of technological disasters by ensuring its full implementation, its wide recognition as a legal instrument for risk reduction under the Sendai Framework and its contribution to achievement of the SDGs. Progressing towards this vision, the Convention’s workplan for 2019-2020 stipulates the following items, among others:

1. Support for countries’ implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its Goals, and of the Sendai Framework with a focus on industrial accident prevention and preparedness

2. Follow-up to the United Nations/OECD workshop on natural-hazard-triggered technological accidents (Natech) risk management

3. Follow-up to the exchange of experience and good practices among Parties on risk assessment methodologies

4. Preventing accidental water pollution

5. Building capacity in countries of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, among others, through National Policy Dialogues for Industrial Safety

6. Servicing of intergovernmental bodies.

The objective of the assignment of the consultant is to:

• Contribute to strengthening the Convention’s linkages and outreach to the Sendai Framework process and help increase the Convention’s visibility as a legal instrument for technological disaster risk reduction

• Substantially contribute to the work on NATECH, in cooperation with partner organizations, such as OECD, UN Environment/OCHA Joint Unit, UNDRR, incl. through participation in the relevant working groups

• Support the work on risk assessment, in particular the Convention’s small group on risk assessment and the development of a report on risk assessment methodologies

• Contribute to enhancing the prevention of accidental water pollution, notably by continuing to strengthen liaison with river basin commission, in cooperation with the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes and supporting the work related to the Joint Expert Group on Water and Industrial Accidents (established under the Industrial Accidents and Water Conventions

• Provide support to the implementation of dedicated capacity development projects in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, by contributing to the organization of workshops and seminar and supporting project implementation, development and reporting.

• Provide support to the organization of intergovernmental bodies, in particular the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties, including side events.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications: First degree in environmental policy or science, industrial or chemical engineering, political science or international relations, economics, administration or a related area. A Master’s degree is considered an asset

Experience: More than two years of experience in the area of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and/or environmental governance and in supporting intergovernmental processes. Experience in one or more of the following areas is an asset: Technological disaster risk reduction, industrial safety, NATECH, risk assessment, accidental water pollution prevention, capacity-development in countries with economies in transition.

Language: Fluency in English is required. Russian and/or French are an asset.

Result of Service

The services of the consultant will result in the delivery of the following :

1. Technological disaster risk reduction: Increased visibility of the Convention and its linkages with the Sendai Framework process through communication and correspondence, contribution to documents and papers and liaison with other international organizations, such as UNDRR.

2. Natural-hazard triggered technological accidents (NATECH): Increased awareness of the Convention’s activities on NATECH; through creation of a webpage layout; awareness-raising and outreach; Contribution to data collection (survey) and the preparation of guidance and a brochure on NATECH risk management, in particular on transboundary cooperation, in cooperation with partner organizations

3. Risk assessment: Preparation of meetings of the Industrial Accident Convention’s small group on risk assessment; Contribution to the review and dissemination of a template on risk assessment methodologies in UNECE member States, liaison and follow-up; Contribution to the review of a report on risk assessment methodologies and information sharing with members of the Convention’s Bureau.

4. Joint Expert Group on Water and Industrial Accidents (JEG): Enhancing cooperation with the river commissions, through organization of teleconference, liaison and follow-up; Liaison with JEG Co-Chairs and members, incl. on nominations by focal points, Prepared draft and update of proposed JEG-related items for 2021-22 workplan, following teleconference.

5. Capacity development in countries with economies in transition: Support provided to the preparation of the capacity-development workshops and seminars, including preparation of the agenda, liaison with speakers and participants, designing promotional materials, webpage content

6. Intergovernmental support: Support provided to the organization of the CoP-11, including side event(s); Contribution to the preparation of documents and organization of sessions; Liaison with speakers and office holders.

No Fee