Result of Service

A product-level evidence report including consolidation of trade analysis, economic/environmental evidence; literature review, state-of-play mapping (including a gap analysis) and challenges identified for the implementation of the upgraded ATIGA provisions on remanufactured goods. Evidenced-based consideration note on Recommendations to overcome the identified challenges in support of the ATIGA remanufacturing provision. The work provides Member States and ASEAN bodies with evidence and options they may draw on and lays a validated foundation for future regional programmes.

Work Location

Home-based, working remotely

Expected duration

5 months of work during an 11 months period

Duties and Responsibilities

A. Background: (1) Organisation setting: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. As part of the Industry and Economy Division, Chemicals and Health Branch, UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) works with developing countries to implement sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, with focus on circular approaches to waste reduction and management. IETC provides technical and advisory support to national and local governments to enhance their use of zero-waste strategies and approaches. IETC also implements in- country demonstration projects using innovative waste prevention approaches in industrial sectors and innovations to introduce sustainable and responsible consumption and production. Working with a range of partners and in line with the relevant global environment agreements, the IETC's mission is to serve as a global leader on innovation towards zero-waste. (2) Purpose: Under UNEP's Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2026–2029, waste prevention and the environmentally sound management of hazardous and problematic waste streams—particularly waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)—are recognized as core priorities. The Circularity in High-Impact Sectors programme, covering electronics alongside textiles, plastics, and mining, provides the framework for action. Electronic products have complex value chains and pose significant risks to human health and the environment if not managed sustainably, making the sector a key entry point for advancing circularity. Among circular strategies, remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair, and reuse are increasingly recognized as high-impact interventions to extend product lifespans, reduce environmental burdens, and promote resource efficiency. Remanufacturing, in particular, offers significant environmental and economic benefits, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, material use, and e-waste generation, while creating opportunities for green jobs and innovation. These benefits are especially relevant in ASEAN, where electronics manufacturing is a major economic driver and demand for affordable, high-quality electronics is rising. Against this background, the consultancy will assess the current landscape (trade and economic evidence, as well as the state of play across ASEAN Member States), and identify enabling conditions, and constraints for the implementation of the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) provisions on remanufactured goods, focusing on one high-value product family. Building on the regional circular economy research completed in 2025 and the enabling conditions and constraints identified, to develop evidence-based considerations to advance on the trade of remanufactured goods. The assignment requires specialized expertise in remanufacturing, trade-flow analysis, and circular economy economics. A dedicated consultant is therefore required to undertake the analysis and facilitate engagement with ASEAN Member States. This assignment contributes directly to the Chemicals and Pollution Action Subprogramme, particularly its workstreams on circularity in high-impact sectors, integrated waste management, and enabling policies for the sound management of chemicals and waste. B. Duties: (1) Objectives:

To assess the current state of play, enabling conditions, and constraints for operationalising the upgraded Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) remanufacturing provisions.
To provide evidence-based recommendations to overcome such constraints, building on published research related to Trade Facilitation in ASEAN and Circularity in the electronics sector in ASEAN. (2) Output expectations: (A) Product-level evidence base (one report):
Analysis of ASEAN trade flows (imports/exports, values and volumes) for manufactured, used, refurbished and remanufactured electronics equipment, at HS / national-suffix level;
The economic case (value, affordability) and light environmental (avoided-impact) evidence; (B) Member State survey and state-of-play mapping (across the 11 ASEAN Member States):
A survey/interview instrument designed by the consultant and, with the support of the ASEAN Secretariat, administered across the 11 Member States;
A mapping of industry presence, permits/sandboxes, laws and ATIGA-related commitments per Member State, with a gap analysis;
Analysis of Member States' concerns (environmental, regulatory, competition-with-new, mislabeling/fraud) and gap analysis
Methodology followed for the collection of the evidence-based. (C) Policy recommendations and methodology:
Evidence-based policy recommendations that validate, refine and prioritise the recommendations of the 2025 research for this product family—grounded in the new trade/economic evidence and the Member State survey (extending existing recommendations rather than duplicating them); (3) Performance indicators:
All deliverables submitted in Word and PDF by agreed deadlines;
A completed Member State survey with responses from a substantial share of the 11 Member States (target agreed with UNEP);
Recommendations demonstrably grounded in the new evidence and survey, and building on the indicated research;
Evidence of Member State input (survey/consultation records); peer review by UNEP and ASEAN; robustness of analysis as evaluated by UNEP. C. Specific tasks and responsibilities: The consultant works under the supervision of the Head of IETC, in coordination with the UNEP electronics team.
Conduct a desk review of the indicated research and the ATIGA remanufacturing provisions, and define the specific findings and recommendations to be tested and updated;
Extract and analyse ASEAN trade flows (UN Comtrade, national customs) for the product family, and assemble the economic and light environmental evidence base;
Design the Member State survey/interview instrument (questionnaire, respondent list, protocol), clear it with UNEP and the ASEAN Secretariat;
Administer the survey and conduct interviews across the 11 Member States (with the ASEAN Secretariat enabling access), and analyse the responses;
Compile the state-of-play mapping and gap analysis from the survey results as well as challenges encountered;
Develop evidence-based policy recommendations for the selected product family to overcome challenges identified, and document the methodology for the evidence-based collected;
Present findings to UNEP and ASEAN stakeholders, and revise outputs based on feedback.

Qualifications/special skills

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental policy, trade, circular economy, public administration, business development or a related field.
A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Professional Experience:
At least 6 years of professional experience in waste management, circular economy, chemicals and pollution control, trade-environment linkages, electronics sector policy, or environmental policy
Demonstrated experience in regulatory analysis, quantitative assessment, and stakeholder consultation
Knowledge of ASEAN structures or experience working with regional policy frameworks is an advantage. Special knowledge and skills:
Strong understanding of circular economy principles and trade-environmental issues
Quantitative skills to estimate socio-economic impacts of CE products
Familiarity with trade facilitation mechanisms, including ATIGA, Basel Convention, and WTO principles

Languages

Demonstrated capacity to write UN documents in English.

Working knowledge of one or more ASEAN languages is a plus

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Regional Consultant – Circularity in Electronics Sector in ASEAN region