Technical and Scientific Consultant for the Development of the National Chemicals Management System and Associated Capacity-Building Modules

The objective of this consultancy is to provide specialized technical and scientific support for the conceptual, regulatory and functional structuring of the national chemicals management system, with particular emphasis on the development of the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory, and on the organization of the integrated national information platform architecture. The consultant will provide guidance with the organization, systematization and structuring of technical, regulatory and institutional information required for the development and implementation of the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory, including the definition of prioritization methodologies, risk assessment approaches and the mapping of regulatory instruments necessary for its implementation. In addition, the consultant will contribute to the design of the content architecture and navigation structure of the integrated national platform, ensuring coherence across system modules, interoperability between databases, and appropriate organization of information to support regulatory decision-making and access by different user profiles. The consultant’s role will focus on translating scientific, regulatory and institutional requirements into technical and structural specifications to guide system development, without involvement in software coding or direct IT development. Through this approach, the consultancy will contribute to strengthening national institutional capacity and to the implementation of a robust, integrated and risk-based national chemicals management system. The consultant will provide technical support to Output 3 of the project through the delivery of specialized outputs aimed at the conceptual, regulatory and functional structuring of the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory, as well as the development of the architecture of the integrated national chemicals management platform. The consultant's work will encompass the definition of technical and scientific requirements for the system, the identification and organization of core datasets, the proposal of prioritization and risk assessment methodologies, as well as support to the definition of technical and regulatory criteria applicable to the Registry and Inventory, including the mapping of regulatory instruments required for its implementation, in alignment with Law No. 15.022/2024 and with Brazil's international commitments under the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata Conventions. Within the scope of Outputs 3.1 to 3.6 of the Special Programme project, the consultant will also support the consolidation of regulatory governance and system interoperability, including the proposal of solutions for database integration, the definition of regulatory workflows, the structuring of content and navigation of the digital platform, technical support to the definition of regulatory lists and criteria within the context of the Registry and Inventory, as well as the strengthening of international regulatory cooperation. All deliverables shall ensure technical coherence, applicability to the Brazilian context and alignment with international references, contributing to the implementation of a robust, integrated and risk-based national chemicals management system. Under the supervision of the UNEP Brazil Representative, the consultant will: • Participate in technical and coordination meetings with UNEP, Brazilian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and other national institutions involved in project implementation. • Conduct technical consultations with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, experts and institutional partners. • Collect, systematize and analyze technical and regulatory information necessary for the consultancy outputs. • Incorporate feedback from UNEP and partner institutions into the revision and finalization of deliverables. • Ensure that all products are aligned with the project scope, institutional guidelines and the Brazilian regulatory context. • Provide technical and scientific guidance for defining functional, regulatory and data requirements of the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory. • Collaborate in the structuring of information required for system operationalization, including identification of essential data, information sources, and technical parameters for chemical registration, classification and prioritization. • Contribute to the development of methodologies for chemical prioritization and risk assessment based on international best practices and their applicability to the Brazilian context. • Analyze the national regulatory framework applicable to chemicals management and identify regulatory gaps relevant to the implementation of the registry and inventory. • Map regulatory decisions required for system operationalization, including proposing regulatory workflows and drafting regulatory instruments. • Develop technical proposals for specific regulatory procedures, including mechanisms for inclusion, updating and removal of substances from the national registry, in alignment with national legislation and international references. • Structure the content architecture and organization of information within the integrated national chemicals management platform, ensuring coherence across its modules and systems. • Propose solutions for integration and interoperability between databases, institutional systems and external information sources, including the use of APIs and other technical tools. • Develop thematic information hubs that organize regulatory, institutional and technical content, functioning as navigation and reference points within the platform. • Provide recommendations on navigation structure, content organization and access to information, considering different user profiles and institutional needs. • Work in close coordination with system development teams, ensuring the appropriate translation of technical and regulatory requirements into functional specifications. • Bolsters engagement with national institutions, regulatory authorities and technical experts, contributing to the validation of the consultancy outputs. • Provide guidance, when necessary, engagement with international partners and initiatives, contributing to the incorporation of best practices and comparative experiences. • Prepare technical documents, analytical studies and reports related to the expected deliverables, ensuring methodological consistency, technical clarity and practical applicability. • Systematize technical recommendations and lessons learned to inform system development, implementation and continuous improvement. Specification of the work products: The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following products: Product 1: A Technical Assessment Report on the data required to support the pre-population of the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory system. Preparation of a structured technical assessment of the information required to compose the dataset for pre-population of fields within the National Chemicals Registry system, with a focus on defining essential data and identifying relevant information sources necessary for system operationalization. The delivery will include: • Assessment of options for integrating CAS numbers and IUPAC names into the system, including automated query mechanisms, integration with external databases or other technical solutions. • Analysis of the feasibility of using publicly available non-commercial Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), including assessment of functionalities, limitations, costs, legal constraints and suitability for the national context. • Estimation of the expected volume of CAS numbers and IUPAC names to be incorporated or queried in the system, based on international inventories and expected national registration demand. • Identification of the information required to support hazard classification under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), including classification categories and pictograms • Recommendation of standardized lists for (a) general recommended uses, (b) specific recommended uses and (c) categories of use of substances, based on comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks in other jurisdictions. Product 2: Technical report presenting a proposed framework for international regulatory cooperation to support risk assessment processes, including inter-institutional coordination mechanisms. Preparation of a technical study aimed at structuring international regulatory cooperation mechanisms to support the establishment of cooperation arrangements between Brazil and other jurisdictions within the context of the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory, with a focus on the exchange of information, methodologies and regulatory experience. The delivery will include: • Review of international regulatory cooperation practices in at least three jurisdictions, particularly those related to chemicals registry/inventory systems and risk assessment processes • Identification and systematization of key institutional focal points within these jurisdictions or organizations, including regulatory authorities responsible for inventories, risk assessment or classification of chemical substances • Initial engagement with identified focal points to gather information on cooperation opportunities and institutional requirements • Development of a proposal for a generic memorandum of understanding (MoU) or equivalent instrument to be used by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change to establish regulatory cooperation with other countries or institutions in the field of chemicals management. • Preparation of a consolidated technical document with strategic recommendations for the establishment and operationalization of regulatory cooperation in the context of the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory and risk assessment. Product 3: Consolidated Advisory Report containing the list of substances exempt from registration requirements under the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory System Consolidated technical document defining the scientific, regulatory, and functional criteria, including the finalized list of substances to be exempted from registration obligations under the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory system. The delivery will include: • Comparative review of procedures adopted in at least three international jurisdictions for excluding specific chemical substances from registration or inventory requirements • Assessment of the compatibility of these approaches with the Brazilian legal framework, identifying the most appropriate model for national application • Proposal of technical and regulatory procedures for the exclusion of specific substances from the national registry • Preparation of a draft regulatory act (minuta de ato normativo) reestablishing procedures for exemption from registration requirements in the Brazilian context Product 4: A Regulatory Mapping Report identifying the decisions of the Chemicals Deliberative Committee required for the implementation of the National Chemicals Registry. Preparation of a technical document mapping regulatory decisions related to the registry that are pending issuance by the Chemicals Deliberative Committee. The delivery will include: • Mapping of the regulatory acts to be issued by the Chemicals Deliberative Committee in relation to the registry, in accordance with the national regulatory framework • Proposal of a flowchart indicating the logical sequence for the issuance of such regulatory acts • Preparation of up to three draft regulatory instruments (minuta de portaria) related to the identified acts. Product 5: A document containing technical guidelines and recommendations on prioritization methodologies and risk assessment systems supporting the selection of substances for the National Inventory. Preparation of a technical study on methodologies and digital systems for prioritization and risk assessment applicable to chemicals management in the context of the National Chemicals Registry and Inventory. The delivery will include: • Review and analysis of prioritization methodologies and risk assessment systems adopted in at least three countries. • Assessment of the applicability of these methodologies to the Brazilian context. • Proposal of a prioritization methodology for substances based on available data from the National Chemicals Inventory. • Preparation of a technical document containing methodological recommendations and technical justification for the selected approach. Product 6: A document containing the architecture and navigation structure of the integrated national platform for chemicals management systems. Development of a proposed structure for the national chemicals management platform, functioning as a thematic information hub connecting existing national systems. The delivery will include: • proposed structure of the thematic information hub integrating the following institutional systems: (a) the National Chemicals Registry system and the National Chemicals Inventory module; (b) a document repository supporting the implementation of Law No. 15.022/2024 (regulations, manuals, guidance documents, etc.); (c) the Chemicals Import and Export system; (d) the Hazardous Chemicals Transport system; and (e) the Chemical Accidents and Emergency Response system. • Organized links to official institutional systems and regulatory guidance. • Recommended user navigation pathways. • Definition of the platform's content architecture and available resources for users. • Guidance on navigation and access to information for different user profiles. • Recommendations to facilitate the future enhancement of the digital platform.

Home-based

12 months

The 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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). UNEP Country Office in Brazil is a key development partner of the Brazilian government and supports national and sub-national public and private sector institutions and civil society to achieve a more sustainable and inclusive society by creating a new relationship between people and nature, and between economic growth and environmental sustainability. The UNEP Brazil Office, located in Brasilia - DF, works closely with the Brazilian Government and other stakeholders, and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). UNEP Brazil and the Brazilian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) are partners to the operationalization of the project “Strengthening institutional capacity for the environmentally sound management of chemicals in Brazil”, under the Special Programme, in support of the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, the Minamata Convention, as well as the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC). To support this process, UNEP Brazil aims to recruit a consultant with strong expertise in chemical safety, chemical registration systems and regulatory frameworks to provide technical guidance in translating regulatory and scientific requirements into system logic and functional specifications that will support the development of the national chemicals management system. This system will include modules related to chemical registration and inventory, import and export control, transport of hazardous substances, chemical accident notification, and integration with existing national systems. The consultancy will directly contribute to the implementation of Output 3 of the project by supporting the definition of technical requirements, data structuring, and consolidation of regulatory instruments necessary for the operationalization of the system, in alignment with Law No. 15.022/2024 and with the country’s international commitments. The incumbent will work remotely, home-based, and will be supervised by the UNEP Brazil office Representative.

ACADEMIC: • Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, health sciences, environmental sciences, engineering, public policy, data science, information systems, Biology, Chemistry or related fields is required. • Master`s degree in toxicology, chemistry, pharmacy, environmental sciences, public health, regulatory science, Biology, Chemistry or other relevant fields related to chemicals management is desirable. PROFESSIONAL: • Two (2) years of relevant work experience in areas related to chemical safety, toxicology, chemicals management, regulatory science, project management in the chemicals sector, or other closely related fields is required. • Familiarity with chemical registration systems, chemical inventories, or regulatory and institutional frameworks related to chemicals management is desirable. • Ability to translate scientific or regulatory knowledge into technical tools, information systems, or training materials is desirable. • Experience working with or supporting governmental institutions, regulatory authorities, or similar entities is desirable. • Previous experience in technical cooperation projects or collaboration with international organizations is desirable. • Experience within the United Nations system is desirable.

• Fluency in Portuguese is required. • Fluency in English is desirable.

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.