Terms of reference
Position:
International expert on healthcare waste management issues
Project number and title:
85149 “NIP update, integration of POPs into national planning and
promoting of sound healthcare waste management in Kazakhstan”
Contract type:
Individual contract
Duty station:
Home-based with mission to Astana
Duration:
September – November 2014 (15 days)
Background:
The project objective is to reduce the releases of unintentionally produced persistent organic
pollutants (POPs) and other globally harmful pollutants into the environment by promoting sound
healthcare waste management in Kazakhstan; and to assist the country in implementing its relevant
obligations under the Stockholm Convention.
The Project consists of the following principal components:
1. Stockholm Convention NIP update and improved institutional coordination on chemical MEAs
2. Assessment of overall mercury situation and preliminary plan of mercury use reduction and collection
3. Minimization of unintentional POPs and mercury releases in selected hospitals through
demonstration of sound Healthcare Waste Management approaches
4. Monitoring, learning, adaptive feedback, outreach, and evaluation
National capacity on POPs monitoring is a key condition for preliminary action plan on mercury
reduction and rational healthcare waste management.
Uncontrolled incineration of medical waste is a significant source of dioxin and furan releases. The
existing Kazakhstan’s legal system regulating healthcare waste was established by the introduction of
sanitary-hygienic requirements by Ministry of Health in 2004, 2007, and 2012. These acts provided for
prohibition of infectious waste disposal on sanitary landfills and contributed to the construction of
waste incinerators in the provinces.
The changes, which were introduced into the healthcare legislation were not, though, institutionally
and legally coordinated with relevant environmental regulatory measures. One current example is that
sanitary requirements do not fill regulatory gaps concerning imposition of hazardous healthcare
waste’s transportation rules according to the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous
Goods, and ADR agreement of which Kazakhstan is a party, and control of waste treatment operations,
including emission standard for waste incineration.
Legislation of Kazakhstan does not set emission standards for waste incineration or any other technical
requirements for the given process. However, waste incinerator, as any other object of waste disposal, is
to be assessed in terms of its environmental impact and has to obtain a permit for waste utilization before
it sets to work. The given permit includes requirements on release of some pollutants, with the exception
of uPOPs and heavy metals, with the follow up payment of relevant environmental duties. However, in
reality pollution test checks are not performed; the volume of incinerator emissions is estimated
theoretically in the process of getting a permit for its operation and later is to be adjusted and monitored
by its owner. Thus, monitoring and control over emissions resulting from waste incineration is practically
inexistent. Considerable deterioration of environmental situation is observed during incineration of
infectious wastes, which according to generally accepted practice, undergo bromine chlorine disinfection
prior to incineration, which leads to still greater release of dioxins and furans; chlorine compounds are
released in disposal fields as well. Additional environmental problem is due to formal classification of
fallouts following incineration of domestic wastes and utilization of these fallouts in disposal fields that
are not meant for that.
Scope of work: To achieve «NIP update, integration of POPs into national planning and
promoting of sound healthcare waste management in Kazakhstan” Project`s objectives under
Outcome 3 the following activities will be performed:
а) prepare recommendations on analysis of current situation on healthcare wastes prepared by
the national expert, and recommendations on its improvement;
b) review of international experience in healthcare waste management and monitoring;
c) review of institutional relations and recommendations on their improvement;
d) prepare recommendations on adapting best available technology for use in Kazakhstan;
e) participation in arranging trainings (2) with presentation for target groups (representatives
of governmental agencies and medical institutions);
f) participation in preparation of healthcare waste management plan at regional level for local
consultants for implementation of Outcome 3 of the Project;
g) participation in developing regional plans for healthcare waste management for pilot sites

No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Other duties:
Work with the national expert of healthcare waste management.
Expected outcomes and payments:
Expected outcomes
Timing
Prepared recommendations on analysis of current
situation on healthcare wastes, and recommendations
on its improvement
Performed review of international experience in
healthcare waste management and monitoring
Performed review of institutional relations and 10 days
recommendations on their improvement
Prepared recommendations on adapting best available
technology for use in Kazakhstan
Participated in developing regional plans for healthcare
waste management for pilot sites
Arranged trainings (2) with presentation and
distribution of information methodical materials
among target groups (representatives
of
governmental agencies and medical institutions)
Arranged interactive training on healthcare waste 5 days
management and preparation of the regional plan for
healthcare waste management for local consultants for
implementation of Outcome 3 of the Project
Deadline
Amount
September
80%
November
20%
Travel: This position envisages a mission to Astana, Kazakhstan to conduct trainings (5 days). All travel
expenses should be included in total contract amount.
Payment will be made in two tranches after satisfactory completion of work and authorization of the
outcomes by the Project Manager of UNDP/GEF.
Reports and materials must be presented in the volume of not less than 50 pages in English language
in written and electronic forms in MS Word (2003 and later) according to the format accepted for UNDP
projects; using the font: Arial, size 14
Responsibility:
 Reports to Project manager
 Provides timely and quality completion of terms of reference
 Ensures completion of all contract requirements.
Academic qualifications:

Master degree in natural sciences, ecology or chemical engineering
Experience and skills:
 Work experience in healthcare waste treatment not less than 7 years;
 Work experience in implementing projects on healthcare waste treatment and management in
international organizations not less than 5 years;
 Work experience in implementing and monitoring projects on waste management in UNDP/GEF
context;
 Strong expertise in waste management;
 Familiarity with the International Conventions addressing wastes, chemicals, mercury etc.
 Knowledge of Russian is an advantage.
COA (MUST BE INDICATED IN NUMBERS)
Project ID
Activity
Account
00085149
Total:
3
71205
Amount
Fund
Dept ID
62000
55205
Signatures - Job Description Autorisation
Name
Nina Gor, Project manager
Head of EE Unit
Stanislav Kim
Signature
Signature
Date
Date
Impl
Agency
001101
Donor
10003