Electric Vehicles Life-cycle Management and Chemicals Expert

Result of ServiceThe 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 governments, local authorities and industries to develop and adopt policies, strategies, 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. The Knowledge and Risk Unit of the Chemicals and Health Branch promotes scientific approaches and knowledge for the sound management of chemicals including through implementation of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions. The Knowledge and Risk Unit gathers, compiles and analyses state-of-the-art information and data, including through monitoring activities, inventories and assessments, to allow policymakers to make informed decisions on the sound management of chemicals and waste. The Unit executes projects and covers topics related to lead in paint, persistent organic pollutants, highly hazardous pesticides, chemicals in products, among others. The Unit also addresses issues of concern highlighted by governments, such as pharmaceutical pollutants, antimicrobial resistance, endocrine disruptors, and assists in implementing mandates received through UNEA. The Knowledge and Risk Unit is supporting Sustainable Mobility Unit in executing some of the activities under the UNEP/GEF project “Global Project to Support Countries to Upscale Integrated Electric Mobility Systems”. Work LocationHome-based / Working remotely Expected duration100 working days over 8 months period Duties and ResponsibilitiesUnder the overall supervision of the Chief, Chemicals and Health Branch, Industry and Economy Division, and the direct supervision of the Officer-in-Charge, Head of Knowledge and Risk Unit, Chemicals and Health Branch, the Consultant will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Technical report on EV recycling and end-of-life management • Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature, case studies, and global best practices on EV recycling and end-of-life management, with a particular focus on LMIC contexts, which gathers information on the followings: o Harmful chemicals—including POPs—present in batteries and other EV components, covering the most common battery types used today and anticipated over the next two decades (e.g., lithium-ion, lead-acid, and solid-state batteries). o Expected volumes of these chemicals in LMICs, drawing on available projections such as used-EV export scenarios from the UC Davis study commissioned under the GEF-7 electric mobility programme. o Overall toxicity levels and associated environmental and public-health risks linked to these projected volumes. o Hazardous waste streams associated with EV batteries and components, including POPs, heavy metals, and other critical chemicals/pollutants. o The extent to which toxic substances, including POPs, can be safely recycled or contained, and identify potential risks of contamination at or near collection and recycling facilities. o Key challenges, risks, and gaps in current EV recycling and disposal practices in LMICs. • Provide recommendations for safe, environmentally sound, and socially responsible EV end-of-life management, including technical, policy, and regulatory considerations. • Develop an outline and obtain UNEP’s input prior to proceeding. • Draft the final technical report for UNEP’s review and finalize it based on feedback. • Develop a training material based on the report findings. 2. Selection criteria and project monitoring methodology • Develop clear, practical criteria for evaluating and selecting projects or interventions focused on end-of-life management of EV batteries, from a perspective of hazardous waste management, based on the findings from the technical report described under activity 1. • Design a monitoring methodology to track the environmental, social, and technical performance of such projects, including key indicators and reporting mechanisms. • Consult with UNEP and relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with international conventions and national priorities in LMICs. • Prepare documentation and guidance notes for UNEP’s use in project selection and monitoring. 3. Inputs to potential interventions & ESMF • Review and provide inputs to UNEP’s list of potential interventions for EV hazardous waste management, ensuring relevance to POPs and other critical chemicals. • Contribute to the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) by identifying key environmental, social, and health risks, and suggesting mitigation measures for EV end-of-life interventions. • Ensure recommendations are practical for implementation in LMICs and aligned with UNEP policies and international standards. 4. EV Battery Management Model Law Guidance Module • Draft a module for inclusion in UNEP’s Model Battery Management Law Guidance Toolkit, covering EV battery manufacturing, collection, use, transport, storage, recycling, and disposal, with attention to hazardous chemicals and POPs. • Align the guidance module with international best practices, existing conventions (Stockholm, Basel, Rotterdam), and LMIC regulatory contexts. • Incorporate lessons from the technical report, monitoring methodology, and ESMF inputs to ensure consistency across outputs. • Prepare a draft module for UNEP review, which is also compatible with UNEP’s regulatory toolkit on used EVs and Battery end-of-Life and finalize based on feedback. 5. Coordination and reporting • Regularly liaise with UNEP project team to provide updates on progress and address queries. • Incorporate UNEP feedback at each stage to ensure outputs meet technical, policy, and operational expectations. • Deliver all outputs in a timely manner according to the agreed work plan and deadlines. Output expectations: • A technical report on used electric vehicles (EV) recycling and end-of-life EV management, with a focus on hazardous waste management related to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and potentially other critical chemicals/pollutants in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). • Selection criteria and project monitoring methodology with regards to hazardous waste management related to POPs and potentially other critical chemicals/pollutants. • Input to the list of potential interventions & Environmental and social sustainability framework (ESMF) with regards to hazardous waste management related to POPs and potentially other critical chemicals/pollutants. • An EV batteries management model law guidance module, part of the UNEP Model Battery Management Law Guidance Toolkit. Performance indicators: The consultant will be evaluated on the deliverables submitted electronically in word, ppt and excel formats as appropriate. Above listed tasks successfully delivered in a comprehensive, quality driven and timely manner, including satisfactory acceptance by the Officer-in-Charge, Head of the Knowledge and Risk Unit. Qualifications/special skillsMaster’s degree or equivalent in a field related to chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental science, waste management, materials science, or a closely related discipline. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (2 additional years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in the environmental, chemical, waste management, or sustainability sectors, including expertise in EV battery chemistries, battery recycling processes (mechanical, hydrometallurgical, and pyrometallurgical), end-of-life management, and circular economy approaches, with familiarity in life-cycle analysis and material flow assessments is required. Proven knowledge of chemical risk assessment, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals, and other critical chemicals associated with EV components, as well as environmental and health impact mitigation is required. Experience in assessing and advising on collection systems, dismantling operations, and disposal pathways for EV batteries and e-waste in practice is required. Excellent analytical, communication, and technical writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex technical, environmental, and policy concepts into clear, actionable reports is required. Strong understanding of international conventions and regulatory frameworks (Stockholm, Basel, and Rotterdam Conventions) and national/regional hazardous waste and e-waste management policies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is desirable. Experience working in multicultural and international environments, ideally including exposure to the UN system, intergovernmental organizations, or multi-stakeholder initiatives is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in written and spoken English is required; Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.