International Consultant, Data base expert

UNDP and the Government of Azerbaijan represented by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) are implementing the Solid Waste Management Improvement Project (SWMIP). The project’s objective is to improve solid waste management in Azerbaijan by developing appropriate policies, bringing appropriate management tools and methods, and by providing the necessary capacity building support to MENR in order to enable this ministry to:

• formulate the necessary additional sector laws, regulations, norms and standards;
• develop Recycle, Recovery and Reuse (RRR) strategies and initiate programs and regulations that will stimulate and enhance RRR activities in Azerbaijan;
• carry out a field investigation and data collection program that will enable MENR to establish a SWM (Solid Waste Management) data base;
• prepare planning guidelines for SWM facilities, and finally
• identify a suitable local demonstration project.

Until now the Project has undertaken the following actions and steps:

• The team of local and International experts analyzed the existing legislation and prepared a report on the existing policy and policy tools. The Strategy of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle of SW have prepared. At the moment with the help of international experts the project team is in the process of finalizing proposals for improvement of the legislation, and on the strengthening of  legal basis for economic incentives and for cleaner technologies.  
• The team of local experts on municipal wastes has been formed and conducted detailed researches on per capita waste generation rate and waste composition
• SWM has been conducted in the regions, country capacity and needs assessment in this field have been studied.
• Prepared Review of existing data in the Statistical Committee and Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources on solid waste generation and content of waste in the country.
• The laboratory analysis of pollutants concentration and content of wastes in Balakhani, Ismayilli and Sheki landfill areas, and also assessment of microbiological situation in all regional landfills were conducted.
• The questionnaires were prepared for the general population and for the policy-implementers to collect the respective data and to get feedback on the existing system from both the population and from those directly involved in the management of the SW.

In addition to this project jointly implemented by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in partnership with UNDP, there are two more SWM-related projects, implemented by other organisations. In the World Bank-funded project creation of Data-base is envisaged, however, it will cover only Baku area and will consider only municipal solid wastes. To look for possible overlap and coordination, the consultant will conduct  a comparative analysis of UNDP and WB projects within the framework of current assignment.
 

Objective:

This Terms of Reference is intended for an international consultant who is expected to provide advisory and direct technical services to the Project Team on development of the waste management data-base (DB), preparation of the guidelines for management of DB and training of the personnel in managing this DB.

Scope of the assignment: The expert is expected to provide a consultancy and direct technical services to the Project Team and to the local expert teams in the following:

• Conduct a comparative analysis of UNDP and WB waste data-base components, identify the content and scope of activities for UNDP data-base component.
• Select and systematize results (in accordance with EU Waste List) obtained as part of implementation of Components 1 and 2 of the Project in cooperation with the local experts.
• Outline the structure and interface of the waste management data-base for Azerbaijan.
• Develop Azerbaijan’s interactive map for electronic database in Adobe Flash or similar formats, facilitate getting additional information via using XML or PHP files.
• Put data into the data-base and into the maps by using GIS systems as per project requirements
• Establish waste management database for Azerbaijan, which will include, but is not limited to the following:
• Develop register of solid waste volumes.
• Identify structure and the content of the sections within the data-base.
• Develop rules and procedures to put collected data into data-base and use them.
• Develop manual on programme content and application and prepare and conduct training for users.
• Identify all steps, phase by phase, in creating of the data-base.

Develop set of recommendations on software and system safety for the waste management data-base:

• Develop corporate design of database and HTML page via using CSS and Javascript when necessary.
• Ensure knowledge transfer and capacity-building for the local experts. Identify capacity-building needs for the local specialists to undertake activities under Component Creation of National Solid wastes Data-Base.

General Assistance:

Provide support to the project, encourage initiative, cooperation and teamwork in the completion of the studies. This will has to be accomplished through personal interfaces during visit to Baku, and in the form of email, Skype and other forms of communication through the UNDP Project Manager or directly with other consultants when deemed appropriate.

Deliverables: The deliverables under the assignment will consist of the following:

• Solid Waste Management Data-Base for Azerbaijan.
• Developed guidelines and rules for installation of data-base software, input of data, and management of Azerbaijan solid waste management database.
• The mission report in accordance with the scope of the assignment above.

• Analytical thinking.
• Team spirit.
• Sharing knowledge and experience, communicating ideas and managing information flow.
• Good planning, organizing and multi-tasking skills.
• Displaying cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Education:

• Advanced degree in software technology/environmental engineering or related areas.

Experience: 

• Working experience in the Solid Waste Management strategy and policy-making.
• Familiarity with methodologies for creation of  Data-bases, EU Waste list and classification of solid wastes
• Knowledge and experience in bringing together different stakeholders involved in the creation of the Solid Waste Data-base.
• Experience in consultancy services for countries in transition and/or Eastern Europe/CIS countries
• Familiarity with the working environment and professional standards of international organizations

Language:

• Excellent knowledge of English.
• Knowledge of Azeri, Turkish or Russian will be an advantage.