Formulation of EU-funded action on Circular Economy “Towards a global partnership on reducing plastic waste and marine litter”

The transition to a more circular economy, where the value of products, materials and resources is maintained in the economy for as long as possible, and the generation of waste minimised, is an essential contribution to the EU's efforts to develop a sustainable, low carbon, resource efficient and competitive economy. Such transition is the opportunity to transform our economy and generate new and sustainable competitive advantages for Europe. The circular economy will boost the EU's competitiveness by protecting businesses against scarcity of resources and volatile prices, helping to create new business opportunities and innovative, more efficient ways of producing and consuming. It will create local jobs at all skills levels and opportunities for social integration and cohesion. At the same time, it will save energy and help avoid the irreversible damages caused by using up resources at a rate that exceeds the Earth's capacity to renew them in terms of climate and biodiversity, air, soil and water pollution. A recent report also points at the wider benefits of the circular economy, including in lowering current carbon dioxide emissions levels. Action on the circular economy therefore ties in closely with key EU priorities, including jobs and growth, the investment agenda, climate and energy, the social agenda and industrial innovation, and with global efforts on sustainable development.

Global objective

The global objective of this assignment is to provide technical assistance for the needs assessment and identification and formulation of the action “Towards a global partnership on reducing plastic waste and marine litter”.

The overall objective of the action to be formulated is to contribute to establishing cooperation with China, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam1 towards strengthening their capacity to design and implement a high standard of circular economy principles based on the EU circular economy package and reducing plastic waste in the environment, including marine litter.

Specific objectives

• to contribute to develop business opportunities to EU companies having technologies, products or services which offer solutions to the relevant countries of implementation.
• to contribute to raise the awareness of the local civil societies (i.e. including business, consumer and environmental associations; aquaculture, fishing and tourism sectors…) on the solutions provided by the circular economy concept in improving resource efficiency and reducing waste.

• Prepare for the mission, including through desk review of background documents and practical arrangements for the mission in close co-operation with the EU Delegations to China, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam;
• Assess the policy and programming frameworks, stakeholders, needs, ongoing initiatives and experience and the work already done by the countries Government in the field of circular economy, plastic waste management and reduction of marine litter. The assessment should include lessons learned, as well as the related programmes of other donors (i.e. UN, OECD, EU Member States) in order to build upon previous achievements and ensure added value for the future EU- China, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam cooperation initiative;
• Prepare a needs assessment report which would serve as basis for the identification and formulation of the project;
• Prepare a detailed project design consisting of: Concept Note, Action Fiche, Logical Framework, indicative Budget and project documents (terms of reference or similar). This should be done in consultation and close cooperation with the EU Delegations and other stakeholders, especially its target groups, and include in particular: China, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

• At least a Master Degree (Academic level) in Public Administration, Social or Political Science, Law or in a field related to the scope of the assignment;
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to write reports in a clear and concise manner in English.

• At least 8 years of professional experience in the field of waste management, resource efficiency or circular economy;
• At least 4 years of professional experience in the field of Resource efficiency;
• At least 3 missions leading project design/identification and formulation in relevant areas;
• Expertise in problem analysis, stakeholders' analysis and project design and logical framework;
• Must possess proven excellent report writing and communication skills and must be able to work effectively with government officials at senior level and civil society organizations;
• Expected to be familiar with environmental aspects in their respective fields of expertise and to collect and report on suitable marine litter data during the mission.

Preferred skills:

• At least 6 years of experience in managing projects relating to Environmental legislation, or related areas preferably in one of the countries;
• Proven experience with EU programming procedures;
• Specific expertise in technical assistance, capacity development and cooperation projects;
• Solid understanding of circular economy concept;
• IT literate, very good data-processing knowledge, and of office automation software;
• Experience in communication, negotiation and dialogue at high level.

• At least a Master Degree (Academic level) in Public Administration, Social or Political Science, Law or in a field related to the scope of the assignment;
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to write reports in a clear and concise manner in English.

• At least 6 years of professional experience in the field of Environment;
• At least 3 years of professional experience in the field of Plastic waste and/or Marine Litter;
• Expertise in problem analysis, stakeholders' analysis and project design and logical framework;
• Must possess proven excellent report writing and communication skills and must be able to work effectively with government officials at senior level and civil society organizations;
• Expected to be familiar with environmental aspects in their respective fields of expertise and to collect and report on suitable marine litter data during the mission.

Preferred skills:

• Minimum 3 years of experience, in an expert/advisory function, on Plastic waste and/or Marine Litter one of in the countries;
• Extensive knowledge of legal framework – related institutional, legislative and regulatory environment as well as the modus operandi of the relevant institutions, both at federal and State levels;
• Specific expertise in technical assistance, capacity development and cooperation projects;
• Solid understanding of international standards relating to the questions of international protection and resettlement;
• IT literate, very good data-processing knowledge, and of office automation software;
• Experience in communication, negotiation and dialogue at high level.