Environmental Health and AMR Specialist

Deliverables and support provided by the consultant will help UNEP achieve its commitments under the project “Tackling the environmental drivers, sources and challenges of AMR through the One Health approach”.

Home-based / working remotely

The expected duration of the contract is twelve (12) months (full time), at the monthly rate of USD $5,500, for a total of USD $66,000 (sixty thousand United States dollars), corresponding to level B in the UN Administrative Instructions for Consultants and Individual Contractors (ST/AI/2013/4.rev1).

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. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and 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 Chemicals and Health Branch in UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division, 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 Branch also addresses issues of concern highlighted by governments, such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), working to tackle the environmental drivers, sources and challenges of AMR through a One Health approach. This assignment will support global efforts to advance action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by contributing to the effective implementation of environmental dimensions of AMR with a focus in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region, while strengthening strategic partnerships at both regional and global levels. The incumbent will work in close coordination with UNEP’s Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), and will play an active role in supporting the Quadripartite collaboration on One Health and AMR—comprising the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization / Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The Specialist will engage with a broad range of regional stakeholders and partners to catalyze the systems transformation needed to reduce the impacts of current and emerging health challenges at the human–animal–plant–environment interface. This includes contributing to technical cooperation, policy engagement, and coordination processes aligned with the One Health approach across global, regional, and national levels. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Chemicals and Health Branch, Industry and Economy Division, the direct supervision of the AMR Team Lead, Agrifood and Health Unit, Chemicals and Health Branch, Industry and Economy Division, and in coordination with the Regional Subprogramme Coordinator for Chemicals and Pollution Action at UNEP’s LACO, the Specialist will support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of activities that strengthen the integration of environmental dimensions into AMR responses. The consultant will support UNEP’s work by carrying out the following tasks: • Providing technical input to the update of the Global Action Plan on AMR and the development of its M&E framework process making sure that they reflect a One Health approach and current knowledge, including supporting the consultations, contributing to the analysis and drafting of documents as well as to the policy- and endorsement-related processes. • Analysing the responses received to the TrACSS questionnaire, including trends and potential gaps and identification of areas to further develop to collect relevant information on the environmental dimensions of AMR, with a focus in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean. - Technical and policy expertise on the environmental dimensions of AMR and One Health: Provide technical, analytical and policy support on the environmental sources, drivers and determinants of antimicrobial resistance and One Health, including pollution pathways, waste and wastewater management, environmental monitoring, and sustainable production and consumption, ensuring alignment with UNEP’s global mandates and priorities. - Support to the Quadripartite collaboration on AMR and One Health: Contribute to UNEP’s engagement in the Quadripartite collaboration by integrating environmental perspectives into joint processes, technical guidance, publications and coordination mechanisms, and by providing analytical inputs, policy recommendations and technical expertise to Quadripartite initiatives at global and regional levels. - Map Latin American and the Caribbean opportunities and develop closer partnerships with the governments and stakeholders of the Latin American and the Caribbean region and the Quadripartite Alliance: Monitor and analyze key One Health and AMR policies and initiatives and support their implementation in coordination with the Quadripartite Alliance in the Americas. The role includes engaging with institutions across Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen partnerships and advocate for UNEP’s One Health and AMR priorities. It also involves coordinating with stakeholders—including UN agencies, intergovernmental bodies, civil society, academia, and scientific experts—to gather evidence, enable knowledge exchange, and promote coherent regional collaboration. - Mainstream Environmental Dimensions of AMR within One Health, with Focus on MPTF and Related Initiatives: Advancing the integration of environmental dimensions of One Health and AMR in Latin America and the Caribbean by monitoring relevant policy developments, supporting resource mobilization, and contributing to the implementation of the AMR Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) and other UNEP or Quadripartite initiatives as they arise. The role also promotes the incorporation of environmental considerations into national and regional AMR and One Health strategies, fostering multisectoral coordination and ensuring alignment with UNEP’s programmatic priorities. - Regional and country-level implementation of AMR initiatives: Support the design, coordination and implementation of AMR-related activities at regional and country levels, including strengthening national action plans, capacity-building, stakeholder engagement and organization of regional workshops - Management of UNEP’s regional AMR project portfolio: Serve as project manager for UNEP’s AMR portfolio in Latin America and the Caribbean, including regional implementation of global AMR projects and MPTF-funded initiatives, ensuring effective coordination, delivery, monitoring, reporting, partner engagement, risk management, visibility and coherence with UNEP’s One Health and pollution agendas. - Resource mobilization in the Americas region : identify and pursue funding opportunities, developing donor materials and proposals, and support strategic engagement with donors, development partners, The Americas institutions and Member States, in coordination with UNEP’s LACO and RONA Office, to advance financing, partnerships and policy coherence on AMR and One Health. - Global processes, advocacy, knowledge management and reporting: Support UNEP’s engagement in global and regional policy processes related to AMR, One Health, pollution and biodiversity–health interlinkages. Contribute to advocacy, analytical reporting, knowledge exchange and dissemination of UNEP guidance, and perform any other related tasks as required.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, environmental health, veterinary medicine, medicine/public health, biology, environmental engineering, or a closely related area is required. Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental health, environmental sciences, public health, veterinary medicine, international cooperation, or closely related fields is required. Two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: At least three to five years of relevant professional experience in international cooperation, environmental policy, public health, or a related field. Demonstrated experience working on antimicrobial resistance and/or One Health, with a strong focus on environmental determinants such as pollution, chemicals, waste and wastewater. Proven experience providing technical and policy support in multidisciplinary and multisectoral contexts at global, regional and/or national level. Experience in project or programme management, including coordination with multiple partners, monitoring, reporting, and implementation support. Demonstrated capacity to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including governments, UN agencies, international organizations, and donors. Experience with resource mobilization, donor engagement, or proposal development is desirable. Working experience in the Latin America and the Caribbean region is an asset. Experience working within the United Nations system, particularly UNEP, and/or in collaboration with interagency mechanisms (e.g. One Health or Quadripartite processes) is an asset. Special skills/knowledge: Excellent communications skills (written and oral), fluent command of English and Spanish, and ability to craft and deliver messages in an articulated manner. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to build robust relationships with key strategic partners, including other United Nations organizations.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English and Spanish is a requirement. Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.

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.