A key factor contributing to the remarkable success of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is the "country-driven approach" promoted by the Executive Committee of the Protocol's Multilateral Fund. This approach places National Ozone Units (NOU) at the centre of all actions to protect the ozone layer. The National Ozone Officer (NOO) is the most important element in a national strategy to comply with the Montreal Protocol. How well the officer and his/her team do in their work – developing projects, managing national strategies, reporting data, developing and enforcing policies, and working with national and international institutions – directly or indirectly affects the status of their country's compliance with its obligations under this treaty.
This means that countries need skilled, committed and consistent focal points. However, there are a number of challenges. The size and efficiency of the NOUs vary in many countries. Some are fully institutionalized in government programmes, but others are not. In other cases, the nature of the Montreal Protocol responsibilities results in frequent staff turnovers that may cause gaps in project implementation if the staff transition is not properly managed. A new Ozone Officer or Assistant Ozone Officer will need guidance, information and advice to understand the issues and work efficiently and quickly to meet Montreal Protocol targets.
OZONACTION'S ROLE
The Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) uses a participatory approach that draws on the experience of numerous NOOs, guidance from international agencies and individual experts. UN Environment promotes learning and skill growth through sharing the collective wisdom of the wider community of Ozone Officers who are leading National Ozone Units.
In 2019, CAP released new training packages for its NOU training programme. The training packages comprise a series of standardized generic documents and other necessary training tools, including concise booklets, standard agendas for training modules, presentation slides, handouts, checklists for Ozone Officers, quizzes, evaluation documents, guides for homework by Ozone Officers before and after training sessions, checklist of key documents for display tables, list of useful posters or wall charts and many other useful products. The new training packages will further strengthen the skills of Ozone Officers in the areas of leadership, strategic thinking, organizational management, performance management, project development and management, financial management of projects, supervision of activities at national level, partnerships and collaboration, professional networking, advocacy & negotiation, communication, access to information, and resource mobilization.
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Guide for National Ozone Officers - 2013
This Guide aims to support National Ozone Units and the MLF's country-driven approach. The Guide is based on the experiences of numerous NOOs worldwide, international agencies and individual experts. It represents the collective wisdom of the broader community of NOOs who lead NOUs.
