International Expert on Plastic Pollution and Circular Economy

Result of Service Collaborate with UNEP and the SCE in conducting a comprehensive assessment of Bahrain's single-use plastics landscape, together with evidence-based policy recommendations and a practical implementation roadmap to enable informed decision-making, strengthen the national policy framework, and accelerate the country's transition towards a circular economy for plastics. Work Location Home based Expected duration 9 months-part time Duties and Responsibilities 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. The Regional Office for West Asia delivers advisory services and capacity building support to countries to achieve environmental and sustainable development objectives. The UNEP Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA) provides technical cooperation and policy advice to countries in the region to help achieve their environmental goals and sustainable development priorities. Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges worldwide, posing significant risks to ecosystems, biodiversity, human health, and sustainable development. Single-use plastics (SUPs), including plastic bags, food packaging, disposable cutlery, straws, and beverage containers, represent a substantial share of plastic waste due to their short lifespan and limited recovery after use. The Kingdom of Bahrain has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing plastic pollution through a range of regulatory and policy measures. Recent initiatives include restrictions on non-biodegradable plastic bags, limitations on small plastic beverage containers, and broader efforts to promote sustainable waste management and environmental protection. Nevertheless, SUPs continue to constitute a significant source of plastic pollution, particularly in terrestrial and marine environments. Recognizing the need to strengthen existing policy measures, the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), in collaboration with UNEP ROWA, is undertaking a comprehensive assessment of Bahrain's policy and regulatory framework governing single-use plastics. The assessment will identify strengths, gaps, implementation challenges, and opportunities for improvement while drawing upon international good practices and lessons learned from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab region, and other jurisdictions. The assignment will culminate in the development of evidence-based policy recommendations and an implementation roadmap to reinforce Bahrain's transition towards a circular economy for plastics. UNEP seeks to recruit an International Expert on Plastic Pollution and Circular Economy to provide technical, analytical, drafting, and advisory provision for the assessment of Bahrain's policy and regulatory framework on single-use plastics, the review of international best practices, stakeholder consultations, and the development of evidence-based policy recommendations and an implementation roadmap, in close coordination with the SCE and under UNEP ROWA supervision. The objective of this assignment is to contribute to the work of UNEP ROWA in reviewing the current status of single-use plastics in Bahrain, assessing the effectiveness of the existing policy and regulatory framework, identifying policy and implementation gaps, benchmarking international and regional good practices, and developing a practical policy framework and implementation roadmap to reduce single-use plastics and advance Bahrain's transition towards a circular economy for plastics. The expert will provide technical, analytical, drafting, and advisory maintenance throughout the assignment. Duties and responsibilties: Under the direct supervision of the designated Programme Management Officer at UNEP ROWA, the selected consultant will carry-out, inter alia, the following duties and responsibilities for each of the four projects detailed previously: 2.a. Project Inception and Planning •Prepare an inception report outlining the proposed methodology, workplan, stakeholder engagement approach, data requirements, and timeline for the assignment. •Review all relevant background documents, policies, legislation, reports, and technical materials provided by UNEP and the SCE. •Identify additional information and data requirements necessary to successfully implement the assignment. 2.b. Assessment of the Current Situation •Conduct a comprehensive review of the current status of single-use plastics (SUPs) in Bahrain using available national and international literature, reports, statistics, and other relevant secondary data. •Assess trends in the production, import, consumption, waste generation, collection, recycling, treatment, disposal, and environmental impacts of SUPs, where data are available. •Identify the principal categories of SUP products contributing to plastic pollution and assess existing waste management practices and infrastructure relevant to their management. 2.c. Review of the Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework •Review Bahrain's existing policy, legal, regulatory, and institutional framework governing single-use plastics and plastic waste management. •Assess the effectiveness of existing policy measures, including implementation arrangements, institutional coordination, enforcement mechanisms, compliance, and monitoring systems. •Identify strengths, gaps, challenges, and opportunities within the existing framework that may affect the effective prevention, reduction, and management of SUPs. 2.d. International and Regional Benchmarking •Review international and regional policies, regulatory approaches, strategies, and best practices related to the prevention and management of single-use plastics, with particular consideration of experiences from GCC countries, the Arab region, and other relevant jurisdictions. •Assess the applicability of international good practices to Bahrain, taking into account national institutional, technical, economic, and social conditions. •Identify policy approaches and implementation mechanisms that could inform Bahrain's future policy framework. 2.e. Development and Assessment of Policy Options •Assess the feasibility and potential effectiveness of different policy instruments to reduce SUP consumption and improve the environmentally sound management of plastic waste. •Evaluate options including, but not limited to: - Regulatory restrictions and bans; - Product standards and eco-design requirements; - Economic instruments, including fees and levies on selected SUP products; - Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR); - Deposit-return systems; - Public procurement measures; - Awareness and behaviour change initiatives; - Voluntary agreements with industry. •Assess how fees on selected SUP products could function both as demand-reduction measures and as financing mechanisms to strengthen recycling infrastructure and circular economy initiatives. 2.f. Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation •Identify and engage relevant stakeholders, including government institutions, municipalities, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, academia, recycling companies, and consumer groups. •Prepare consultation materials, presentations, and discussion documents to facilitate stakeholder engagement. •Adopt the planning and facilitation of stakeholder consultation workshops and technical discussions in coordination with UNEP and the SCE. •Document stakeholder feedback and integrate relevant inputs into the assessment, policy recommendations, and implementation roadmap. 2.g. Development of Policy Recommendations and Implementation Roadmap •Develop evidence-based policy options and recommendations to strengthen Bahrain's framework for preventing and reducing single-use plastics, improving their environmentally sound management, and advancing the country's transition towards a circular economy for plastics. •Prepare recommendations addressing policy, regulatory, institutional, technical, financial, and behavioural aspects relevant to SUP management. •Develop a practical implementation roadmap that identifies priority actions, implementation timelines, institutional responsibilities, financing considerations, and monitoring arrangements to facilitate the phased implementation of the recommended measures. 2.h. Reporting and Knowledge Products •Prepare all technical reports, presentations, briefing materials, and other knowledge products required under the assignment in accordance with UNEP's quality standards. •Present findings and recommendations to UNEP, the Supreme Council for Environment, and other relevant stakeholders, and revise all deliverables based on comments received. •Ensure that all outputs are evidence-based, technically sound, clearly presented, and suitable for informing policy and decision-making. 2.i. Coordination and General Responsibilities •Maintain regular communication with UNEP throughout the assignment and participate in coordination meetings as requested. •Work collaboratively with UNEP, the SCE, and relevant stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of all agreed outputs. •Maintain confidentiality of all information obtained during the course of the assignment. •Perform any other related tasks requested by UNEP that are necessary for the successful implementation of the consultancy and are consistent with the scope and objectives of the assignment. Qualifications/special skills An advanced university degree (master’s is required, PhD is an asset or equivalent) in Waste management, Environmental engineering, Environmental policy, Environmental management, Circular economy, public policy, Sustainable development, or another relevant discipline. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. At least 10 years of professional experience in solid waste management, plastic pollution, circular economy, environmental policy, or closely related fields is requied Demonstrated experience in reviewing and developing environmental policies, legislation, strategies, or regulatory frameworks related to plastics, waste i management, or circular economy is required en experience in conducting policy assessments, gap analyses, and developing evidence-based policy recommendations and implementation roadmaps is required Experience in stakeholder consultation and facilitation involving government institutions, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders is required Experience in preparing high-quality technical reports, policy briefs, and strategic documents for governments or international organizations is required Experience working in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the Arab region, or on environmental policy issues in developing countries is highly desirable Previous professional experience with the United Nations system, international organizations, or multilateral environmental programmes is desirable. Languages Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Additional Information Not available. No Fee