PV System Management and Recycling Expert

Under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer, Sustainable Investment Unit, Mitigation Branch, Climate Change Division, the consultant will perform the following: 1.Provide international technical expertise and guidance: a. Conduct desk reviews of the best global practices, standards, and regulations on PV system management and recycling b. Provide technical advice and recommendations to UNEP, Iloilo Provincial Government, and other stakeholders to ensure the plan aligns with international standards and circular economy principles c. Facilitate knowledge transfer by preparing technical materials and guidance notes for provincial personnel d. Support UNEP in positioning Iloilo Province as a pioneer in PV system management and recycling in the Philippines 2.Lead technical development of the PV System Management and Recycling Plan a. Draft the Solar PV, Inverter, and Battery Management and Recycling Plan, incorporating sustainability, circularity, and regulatory compliance b. Collaborate with the national consultant to integrate local data, stakeholder inputs, and regulatory context into the plan c. Facilitate technical workshops and consultations to validate findings and recommendations d. Finalize the plan for endorsement by the Iloilo Provincial Government and submission to the Department of Energy 3.Reporting and documentation a. Prepare inception note, draft plan, and final technical report summarizing methodology, findings, and recommendations b. Document technical workshops, consultations, and stakeholder engagements c. Provide UNEP with timely updates on progress, challenges, and technical recommendations 4.Capacity building and stakeholder engagement a. Develop training materials and conduct technical sessions to build capacity among provincial government staff and other stakeholders. b. Conduct training for a minimum of 110 relevant stakeholders in Iloilo Province, focusing on best practices, regulatory requirements, and sustainable approaches for managing, collecting, and recycling PV systems. c. Strengthen partnerships by engaging with government agencies, private sector actors, and donor organizations to promote sustainable disposal practices.. d. Ensure effective communication and collaboration with UNEP, UN Women, the national consultant, and local stakeholders. Performance indicators: Efficient completion of the deliverables as stipulated and evaluated by UNEP for completeness and quality.

Home based

7 months

The UN 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. Our mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UNEP’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, located in Bangkok, geographically serves 41 countries across the region to promote and implement sustainable development solutions. It works in close partnership with key stakeholders including governments, the private sector, civil society, and other UN agencies. The low-carbon transition and social transformation required to solve the climate crisis pose significant opportunities to redress gender inequalities and promote human rights. By placing women and other marginalized groups at the centre, this transition can advance gender justice and occur more quickly with empowered women and marginalized groups acting as change agents. From 2018 to 2022, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) worked together through the first phase of the EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies project to accelerate gender-responsive and human rights-based climate action across Asia and the Pacific with a focus on Bangladesh, Cambodia and Viet Nam. Building on the first phase of the project, UNEP and UN Women are scaling up the work in its second phase starting 2023. EmPower Phase II will leverage a variety of tools, methodologies, and empirical data to implement existing plans and policies for gender-responsive, human rights-based climate action. The project will expand the scope for women and other marginalized and gender-diverse groups to shape decisions and build resilience, including through new access to finance, technology, and renewable energy as a driver of better livelihoods. In EmPower Phase II, UNEP has provided technical support on gender mainstreaming in the Iloilo Province Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy, Plans, and Programmes. As part of this support, UNEP co-organized three in-person workshops to train Iloilo provincial government employees from relevant departments on integrating gender considerations into energy policies and programmes. UNEP also provided inputs for amending provincial energy policies, contributing to EmPower II indicators 1.1.1 and 1.1.2. Building on this successful collaboration, the Iloilo provincial government—particularly the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Officer—has submitted a proposal to UNEP for additional technical support in developing a PV System Management and Recycling Plan. This initiative will serve as a sustainability measure, ensuring that Iloilo Province has a proper management, disposal and recycling system once solar PV systems, inverters, and batteries reach their end of life. Currently, the Philippines Department of Energy does not have a PV system management and recycling Plan. Iloilo Province would therefore become a pioneer—the first in the Philippines to incorporate circularity into the disposal, recycling and management of PV systems. Given the highly technical nature of solar PV end-of-life management and the need to align with global best practices, UNEP requires an International Consultant –PV System Management and Recycling Expert. This consultant will provide specialized technical expertise in designing the PV system management and recycling Plan, drawing on international standards, circular economy approaches, and lessons learned from other countries. The consultant will work closely with the national consultant and local stakeholders to ensure that the plan is technically sound, contextually relevant, and implementable, while also building local capacity for monitoring and execution.

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher preferred) in environmental engineering, renewable energy, waste management, recycling or a closely related field. • Academic background in solar PV technologies, energy storage systems, circular economy, or sustainable energy policy is an asset. • Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in renewable energy systems, with a focus on solar PV, inverters, and battery disposal/management. • Demonstrated expertise in circular economy approaches, hazardous waste management, and sustainable disposal practices for renewable energy technologies. • Proven track record in developing technical guidelines, management plans, or policy frameworks for governments, international organizations, or large-scale energy projects. • Experience working with government departments, international organizations, and intergovernmental initiatives in ASEAN countries; familiarity with the Philippines context is an asset. • Prior collaboration with UNEP or other UN agencies is strongly preferred. • Experience in capacity-building, training, and knowledge transfer to government officials and technical staff. • Working knowledge of gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, or climate-resilient livelihoods is an advantage • Ability to and experience in producing well written, analytical reports in English • Must have sound analytical and communication skills • Ability to work under pressure and time constraints.

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Not available.

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.