Integrated Stockholm Convention Toolkit to Improve Transmission of Information under Articles 07 and 15

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Technical Expert

1.0       BACKGROUND

International recognition that Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) posed major and increasing threats to human health and the environment, led to the adoption of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (SC Convention) in May 2001 in Stockholm, Sweden.  The Convention which entered into force on May 17, 2004 is a legally binding, international commitment to take measures to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of POPs.  Saint Lucia acceded to the SC on October 04, 2002.

The Department of Sustainable Development of the Ministry of Education, Innovation Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, Saint Lucia, with the support of the Basel Convention Coordinating Centre, Stockholm Convention Regional Centre for Capacity Building and Transfer of Technology hosted by Uruguay (BCCC-SCRC-LATU) is executing in-country activities within the framework of the UNEP/GEF project Integrated Stockholm Convention toolkit to improve the transmission of information under Articles 07 and 15 (GEF ID 9884).

The objective of the project is to facilitate the development, transmission, access and use of data contained in National Implementation Plans (NIP, Article 7) and National Reports (Article 15). The NIPs and National Reports submitted to the Stockholm Convention’s Secretariat under Articles 7 and 15 respectively, are the key data sources used for evaluating the effectiveness of the implementation of the SC at both the global and national levels.  The effectiveness evaluation process conducted by the Secretariat identified the limited availability of data from national reports and NIPs as a key challenge in undertaking the effectiveness evaluation. It was not possible to discuss trends as the quantitative information on POPs reported by Parties, was extremely limited.

An integrated electronic toolkit is to be developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and tested by project pilot countries, including Saint Lucia. In order to facilitate testing of the integrated electronic toolkit, the Department of Sustainable Development is seeking to contract a suitably qualified and experienced Technical Expert to undertake the needed preparatory work to support piloting of the integrated toolkit for transmission of information under the Stockholm Convention.

2.0      OBJECTIVE OF WORK AND ACTIVITIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN

The ultimate result of this service is the identification of POPs data gaps (quantitative and qualitative) to be further addressed at the national level and the collection of POPs data (quantitative and qualitative) for the integrated electronic toolkit testing.

Working in close collaboration with the Department of Sustainable Development, the Technical Expert will perform the following activities:

Activity 1: Development of National Gap Analysis for Quantitative and Qualitative

                   POPs Data

Update and/or revise the national gap analysis (carried out by UNEP) to assess the information included in the National Implementation Plan(s) and National Reports already submitted by Saint Lucia, highlighting gaps on POPs qualitative and quantitative data;

 Activity 2: POPs data collection and/or revision

Undertake revision and/or collection of POPs data (quantitative and qualitative).

3.0       SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

For Activity 1 - Development of National Gap Analysis for Quantitative and Qualitative

                            POPs Data:

1. 1 Assess the information included in the national reports submitted by Saint Lucia to the Stockholm Convention Secretariat, highlighting gaps on POPs qualitative and quantitative data;
2. 2 Assess the information included in the National Implementation Plan(s)  submitted by Saint Lucia to the Stockholm Convention Secretariat, highlighting gaps on POPs qualitative and quantitative data;
3. 3 Highlight the differences between the information included in the national reports and the information presented in the National Implementation Plan(s);
4. 4 Provide recommendations for future streamlining of the data revision/collection process under the national reports and the National Implementation Plan(s), with focus in addressing the identified data gaps (qualitative and quantitative data);
5. 5 Prepare a PowerPoint presentation and deliver it at a national workshop to be organized in Castries, Saint Lucia.

For Activity 2 - POPs data collection and/or revision:

               2.1  Conduct training for selected team members on newly listed POPs inventories (for POPs listed within the Stockholm Convention in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017) and Stockholm Convention reporting obligations;

               2.2  Map out potential stakeholders either owning the data or contributing to POPs data revision/collection;

               2.3  Identify data revision/collection methods: desk reviews, questionnaires etc.;

            2.4 Hold, if necessary, POPs data revision/collection team working meeting(s);

           2.5 Conduct POP data revision/collection process;

           2.6 Identify compilation methods of data revised/collected at the national level; 

           2.7  Identify/set-up the methods for validation and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) of data revised/collected;

          2.8  Undertake quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) and validate the POPs data revised/collected.

5.0       SUBMISSION OF DELIVERABLES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The following provides a schedule for the specific deliverables to be provided to the Department of Sustainable Development in relation to the work to be undertaken. Timelines may be reviewed and modified in consultation with the Department of Sustainable Development.

Performance indicator: High-quality information prepared within agreed time frames.

6.0 QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree in environmental sciences, chemical engineering, or similar is required. A first-level degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 
• Experience in conducting stakeholder meetings, desktop reviews and inventories.
• Experience in conducting assessments related to the Stockholm Convention desired.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in implementation of Stockholm Convention (in particular with POPs inventories and reporting) or other chemicals related Conventions would be an asset.

Competencies

• Strong analytical and technical skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent writing and reporting skills
• Meticulous approach to work
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

7.0       DURATION

 The Consultant/Technical Expert will be contracted for a period not exceeding three (3) months starting at the date of the signature of the contract.  

8.0       REMUNERATION

A total gross fee to the Consultant(s) inclusive of all taxes will be as agreed on and mentioned within the contract based on the financial proposal developed and negotiated cost for this consultancy.

Payment shall be made in instalments based on key deliverables identified within the contract and agreed on between the Department of Sustainable Development and the Technical Expert.

10. SUBMISSION

Bidders are required to make their submissions via email to the Department of Sustainable Development via email to nousaintlucia@gmail.com no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2020. The following documents are to be included with the submission:

1. Technical Proposal describing how the assignment will be approached and completed This should include the Technical Expert’s methodology and work implementation plan and qualifications and experience of personnel;
2. Curriculum/ Curricula Vitae (CVs) of key personnel;
3. Financial Proposal, which is to be separated into the Consultant’s fees in United States (US) Dollars, matched up against key milestones and deliverables