Consultant for Mid-Term Review of Integrated Solid Waste Management towards Zero Waste

Result of Service

The consultant to be hired will be provided with UNEP’s specific Terms of Reference (ToR) for Mid-Term Reviews (MTRs) to ensure that the review aligns with UNEP’s evaluation standards, methodologies, and reporting requirements. The consultancy will deliver a comprehensive and independent Mid-Term Review (MTR) report that evaluates the project’s progress, challenges, and effectiveness in achieving its stated objectives. The report will provide evidence-based findings and actionable recommendations to enhance project implementation, ensuring alignment with UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) outcomes and global waste management goals. The Mid-Term Review will achieve the following key outcomes: 1. A clear assessment of the project’s relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability, with a focus on advancing integrated solid waste management (ISWM) and promoting circular economy principles. 2. Identification of key gaps, risks, and barriers affecting project performance, along with targeted solutions to address these challenges. 3. Enhanced stakeholder engagement strategies, with recommendations for ensuring inclusivity and integrating gender considerations into waste management activities. 4. Strengthened guidance on optimizing resource allocation and ensuring alignment with global, regional, and national priorities in sustainable waste management. 5. A finalized Mid-Term Review report, including an executive summary, detailed analysis of findings, and strategic recommendations to guide the project’s direction for the remaining implementation period. This final deliverable will play a crucial role in supporting UNEP’s efforts to reduce environmental pollution, enhance material recovery, and advance sustainable waste management practices worldwide.

Work Location

Remote (Home-based)

Expected duration

The expected duration for this contract is for three (3) months over a four (4) months period, Part-time. (Expected start date is 1 April 2025.)

Duties and Responsibilities

A. Background: (1) Organisation setting: 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 overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. As part of the Industry and Economy Division, UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) works with developing countries to implement sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, with focus on holistic waste management. UNEP-IETC provides technical and advisory support to national and local governments to enhance their use of environmentally sound strategies and approaches. UNEP-IETC also implements in-country demonstration projects using innovative waste prevention and management methods and technologies to improve human well-being, reduce the impact of climate change, increase resilience and create jobs. Working with a wide range of partners and in line with relevant multilateral environmental agreements, UNEP-IETC mission is to serve as a global centre of excellence on environmentally sound technologies with focus on integrated solid waste management. (2) Purpose: The mid-term review of the project is a crucial step to evaluate its implementation, measure its progress against objectives, and provide strategic recommendations for the remaining project duration. This review is aligned with the UNEP Medium-Term Strategy (MTS), particularly its Outcome 3B for 2025, which focuses on improving waste management systems globally, and the subsequent 2026-2029 outcome aimed at reducing waste discharged into the environment. The Mid-Term Review seeks to ensure that the project supports UNEP’s strategic goals and delivers meaningful outcomes for advancing integrated solid waste management (ISWM) toward zero waste. An independent consultant is required to lead this evaluation due to the need for impartiality and specialized expertise. By engaging an external evaluator, the review will maintain objectivity, ensuring that its findings and recommendations are credible and unbiased. The consultant’s role is central to assessing the project’s relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with UNEP’s strategic priorities and broader environmental goals. Their expertise in ISWM and circular economy approaches will ensure a thorough examination of the project’s implementation, including its contributions to reducing open burning and dumpsites, enhancing material recovery, and promoting sustainable waste management practices. The consultant will evaluate whether the project is effectively addressing the challenges faced by developing countries and countries in transition. These challenges include a lack of integrated waste management systems, inadequate stakeholder engagement, and poor handling of waste streams, which exacerbate environmental degradation through increased greenhouse gas emissions and ecosystem damage. The review will assess how the project supports the operationalization of national and city-level waste management strategies, ensuring their alignment with UNEP’s goals of mainstreaming the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R) while fostering a circular economy. Additionally, the Mid-Term Review will explore the effectiveness of the project’s efforts to build capacity, develop regulatory frameworks, and introduce innovative waste management technologies. The consultant will work closely with stakeholders at national and local levels to gather insights and evaluate their roles in implementing ISWM strategies. This will include assessing the project’s ability to engage a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, private sectors, civil society organizations, and informal waste workers. A key focus will be on evaluating the inclusivity of these approaches, particularly in integrating gender considerations and empowering women and youth in waste management activities. The consultant’s responsibilities will also include assessing the project’s knowledge-sharing platforms and outreach activities. By evaluating these efforts, the review will determine whether the project has successfully disseminated valuable insights and facilitated mutual learning among stakeholders. Furthermore, the consultant will assess the progress made in achieving key outcomes, such as the development of waste data systems, the adoption of extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, and the establishment of financial mechanisms to support sustainable waste management. By providing a comprehensive evaluation, the consultant will deliver actionable recommendations that address any gaps or challenges identified during the review. These recommendations will help optimize resource allocation, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and refine implementation strategies to ensure the project achieves its intended objectives. Ultimately, the Mid-Term Review will contribute to the project’s alignment with UNEP’s broader mission to catalyze sustainable development and foster environmentally sound waste management practices globally. Through this review, UNEP aims to ensure that the project’s contributions to improving waste management systems are maximized and that it effectively supports the global transition toward a circular economy. The findings and recommendations from the Mid-Term Review will provide valuable insights to guide future interventions and reinforce UNEP’s leadership in addressing global waste management challenges. Responsibilities: 1. Conduct a Comprehensive Review of Project Documents and Outputs The consultant will analyze all relevant project documents, including the project proposal, work plans, progress reports, and related materials. This review will focus on assessing how effectively the project aligns with its objectives and UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy. The consultant will evaluate the coherence of the project’s design, the relevance of its goals, and the consistency of its implementation with established plans. 2. Engage with Stakeholders to Gather Insights The consultant will conduct interviews, focus group discussions, and consultations with key stakeholders, including project staff, partner organizations, government officials, and beneficiaries. These engagements will provide an in-depth understanding of stakeholder perceptions, identify implementation gaps, and assess the effectiveness of coordination and collaboration efforts within the project. 3. Assess Project Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Sustainability The consultant will evaluate the extent to which the project has achieved its objectives, including improvements in integrated solid waste management practices and the promotion of circular economy approaches. This will include examining resource utilization, cost-effectiveness, and the sustainability of project outcomes beyond its implementation phase. The consultant will also analyze the project’s impact on reducing open burning and dumpsites, enhancing material recovery, and advancing gender equality and inclusivity. 4. Identify Challenges and Provide Actionable Recommendations The consultant will identify key challenges and risks encountered during project implementation, including technical, institutional, and operational barriers. Based on these findings, the consultant will propose actionable recommendations to address these challenges and optimize project performance. This will include strategies to improve stakeholder engagement, enhance resource allocation, and strengthen the implementation of ISWM strategies. 5. Prepare a Comprehensive Mid-Term Review Report The consultant will deliver a detailed mid-term review report that captures all findings, analyses, and recommendations. The report will include an executive summary, an evaluation of progress against project objectives, a discussion of challenges and lessons learned, and a set of practical recommendations for improving project outcomes. The consultant will present the draft report for feedback from UNEP and stakeholders and finalize the document based on their input B. Duties: (A) Objectives: The primary objective of this consultancy is to perform a comprehensive and independent mid-term review of the project. This review will evaluate the project’s progress toward its objectives, its relevance to UNEP’s strategic priorities, its efficiency in resource use, its effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes, and its sustainability in terms of long-term impact. Specifically, the consultant will assess the alignment of the project with UNEP’s MTS, focusing on advancing ISWM practices, promoting circular economy principles, and reducing harmful practices such as open burning and dumpsites. In addition to assessing progress, the consultancy aims to identify gaps, challenges, and risks encountered during the project’s implementation. The consultant will provide actionable recommendations to optimize project activities, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and ensure the achievement of measurable and sustainable outcomes. These findings will guide the project’s strategic direction and ensure its alignment with global waste management goals and UNEP’s mandate. (B) Output expectations: 1. Inception Report: • The consultant will deliver a detailed inception report that outlines the methodology, approach, and work plan for the Mid-Term Review. This report will provide a roadmap for the review process, including a stakeholder engagement plan and a timeline for deliverables. • Deliverable Details: o Submission Format: Electronic submission (editable format, e.g., Word and PDF). o Delivery Timeline: Within the first month of the consultancy. 2. Draft Mid-Term Review Report: • A preliminary report will be submitted summarizing the initial findings from document reviews, stakeholder consultations, and data analyses. This draft will identify key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned in project implementation, with initial recommendations for improvement. • Deliverable Details: o Submission Format: Electronic submission (editable format, e.g., Word and PDF). o Delivery Timeline: By the end of the second month. o Supporting Materials: A draft presentation summarizing findings for UNEP and stakeholders. 3. Final Mid-Term Review Report: • The consultant will produce a finalized report incorporating feedback from UNEP and stakeholders. This report will present a detailed analysis of the project’s performance, including its effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, impact, and sustainability. It will also provide actionable and evidence-based recommendations for optimizing project implementation in its remaining duration. • Deliverable Details: o Submission Format: Electronic submission (editable format, e.g., Word and PDF), accompanied by a summary presentation and a synthesis report. o Delivery Timeline: By the end of the third month. o Supporting Materials: A final presentation summarizing findings for UNEP and stakeholders (C) Performance indicators: 1. Quality of Deliverables: The consultant is expected to deliver high-quality reports that adhere to UNEP’s evaluation standards, structure, and formatting requirements. Reports must be clear, comprehensive, and evidence-based, presenting well-structured analyses of the project’s progress. All findings must be supported by triangulated data and verifiable sources, ensuring credibility. The recommendations must be practical, actionable, and aligned with UNEP’s strategic objectives to enhance project implementation and policy relevance. 2. Timeliness of Deliverables: The consultant must adhere to the agreed-upon timeline, ensuring the timely completion of all deliverables. Each report must be submitted on or before the scheduled deadline, allowing for stakeholder review and feedback integration. If any delays are anticipated, the consultant must provide advance notice with valid justification and propose an adjusted timeline in consultation with UNEP. 3. Stakeholder Engagement and Inclusivity: The consultant will engage with a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and informal waste sector workers. Engagements must be inclusive and participatory, ensuring that perspectives from women, youth, and marginalized communities are adequately captured. The consultant must document stakeholder feedback and integrate relevant insights into the final review report. 4. Actionability and Relevance of Recommendations: The consultant’s recommendations must be practical, realistic, and directly applicable to project implementation. They should be measurable, evidence-based, and linked to UNEP’s strategic priorities in waste management and circular economy. The recommendations must address key gaps, risks, and challenges, offering clear pathways for improving project performance, stakeholder engagement, and sustainabitlity. 5. Integration of Feedback: The consultant must demonstrate responsiveness to comments and suggestions provided by UNEP and key stakeholders. Feedback on the draft report must be carefully reviewed and incorporated into the final version, ensuring alignment with UNEP’s expectations. The consultant must document and justify any revisions made based on stakeholder input. 6. Final Presentation and Knowledge Sharing: The consultant will deliver a concise, well-structured presentation summarizing the key findings and recommendations from the Mid-Term Review. This presentation will be tailored for UNEP staff and relevant stakeholders, ensuring that insights are clearly communicated. The consultant must ensure that the presentation materials are engaging, accessible, and formatted to facilitate decision-making. C. Specific tasks and responsibilities: The consultant will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities to ensure the effective and comprehensive execution of the MTR of the project. The review will be conducted in accordance with UNEP’s evaluation standards, guidelines, and best practices, ensuring an objective and evidence-based assessment of the project’s progress, challenges, and alignment with UNEP’s MTS and relevant global waste management goals: 1. Review of Project Documentation: The consultant will conduct a comprehensive desk review of all relevant project documents to assess the project's alignment with its stated objectives and expected outcomes. This includes: • Analyzing the project proposal, work plans, progress reports, financial reports, stakeholder engagement records, and other relevant documentation. • Assessing the extent to which project activities and outputs are aligned with UNEP’s MTS, work programme priorities, and strategic objectives related to ISWM and circular economy principles. • Identifying any deviations, delays, or challenges in implementation and their potential implications on achieving the project's goals 2. Stakeholder Engagement: The consultant will engage with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure a well-rounded assessment of project implementation. Specific responsibilities include: • Identifying and consulting key stakeholders such as government representatives, private sector actors, civil society organizations, local communities, and informal waste sector workers. • Conducting interviews, focus group discussions, and stakeholder surveys to collect qualitative and quantitative insights on project performance, inclusivity, and effectiveness. • Assessing the project’s approach to stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and participatory decision-making, ensuring that voices from marginalized groups, including women and youth, are adequately represented. 3. Field Assessments (if applicable): If necessary, the consultant may conduct on-site visits to selected project locations to validate reported progress and gain first-hand insights into project implementation. Field assessments will involve: • Observing on-the-ground implementation of ISWM and circular economy interventions at the national and city levels. • Collecting field data, testimonies, and case studies to evaluate the project’s contributions to reducing open burning, phasing out dumpsites, and improving material recovery systems. • Documenting examples of best practices, challenges, and areas requiring further intervention. 4. Data Analysis and Evaluation: The consultant will conduct a rigorous qualitative and quantitative analysis of the project’s performance, focusing on: • Evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, impact, relevance, and sustainability of project interventions. • Assessing the project’s contribution to reducing environmental pollution, enhancing waste management capacities, and promoting circular economy solutions in target countries. Identifying gaps, challenges, and risks in project implementation and proposing evidence-based solutions for course correction where necessary. 5. Preparation of Mid-Term Review Reports: The consultant will develop a series of reports that systematically document the findings of the Mid-Term Review. The deliverables include: • Inception Report: A detailed document outlining the MTR methodology, work plan, timeline, stakeholder engagement strategy, and key review questions. • Draft Mid-Term Review Report: A preliminary report that presents initial findings, key challenges, and recommendations for improving project implementation. This version will be shared with UNEP and key stakeholders for review. • Final Mid-Term Review Report: A comprehensive report incorporating feedback from UNEP and stakeholders, providing a detailed analysis of findings, evaluation of project performance, and actionable recommendations for enhancing impact. The final report will be formatted according to UNEP’s MTR reporting guidelines. 6. Development of Recommendations: The consultant will provide a clear and actionable set of recommendations aimed at optimizing the project’s remaining implementation period. These will include: • Strategic recommendations to enhance the project’s alignment with UNEP’s objectives and national/city-level ISWM strategies. • Operational recommendations for improving project management, stakeholder engagement, and technical interventions. • Guidance on gender mainstreaming and social inclusion, ensuring that the project effectively integrates equity, accessibility, and gender-sensitive approaches in waste management strategies. 7. Presentation of Findings and Knowledge Sharing: The consultant will synthesize key findings and recommendations into an accessible and engaging format for UNEP staff and project stakeholders. This will include: • Preparing and delivering a concise PowerPoint presentation summarizing the main findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Mid-Term Review. • Ensuring that the presentation is tailored for UNEP staff and key stakeholders, allowing for clear communication of results and strategic takeaways. • Facilitating knowledge-sharing discussions to help project teams apply MTR insights to enhance ongoing and future initiatives. 8. Integration of Feedback and Finalization of Deliverables: The consultant will incorporate all relevant feedback from UNEP and stakeholders to refine the final MTR report. This includes: • Reviewing and addressing comments from UNEP and relevant partners on the draft report. • Making necessary revisions to ensure that the final report meets UNEP’s quality standards, evaluation criteria, and reporting expectations. • Submitting a fully finalized report, ensuring all sections are well-documented, evidence-based, and aligned with UNEP’s Mid-Term Review framework

Qualifications/special skills

(1) Academic Qualifications: Masters or equivalent in the field of environmental science, engineering, sustainable development, public policy, or a related field (2) Professional Experience: • At least 7 years of professional experience in integrated solid waste management, circular economy approaches, or related fields • Demonstrated experience in conducting project evaluations, including mid-term or final reviews, using internationally recognized methodologies and frameworks. • Strong knowledge of global, regional, and national waste management policies, including familiarity with UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy and other relevant international environmental conventions. • Proven expertise in stakeholder engagement and capacity building, particularly in developing countries or countries in transition • Experience in integrating gender considerations into waste management strategies and conducting gender analyses is highly desirable • Excellent analytical and report-writing skills, with a track record of producing high-quality, evidence-based evaluation reports.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required, with excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Proficiency in another UN language (e.g., French, Spanish) is an advantage, particularly for engagement in regional contexts.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.