Regionalization and Intermunicipal Arrangements Consultant

Organizational Context

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) promotes sustainable urban development and adequate housing for all. Its Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. UN-Habitat actively supports the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro in strengthening urban resilience and implementing sustainable development agendas, focusing on inclusive and sustainable urban policies.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to support the review and enhancement of the Rio de Janeiro State Solid Waste Plan (PERS-RJ) by focusing on territorial, institutional, and operational aspects of solid waste management. The consultant will contribute to developing strategies for regionalization and intermunicipal arrangements, ensuring alignment with national and international sustainable development goals. The role involves in-depth analysis of existing systems, identification of potential regional groupings, and assessment of various management models to strengthen the state's policy on solid waste, promoting more effective, sustainable, and socially equitable urban development.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a Technical Work Plan for the consultancy. Contribute to territorial and institutional diagnostics of solid waste management systems in Rio de Janeiro State, analyzing service patterns, infrastructure, and waste dynamics. Conduct diagnostic analyses of existing intermunicipal arrangements, mapping infrastructure and waste flows. Identify and characterize potential territorial groupings for regionalized solid waste management. Assess the feasibility of alternative regionalization models, including public-private partnerships. Analyze the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Plan and its integration with state-level dynamics. Produce technical inputs for regionalization scenarios, governance arrangements, and implementation models. Contribute to defining guidelines, targets, and monitoring mechanisms for regional organization within PERS-RJ. Ensure technical quality and consistency of all products, including reports, maps, and datasets. Support participatory processes and present results to stakeholders.

Work Experience

Requires a minimum of eight years of professional experience in territorial planning, regionalization of public services, sanitation, solid waste management, or intermunicipal governance. Proven experience in preparing or reviewing strategic planning instruments in Brazil, particularly solid waste or sanitation plans, is essential. Experience in institutional articulation with public authorities and stakeholders involved in regionalized service provision is also required.

Skills

Strong analytical and technical writing skills. Ability to analyze territorial arrangements, governance structures, and operational models for solid waste management. Experience with institutional stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams. Strong organizational and time management skills. Proficiency in Windows environments, including Microsoft Office, Outlook, and Teams. Fluency in Portuguese is required; working knowledge of English and Spanish is desirable.

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