National and International Consultants for Tackling Plastic Pollution in Mekong

with Department of Green Economy/Ministry of environment
Job Announcement

BTDC-ID: 34722
Closing Date:

Announcement Positions

Announcement Description

Plastic pollution has become a major global environmental crisis, harming our ecosystems and threatening the health of humans and all living species. Mekong river is one of the largest river basins in the world extending over 5,000 Km through six countries and providing a home to 230 million people living in the lower Mekong countries. For long time, people have shared culture similarities, and maintained profound traditional neighborhood, inter-connected security and development in the region. However, the Mekong reiver is considered as one of the top 10 major contributors to marine plastic pollution and collectively the ten rivers discharge about 95% of plastic to the world (MRC 2022). Plastic pollution becomes one of the main environmental concerns in the Mekong region because there is a lack of appropriate solution to stop dumping plastic waste and packaging that can flow into the river and end up in the sea during raining season or floods.

In Cambodia, the increasing volume of plastic waste has overcome existing solid waste management systems and 3R practices, resulting in significant leakage into waterways, including rivers and oceans. Urgent action is needed to reduce plastic pollution, especially single-use plastic (SUP) packaging and minimize plastic waste generation while enhancing recycling capacities to address plastic pollution in the Mekong River. Cambodia generates over 4 million tons of waste annually, with plastic waste comprising up to 20% in some cities. In 2015, Phnom Penh alone consumed around 10 million plastic bags daily and produced significant CO2 emissions from plastic waste. Although plastics contribute to various economic sectors, the current linear model of 'take, make, use, and dispose' creates serious environmental and health issues, risking long-term economic sustainability.

Announcement Positions

National Consultant for Conducting Plastic Policy Assessment, Policy Update/Revise, Prepare Communication Tools

Position Summary

Vacancy type: National Consultant (individual Contractor)

Duration of the contract: 70 days over 8 months

Duty station: It is primarily home-based assignment. If provincial travels are required, DSA and other related cost will be covered by the project.

Schedule: 28 May 2025- 06 February 2026. The proposed daily rate remains valid for one year.

Indicative starting date: 28 May 2025

Organizational unit: The Department of Green Economy, General Directorate of Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Environment.

Area of specialization: Green Economy, Circular Economy, Sustainable Consumption and Production, Solid Waste Management, Urban Development, Public Policy, Environmental Study.

General objectives of the contract

The national consultant will join with an international consultant to undertake a comprehensive study to assess existing plastic policies, regulations, and initiatives, proposed recommendations, pilot and update/revise plastic policies, regulation and approaches to address plastic pollution crisis focusing on reducing plastic waste and encouraging sustainable alternatives for communities and the Mekong River in Cambodia. This will contribute to the ensuring Cambodia’s development is clean, green and sustainable. The national consultant will also support the public awareness initiatives and facilitate dialogue on plastic pollution and prevention measures. Additionally, She/He will work with project team of the Department of Green Economy through all/some project outputs. The consultant will report the progress to Project Coordinator/Manager through assignment.

Expectations - Duties, Responsibilities
  • Assessment of Existing Plastic Policies, Regulations and Approaches
  • Conduct a desk review on existing plastic policies and regulations in Cambodia and Mekong countries;
  • Design methods for assessing policy and regulation of plastic in terms of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and co-benefits​​​​;
  • Collect data or conduct in-depth survey on plastic importing tax and fee charge policies on plastic use;
  • Propose community business models for plastic recycling/resource circularity;
  • Conduct consultation workshop with stakeholders, SCP Working Group and Plastic Taskforce on the draft assessment report; and
  • Produce policy recommendations and alternative economic policy instruments for plastic manufacturing, importing, use and recycle.
  • Development/Revision, Piloting and Updating of Plastic Policies, Regulations and Approaches
  • Develop/revise practical plastic policies, regulations, and/or circular economy approaches/ guidelines;
  • Improve policy matrix on reducing plastics use and biodegradable plastic/plastic alternatives
  • Support the selection of one community and one school for piloting practical plastic policies/regulations/circular economy;
  • Support the project team to conduct pilot practical plastic policies, regulations, and circular economy approaches (including 5Rs strategy) in one community in Prey Veng and one school in Tbong Khmum;
  • Support the mid-term and final review of pilot implementation of plastic policies and regulations/circular economy approaches/guidelines;
  • Conduct consultation workshops on the revision of or new policies, regulations, and or circular economy approaches (this can include the practical guideline) with results from pilot and the possibility to embed 1-2 promising plastic measures; and
  • Drafting and final submission of revised and/or new policies, regulations, and or circular economy approaches on national plastic management for final approval.
  • Public Awareness Raising and Dialogue on Plastic Pollution and Prevention Measures
  • Prepare communication tools on circular economy approaches to public and promote the implementation combating plastic pollution;
  • Assist/support the facilitation of five workshops/meetings /training/forum in Phnom Penh and target provinces;
  • Facilitation of policy dialogues/forums/regional workshop on plastic policies (including 5Rs strategy) and practical plastic waste management; and
  • Assist in need assessment of schools/community and provincial town in 6 target provinces and Phnom Penh.
  • Communication Products and Knowledge Sharing
  • Support the development of promotional material and knowledge products on tackling plastic pollution in Mekong River (with the focus on joint action and cooperation of countries in Mekong and China);
  • Design youth contest procedure and selection criteria for plastic reduction and pollution; and
  • Support the organisation of a regional knowledge-sharing event/forum by presenting the lessons learned from establishment of the two-tiered economic policy instruments and circular economy principle to curb the plastic use in Cambodia.
Requirements - Skills, Qualifications, Experience
  • . Education
  • A degree in green economy related, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, Waste management, Circular economy, Economics, Development studies or a related field is required. Advanced degrees (Master’s or PhD) are preferable.
  • Work Experience
  • A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the field of green economy, environmental policy, economics and public policy;
  • Proven experience of completing similar assignments;
  • Proven ability to engage with government agencies, UN agencies, INGOs, Unions, communities, and private sector stakeholders;
  • Past experience with research and analyzing of data is a plus;
  • Experience in coordinating complex projects working with government officials and multi-stakeholders in Cambodia;
  • Strong understanding on circular economy, sustainable consumption and production, waste management, sustainable packaging, and circular environment;
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem-solving abilities.
  • Fluency English and Khmer, proficiency, statistics, Microsoft Office;
  • Commitment to gender equality, and cultural sensitivity;
  • Proven work in areas of waste collection and plastic waste segregation; and
  • Proven work of areas of plastic recycling and production of recycled products.
  • Core competencies
  • Ability to identify and promote effective actions in a highly dynamic and complex environment;
  • Flexible to changing working conditions and willing and able to travel for work purposes;
  • Ability to plan own work, observe deadlines and manage multiple workstreams and conflicting priorities;
  • Very good inter-personal skills and demonstrated capacity to deal with colleagues and counterparts from different backgrounds, particularly government working environment and administration;
  • Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentation, advocacy, facilitation), including the ability to draft a variety of written documents and articulate ideas in a clear and concise style;
  • Integrity and commitment to the mandate and values ​​of DGE (GDPS/MOE).
  • Sound liaison, negotiation and representational skills in local and national level; and
  • Experience in working with government and networking with national and national stakeholders.
  • Languages
  • Fluency in both English and Khmer is required (oral and written).
 
 

International Consultant (Expat) for Conducting Plastic Policy Assessment, Policy Update/Revise and Prepare Communication Tools

Position Summary

Vacancy type: National Consultant (individual Contractor)

Duration of the contract: 70 days over 8 months

Duty station: It is primarily home-based assignment. If provincial travels are required, DSA and other related cost will be covered by the project.

Schedule: 28 May 2025- 06 February 2026. The proposed daily rate remains valid for one year.

Indicative starting date: 28 May 2025

Organizational unit: The Department of Green Economy, General Directorate of Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Environment.

Area of specialization: Green Economy, Circular Economy, Sustainable Consumption and Production, Solid Waste Management, Urban Development, Public Policy, Environmental Study.

General objectives of the contract

The national consultant will join with an international consultant to undertake a comprehensive study to assess existing plastic policies, regulations, and initiatives, proposed recommendations, pilot and update/revise plastic policies, regulation and approaches to address plastic pollution crisis focusing on reducing plastic waste and encouraging sustainable alternatives for communities and the Mekong River in Cambodia. This will contribute to the ensuring Cambodia’s development is clean, green and sustainable. The national consultant will also support the public awareness initiatives and facilitate dialogue on plastic pollution and prevention measures. Additionally, She/He will work with project team of the Department of Green Economy through all/some project outputs. The consultant will report the progress to Project Coordinator/Manager through assignment.

Expectations - Duties, Responsibilities
  • Assessment of Existing Plastic Policies, Regulations and Approaches
  • Conduct a desk review on existing plastic policies and regulations in Cambodia and Mekong countries;
  • Design methods for assessing policy and regulation of plastic in terms of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and co-benefits​​​​;
  • Collect data or conduct in-depth survey on plastic importing tax and fee charge policies on plastic use;
  • Propose community business models for plastic recycling/resource circularity;
  • Conduct consultation workshop with stakeholders, SCP Working Group and Plastic Taskforce on the draft assessment report; and
  • Produce policy recommendations and alternative economic policy instruments for plastic manufacturing, importing, use and recycle.
  • Development/Revision, Piloting and Updating of Plastic Policies, Regulations and Approaches
  • Develop/revise practical plastic policies, regulations, and/or circular economy approaches/ guidelines;
  • Improve policy matrix on reducing plastics use and biodegradable plastic/plastic alternatives
  • Support the selection of one community and one school for piloting practical plastic policies/regulations/circular economy;
  • Support the project team to conduct pilot practical plastic policies, regulations, and circular economy approaches (including 5Rs strategy) in one community in Prey Veng and one school in Tbong Khmum;
  • Support the mid-term and final review of pilot implementation of plastic policies and regulations/circular economy approaches/guidelines;
  • Conduct consultation workshops on the revision of or new policies, regulations, and or circular economy approaches (this can include the practical guideline) with results from pilot and the possibility to embed 1-2 promising plastic measures; and
  • Drafting and final submission of revised and/or new policies, regulations, and or circular economy approaches on national plastic management for final approval.
  • Public Awareness Raising and Dialogue on Plastic Pollution and Prevention Measures
  • Prepare communication tools on circular economy approaches to public and promote the implementation combating plastic pollution;
  • Assist/support the facilitation of five workshops/meetings /training/forum in Phnom Penh and target provinces;
  • Facilitation of policy dialogues/forums/regional workshop on plastic policies (including 5Rs strategy) and practical plastic waste management; and
  • Assist in need assessment of schools/community and provincial town in 6 target provinces and Phnom Penh.
  • Communication Products and Knowledge Sharing
  • Support the development of promotional material and knowledge products on tackling plastic pollution in Mekong River (with the focus on joint action and cooperation of countries in Mekong and China);
  • Design youth contest procedure and selection criteria for plastic reduction and pollution; and
  • Support the organisation of a regional knowledge-sharing event/forum by presenting the lessons learned from establishment of the two-tiered economic policy instruments and circular economy principle to curb the plastic use in Cambodia.
Requirements - Skills, Qualifications, Experience
  • Education
  • A degree in green economy related, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, Waste management, Circular economy, Economics, Development studies or a related field is required. Advanced degrees (Master’s or PhD) are preferable.
  • Work Experience
  • A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the field of green economy, environmental policy, economics and public policy;
  • Proven experience of completing similar assignments;
  • Proven ability to engage with government agencies, UN agencies, INGOs, Unions, communities, and private sector stakeholders;
  • Past experience with research and analyzing of data is a plus;
  • Experience in coordinating complex projects working with government officials and multi-stakeholders in Cambodia;
  • Strong understanding on circular economy, sustainable consumption and production, waste management, sustainable packaging, and circular environment;
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem-solving abilities.
  • Fluency English and Khmer, proficiency, statistics, Microsoft Office;
  • Commitment to gender equality, and cultural sensitivity;
  • Proven work in areas of waste collection and plastic waste segregation; and
  • Proven work of areas of plastic recycling and production of recycled products.
  • Core competencies
  • Ability to identify and promote effective actions in a highly dynamic and complex environment;
  • Flexible to changing working conditions and willing and able to travel for work purposes;
  • Ability to plan own work, observe deadlines and manage multiple workstreams and conflicting priorities;
  • Very good inter-personal skills and demonstrated capacity to deal with colleagues and counterparts from different backgrounds, particularly government working environment and administration;
  • Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentation, advocacy, facilitation), including the ability to draft a variety of written documents and articulate ideas in a clear and concise style;
  • Integrity and commitment to the mandate and values ​​of DGE (GDPS/MOE).
  • Sound liaison, negotiation and representational skills in local and national level; and
  • Experience in working with government and networking with national and national stakeholders.
  • Languages
  • Fluency in both English and Khmer is required (oral and written).
 

How to Apply

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/ information to demonstrate their qualifications to Department of Green Economy, General Directorate of Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Environment or email provided in th contact details.

  1. A Cover Letter Interest and why you consider yourself as the most suitable candidate for this assignment;
  2. Personal CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) and at least three (3) professional references; and
  3. Technical and Financial Proposal that indicates methods/steps, all-inclusive deliverables/ Outputs based on total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. The terms “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal.

Candidates that fail to submit the required information will not be considered. Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Confidentiality and Proprietary Interests

The National Consultant shall not either during the term or after termination of the assignment, disclose any proprietary or confidential information related to the consultancy service without prior written consent.

 
Attachment
 

Contact Details

Office Address
  • Morodok Techo Building, Lot 503, Sangkat Tonle Basak, Khan Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
 
Contact Name
  • Department of Green Economy, General Directorate of Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Environment
 
Email