Regional Consultant to provide Technical Support for Marine Litter Activities
Organizational Context
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. This role supports the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) - Programme for the Assessment and Control of Marine Pollution (MED POL) in Athens, Greece. MED POL implements the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols, focusing on pollution assessment, monitoring, and capacity-building, particularly for marine litter management.
Job Purpose
This role serves to provide essential technical support to UNEP/MAP MED POL for the implementation of marine litter activities under the EU-funded Marine Litter MED PLUS Project and the UNEP/MAP Programme of Work and Budget 2026-2027. The consultant will enhance regional cooperation, facilitate technical meetings, conduct capacity-building initiatives, and support resource mobilization efforts. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the prevention and management of marine litter in the Mediterranean, ensuring effective implementation of IMAP Ecological Objective 10 and the Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management.
Responsibilities
The consultant will develop a detailed work plan and methodology for the assignment. Key responsibilities include supporting the organization and preparation of the Regional Cooperation Platform on Marine Litter, strengthening links with the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML), and identifying synergy opportunities. The role involves providing technical and scientific support for CORMON meetings on pollution and marine litter monitoring. Additionally, the consultant will assist in preparing and delivering training workshops, seminars, and regional meetings, developing relevant technical materials. Support will also be provided for preparing project proposals, concept notes, and funding applications, including identifying funding opportunities and resource mobilization mechanisms. Finally, the consultant will offer technical assistance for developing or updating national IMAP-based monitoring programmes for marine litter.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of professional experience in marine environmental management, with a focus on marine litter, solid waste management, circular economy, or pollution prevention is required. Experience in marine litter monitoring and assessment, including knowledge of IMAP Ecological Objective 10, is desirable. Experience supporting regional cooperation, technical meetings, workshops, training, and stakeholder engagement is also desirable, as is experience with project proposals and resource mobilization, particularly within the Mediterranean region.
Skills
Marine environmental management, Marine litter prevention and management, Solid waste management, Circular economy, Pollution prevention, Marine litter monitoring and assessment, IMAP Ecological Objective 10, Regional cooperation, Technical meeting facilitation, Capacity building, Resource mobilization, Project proposal development, Stakeholder engagement, Mediterranean region knowledge.