Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic (the)
Closing date: 16 Nov 2017
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title: Legal and Institutional Capacity Expert
Project title: Development of Minamata Initial Assessment and Updating of National Action Plan for Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining in Lao PDR
Duration: 4 months
Date required: December 2017
Duty station: Vientiane, Lao PDR
Counterpart: Artisanal Gold Council (AGC) and Pollution Control Department (PCD) under the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MONRE)
BACKGROUND
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty adopted to protect human health and the environment from the toxic effects of mercury and mercury compounds. Since 2013, Lao PDR has taken significant steps towards the ratification of the Convention and has confirmed its engagement with its ratification through a notification letter sent by the Government of Lao PDR to the Minamata Secretariat.
The treaty has a phased approach to reduce, and where possible, eliminate mercury use in key industrial sectors. Provisions of the Convention include deadlines established for supply sources and trade, mercury-added products, and manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used.
As the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector is a major source of mercury emission and release in the atmosphere causing environmental pollution and severe health risks, Article 7 of the Convention requires countries which determine that ASGM activities are more than insignificant in their territory to develop a national action plan (NAP) to reduce, and where feasible, eliminate the use of mercury and mercury compounds within three years of the treaty entering into force.
This project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), will strengthen Lao PDR’s national capacity to ratify the Minamata Convention and implement it effectively, through the development of a Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) and a National Action Plan (NAP) to reduce, and when feasible, eliminate mercury use, emissions and releases in the ASGM sector. The project lasts two years and is developed by the Pollution Control Department under the MONRE, the United Nations Environment (UN Environment), and the Artisanal Gold Council (AGC).
MAIN DUTIES AND EXPECTED OUTPUTS/OUTCOMES
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the National Project Coordinator (NPC) based in Vientiane, Lao PDR, the Legal and Institutional Capacity Expert (LICE) will be responsible to develop a national situation analysis, identifying existing relevant domestic legislation and identifying legal or administrative actions that may be needed. The expert is expected to:
· Collect and review existing national structures, policies, laws, strategies, regulations and programmes related to mercury in the country, as well as national policies and regulations which are not specific to mercury, but which have a direct relevance to the management of mercury or the implementation of the Minamata Convention on mercury.
· Identify gaps and barriers to the ratification and implementation of the treaty and the regulatory reforms needed, in consultation with policy makers in the country
· Develop a regulatory framework, including a gap analysis report and recommendations of needed mercury regulations to comply with the treaty, taking into account the vulnerabilities of different gender groups.
· Assess the institutional capacity on mercury management (technical, administrative, infrastructure and regulatory) in the country, taking into account the provisions of the treaty
· Identify existing national institutions and stakeholders (e.g. ministries, agencies, institutions, non-government institutions, private sector stakeholders) and their roles.
· Analyze possible gaps, such as capacities and institutions needed to implement the treaty and to ensure the sound management of mercury.
· Participate in weekly meetings/calls with the NPC.
· Submit final report to the NPC on the activities carried out.
QUALIFICATIONS
· Advanced university degree in law. At least 7 years working in the domain
· Good knowledge of national environmental legislation and operation of governmental institutions in Lao PDR
· Experience working in and/or with government bodies
· Good understanding of the Minamata Convention on Mercury
· Experience with Multilateral Environmental Agreements (e.g. Basel, Rotterdam and/or Stockholm Conventions) is an asset
· Comfortable managing and using Microsoft Office suite
LANGUAGE
Fluency in written and spoken Lao and English is required.
How to apply:
Expressions of interest must be received by 16 November 2017 (Thursday), no later than 17:00 (Central European Time).To apply to this position please send a cover letter and CV, in English, stating the job title in the subject line, tocareers@artisanalgold.org. For any questions concerning the position, please contact prosenbluth@artisanalgold.org.