Industrial Pollution Consultant - retainer position

Nordic Support for Progress of North Macedonia

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency has decided to fund a project “Support to progress in North Macedonia - Government reform agenda in the EU-accession process” to be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The objective of the project supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) is to support the enhancement of the EU integration capacity of the Republic of North Macedonia by providing technical assistance to government institutions during the accession period.

SIDA has allocated funding for the implementation of the project in Macedonia during 24 months.

The Overall Objective of the SIDA support is to contribute to, and effectively communicate to the public, the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, accession negotiations and government reform priorities in the Republic of North Macedonia.

Project interventions are aimed towards communicating the benefits of the EU accession process to the general population, as well as to involve the civil society and media throughout the accession phases. All project activities will be undertaken in partnership with the Government of Macedonia, in cooperation with the national institutions, with the aim of allowing them to adopt/adapt the legal requirements and, where relevant, EU accession criteria.

This will ensure national ownership and support the development of national capacities.

Background Information – relevant for the assignment

The purpose of Result 1 “Supporting the government reform agenda in the accession process” is to provide support to relevant national institutions in charge of alignment of national legal acts with the EU acquis and to contribute to further building of capacities of the central coordination structures and relevant national structures for successful carrying out of the screening process (explanatory and bilateral screening). The overall process is coordinated by the Secretariat for. European Affairs (SEA), as main coordination body in the accession negotiation process.

The National Programme for Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA), as key strategic and planning document in the accession negotiation process is planned, monitored and updated on regular basis. The NPAA is prepared and monitored by established 33 working groups, for each chapter of the acquis.

The NPAA comprises a comprehensive analysis of the EU Acquis, listing the short- and medium-term priorities in the planning reforms, policies and strategies, plan and schedule for harmonization of national legislation with the Acquis, administrative structures for implementation of legislation in terms of capacity building, establishment new/or restructuring the existing, human resource development and training needs, as well as financial resources. The NPAA is revised every year, taking into account the European Commission Progress Reports and possible updates of the EU acquis. The NPAA is good base for the preparation of the administration for the screening process and preparation of negotiation positions in the negotiation process.

The Ministry on Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP) is responsible for the national environmental and climate policy and it is leading the approximation process for the Chapter 27 Environment. The NPAA, (revision 2019 - 2021), reflected in the Legal Agenda of the Government for 2019, envisages finalization and adoption of several laws in the areas of: Waste Management; and Industrial Pollution control and risk management.

Industrial Pollution control and risk management: Draft version on the Law on Industrial Emissions has been prepared. In the law transposition of the EU Directive on Industrial Emissions 2010/75/EU is envisaged as well the EU Directive 2015/2193 on Medium Combustion Plants. The Law is planned to be adopted in the last quarter of 2019. Draft Law need to be reviewed in terms of legal compliance with the Directive on Industrial Emission Directive and with other environmental legislation (water, waste, air, nature); normo-technically text to be improved; and the Directive 2015/2193 on medium combustion plants needs to be transposed.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Industrial Pollution Consultant will provide legal and technical expertise to the MoEPP, and will review and revise the text of the draft Law on Industrial Emission.

Responsibilities/ activities

• Conduct review and technical revision of the draft Law on Industrial Emission:
  • Provide technical expertise for achieving compliance with EU principles;
  • Contribute in transposition of the EU Directive 2015/2193 on Medium Combustion Plants in the draft Law on Industrial Emissions;
  • Contribution in update of the Table of Concordance of the EU Directive 2015/2193 on Medium Combustion Plants.
• Participation in workshops, public hearing organized by the MoEPP on the text of the Law on Industrial Emissions.

Education

• Advanced University Degree (master’s) preferably in Law, Environmental studies, Engineering, Chemistry, or other relevant discipline is required;
• University Degree (Bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Work Experience

• Five years with master’s degree or seven years with bachelor’s degree of experience in implementation of environmental legislation related to technical knowledge and expertise is required
• Knowledge of relevant EU acquis on environment is required
• Knowledge of the Macedonian procedures and system for environmental integrated permits is required
• Knowledge of government and administrative structures in North Macedonia for implementation of the acquis, processes, and key strategic documents related to the EU accession negotiation process would be an asset
• Working with /for operational structures responsible for issuing environmental integrated permits would be an asset

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Macedonian (speaking, reading and writing) is required

• Good analytical skills
• Good reporting skills
• Computer literacy

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.