Vacancy Announcement: Waste Management Specialist

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Background:

UN-Habitat in cooperation with UNIDO is implementing a Global Environment Fund (GEF-6) supported project on sustainable cities to be piloted in five cities (Bhopal, Jaipur, Mysore, Vijayawada, Guntur). The overall objective of the GEF project is to integrate sustainability strategies into urban planning and management with the end view of achieving the goals of ongoing city-related government projects hoping to achieve livable, workable and sustainable cities. The components of the project include:

• Integrated urban planning and management – this will include the introduction of tools and internationally accepted methodologies for sustainable cities planning and management, setting indicators according to internationally-accepted standards; a major aspect of this is low-carbon and low-emission planning;
• Investment pilots in 4-5 cities – the pilot cities will all benefit from the service of mobilizing funding to support technology and/or infrastructure projects necessary for achieving better city services and environmental management;
• Partnerships and capacity building – developing partnerships with private, public and civil society organizations in implementing initiatives for sustainable cities and building capacity of major players and stakeholders for better governance and project implementation in cities;
• Knowledge Management – sharing of experiences among Indian cities, and between Indian cities and those abroad which have advanced in building sustainable cities and also those which can learn from the Indian experience; this is also related to the Global Knowledge Platform being set up in relation to the overall sustainable cities program of the GEF.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Country Manager, Waste Management Specialist will work under overall guidance of the Programme Manager, UN-Habitat in India and will be responsible to undertake the following activities in close collaboration with country office team (Country Office, Regional Office and HQ thematic focal point on the Sanitation/ Waste Management):

Normative and Research Work

• Identification of feasible options to address the barriers, and promote circular economy options for municipal waste in the selected cities;
• Provision of technical support for priority circular economy assessments and measures for municipal and industrial waste management;
• Provision of technical inputs to develop business models based on lessons learned from piloting for replication and scaling up of turning waste to energy using frontier technologies;
• Undertake in-depth research and business case preparation for Indian cities on WasteManagement using Semi-aerobic Landfill Structure (Fukuoka method);
• Documentation of key lessons/ insights on circular economy options and wastemanagement from engaging with various stakeholders;

  Policy regulations and Planning instruments

• Advise and provide technical support to State Level Nodal Agencies (SLNA) to plan and design waste management policies and plans that respond to achieving SDG 11 and other related waste management goals.
• Identification of key policy and regulatory measures required for creating an enabling environment for priority waste management and circular economy measures.
• Provide technical support to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to review and verify designs and needs analyses of the proposed and ongoing waste management projects and practices in the cities.
• Provide technical support to the ULB to strengthen waste management plans in areas covering waste composition, volume of waste generated, collection and transportation, monitoring systems, among other relevant areas.
• Provide support to cities regarding changes in the institutional arrangements for improving collection, transportation, and disposal of solid wastes.
• Develop SWM strategies and action plans, designing sanitary landfill site, conducting SWM baseline assessment, preparing and implementing technical and financial viable SWM approach including 3R principles (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycling) and various SWM technologies including composting, biogas, Reduced Derived Fuels (RDfs).
• Support to Country Program
  • Support Country office in India to establish and/or maintain relations with relevant stakeholders to promote innovations in areas of sustainable waste management.
  • Develop concept notes so as to strengthen project portfolio of India Office in these areas.
  • Represent UN-Habitat at conferences, workshops, professional events as a subject matter expert as an advocate of institutional good practices.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities, which are within the expertise and experience as may be required by UN-Habitat in responding to the requests of the respective member states.

Qualifications:

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Master’s in Environmental Engineering / Environmental Sciences, Civil Engineering, or any other related field, is required, or a first level university degree in combination with additional two (2) years of relevant qualifying experience is required.

Work Experience: At minimum of seven (07) years progressively responsible experience in spatial planning, sustainability and resilience. conducting research and assessments on waste, provision of technical support for waste management, and waste related infrastructure design. Prior experience in implementing 3Rs: Reuse, Reduce and Recycle or other forms of circular economy policy development is a plus

Professionalism: Sound analytical and problem-solving skills, plus ability to handle a range of equipment used in communication. Should have advanced writing, research and analytical skills. Expertise in development of strategic documents, policy documents, local action plans as well as preparing and planning of various trainings/ workshops for different stakeholders. Able to work both independently and as part of a team in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization. Ability to use latest software such as ArcGIS, Excel, Photoshop, AutoCAD, InDesign and similar others will be an added advantage.

Teamwork: Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Experience within the United Nations common system will be an advantage.

Planning & Organizing: Ability to work with minimal supervision, under the pressure of frequent and tight deadlines often in difficult and demanding conditions.

Client orientation: Experience in working with government institutions at national and local level is an advantage. Capable of working in a team and undertaking initiative to ensure smooth relations and open communication within the team and with partners is required. Professional and courteous attitude and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a stressful environment. Receptive towards client needs. Understands that those provided services are clients and seek to see things from a client perspective. Maintains tact and diplomacy at all times.

Language: Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of another local language or UN official language would be an advantage.

Deadline for application: 24th October 2019 before 05.30 pm (IST)

Due to a large number of applications expected, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8).