Development of Chemicals and Waste Management Indicators and Objectives and Targets

At its 56th meeting in October 2021, IOMC[1] agreed to a project plan for further work on indicators as a basis for work to be done by a working group of interested IOMC Participating Organizations (POs) and interested non-IOMC organizations. 

At its first meeting on 11 January 2022, the working group agreed to establish a contract to undertake the preparatory tasks and phase 1 work, as outlined in this vacancy.

To develop (1) a report presenting existing materials, (2) a report on proposed criteria, and (3) a metadata template, an inventory of existing indicators, as well as an analysis report.

1. Collect, review, and develop an analysis of existing materials related to indicators relevant to chemicals and waste, indicating availability of a standard methodology, metadata, and source / availability of indicator data and any associated criteria.

2.a. Develop a first draft of proposed criteria which could be used for the assessment of existing or development of future indicators.

• their relevance /meaningfulness to the chemicals and waste agenda
• availability (and location/source) of data to create a baseline for and assess progress towards achieving the indicator
• existence of custodian organization, or in case of new indicator(s) a process needed to name a custodian
• comparability of the data (e.g. is a standardized methodology being used?)
• updating of data (e.g. when is data updated?)
• resource/sustainability issues
• transparency - easy access to information and stakeholder participation
• consideration of high-level indicators
• consideration of the experience of other sectors (e.g. biodiversity, SDGs) in developing and using criteria for indicators.

2.b Finalise the proposed criteria based on input from the IOMC Working Group

3.a Develop a metadata template, to enable consistent documentation of existing indicators. (It could be considered that the metadata template follow a (simplified) SDG format, and that it includes a section on DPSIR classification.)

3.b Screen the list of indicators for compliance with the criteria in output 2

3.c Coordinate completion of the metadata template by indicator custodian organizations, for those indicators that have a methodology

3.d Compile the completed templates into a metadata inventory.

3.e Prepare a draft analysis report, comprising: 

• assessment of possible gaps and overlaps in the completed inventory, bearing in mind the draft beyond 2020 targets
• assessment of how the existing indicators can fit the new framework on Chemicals and Waste and SAICM beyond 2020, as well their links to relevant SDGs and to emerging policy issues under SAICM, and to issues identified by GCO II

3.f Finalize the report, based on feedback from the IOMC Working Group.

• Output 1: Provide draft report presenting existing materials with initial list of existing indicators, indicating availability of data source, methodology/metadata and draft outline of the inventory and analysis report by Month 1
• Output 2: Final version of the report presenting existing materials with initial list of existing indicators, indicating availability of data source, methodology/metadata and final outline of the inventory and analysis report by Month 2
• Output 3: First draft report on criteria and finalized report for proposed criteria by Month 2
• Output 4: Provide draft metadata template by Month 3
• Output 5: Provide the list of indicators meeting the criteria by Month 4
• Output 6: Provide the draft metadata inventory and draft analysis report by Month 5
• Output 7: Final inventory and analysis report by Month 6

• Effective communication with the organization and partners;
• Timely and quality preparation of all deliverables;
• High degree of professionalism.

The incumbent will report to the Specialist, Chemicals and Waste Programme Unit. The IOMC Working Group decisions and feedback will provide overall guidance on the work to be done.

a. Education

• Advanced university degree in the field of economics and statistics, or a related field, provided good working experience is demonstrated.

b. Work Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in working on indicators related to international processes, preferably relevant to the topics of environment, health, labour, chemicals and waste.
• International experience.
• Background in / good knowledge of the field of chemicals and waste.
• Experience in developing strategies (with indicators, outputs and outcomes) related to chemicals and waste management (desirable)

c. Languages

• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English.