UNEP Consultancy Opportunity: Strengthening Guatemala’s Capacity for Managing Controlled Substances

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the world’s leading environmental authority, is offering an exciting consultancy opportunity to support Guatemala in managing banks of used and unwanted controlled substances. This project aims to enhance the country’s technical and institutional capacity in preparing a comprehensive inventory, and to develop an actionable plan for collection, transport, recycling, reclamation, and safe disposal in line with ExCom Decision 91/66.

Work Location

Home-based

Duration

5 months

About UNEP and the Montreal Protocol

UNEP sets the global environmental agenda, facilitates the implementation of sustainable development, and acts as an advocate for the environment worldwide.

One of UNEP’s landmark initiatives is the Montreal Protocol, in effect since 1989, which regulates ozone-depleting substances (ODS). With the Kigali Amendment, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) were added to the list of controlled substances due to their significant impact on global warming.

Despite progress, large banks of used and unwanted controlled substances continue to accumulate, releasing harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Managing these banks effectively is a major challenge, particularly for developing countries. This consultancy will play a key role in supporting Guatemala to create an inventory of such substances and an action plan for their safe and cost-effective disposal.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will provide technical guidance and support to Guatemala’s Government Officer and international consultants, in close collaboration with the regional Compliance Assistance team for Latin America.

Key responsibilities include:

• Planning & Coordination: Provide technical input for the work plan on the inventory and action plan; organize and execute a launch event with national stakeholders.
• Assessment & Inventory Development: Assess existing data on controlled substances, the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) servicing sector, and infrastructure for recovery, recycling, and disposal. Prepare the national inventory through surveys and field visits; analyze data and draft the report.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Organize outreach events to present the results of the inventory and the final action plan.
• Technical Guidance: Support in drafting the action plan with policies and activities for sustainable management; attend bi-weekly progress meetings with the project team.

The consultant will work under the supervision of the OzonAction Programme Officer from UNEP’s Latin America Region.

Qualifications and Special Skills

• Education: Master’s degree in Mechanical/Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or related fields. A first-level degree with 7 additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s.
• Experience: At least 5 years of experience in environmental project coordination; expertise in data collection, statistical analysis, and surveys (required). Previous UN experience, work on Montreal Protocol-related matters, database design, and environmental inventory projects are strong assets.
• Knowledge: Waste management legislation and experience in projects requiring special treatment of waste (desirable). Prior collaboration with government officers in the Latin American region (highly desirable).
• Languages: Fluency in oral and written Spanish is required.

Important Information:
The United Nations does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing, or training). UNEP does not request bank account information from applicants.

✨ This consultancy offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to ozone protection, climate action, and sustainable environmental management in Guatemala while working under UNEP’s global mandate.