| Position Title: | Senior Programme Specialist |
| Unit: | Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific |
| Program: | Waste Management |
| Project: | Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) on Waste Management |
| Location: | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Start Date: | 1 December 2015 |
| End Date: | Two-year contract, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds |
Background
The Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP) is an institute-wide , multi-disciplinary center of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) with a goal to provide resources for policy setting towards sustainable development, acting as a science-policy interface by regional networking, processing and assessing information and knowledge for governments, local communities and other stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region. RRCAP has over 25 years of experience of closely working with UNEP and other international Donors in dealing with regional environmental issues and is also serving as the secretariat for many intergovernmental networks/initiatives in the region. The office of RRC.AP is located within the campus of AIT at Pathumthani province, north of Bangkok.
The rapid increase in world population, most significantly the urban population, together with the rising consumption triggered by economic growth, is leading to a surge in waste generation. Almost every human activity contributes to waste, defined as an unwanted by-product of human activity in solid, liquid, and gaseous form. Therefore, there is a great need to make waste management a national priority, ensuring its visibility, acknowledging its cross-cutting nature, and allocating the necessary resources for its implementation at local levels.
UNEP IETC is partnering with RRC.AP in the implementation on national and local capacity for waste management through scientific information, national and city waste management strategies, pilot demonstrations, and training through the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA).
These Terms of Reference (ToR) present the mandate, duties and responsibilities, and operating guidelines for the Senior Program Specialist in the Initiative on National and City-Level Waste Management Strategies and Action Plans (NCWMS/AP).
The overall objective of this initiative is to strengthen national and city capacities to support the formulation and implementation of national and city waste management strategies and action plans. The main objectives are: to build national and city capacity; to support and promote improved national and city networking among institutions and experts; to strengthen the role and capacity of national and city institutional agencies dealing with waste management; and to formulate and adopt National and City-Level Waste Management Strategies (NCWMS) and Action Plans in identified countries and cities. The strategy and action plan will be a comprehensive holistic approach at national and city level, integrating waste management forms in terms of gaseous, liquid, and solid.
Responsibilities and duties
The Senior Programme Specialist will coordinate the overall operation of the waste management cluster, in particular the National and City Waste Management Strategies under the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between UNEP and AIT RRC.AP as well as Water and Sanitation projects, which include but are not limited to the following:
1. Technical Assessments [40% of time]
- Coordinate and maintain effective communication and relationships with National and City Focal Points, Intergovernmental Organizations partners [ASEAN, SACEP, ISDC] in coordination with UNEP IETC.
- Facilitate a coordinated approach in the identified countries in the area of capacity building, technology transfer, and public private partnerships on holistic waste management.
- Coordinate the waste management and water and sanitation projects of the waste management cluster, ensuring regular consultations and coordination with RRC.AP colleagues on joint planning and information sharing.
- Provide technical inputs to the baseline study and analysis of waste management report in coordination with technical support staffs and consultants, including:
- Baseline study on the status of waste management in the selected country/city. The baseline study shall be conducted in a comprehensive holistic approach at national and city level [waste forms: gaseous. liquid and solid].
- Baseline study aimed at gathering data and information on the status of the country/city in waste management in a comprehensive holistic approach at national/city level.
- Analysis of the information for the baseline in collaboration with stakeholders. A gap analysis would be undertaken to compare the actual performance of the current waste management system and the potential performance that can be expected.
- Lead in the drafting of National and City Waste Management Strategies and Action Plans following the detailed UNEP IETC methodology as per the guidance documents and guidance templates as well as provide technical inputs to the strategies and action plans.
- Provide technical inputs on water and sanitation activities at RRC.AP through analyzing critical water environmental issues and key institutional issues for management.
- Facilitate exchange of knowledge and dialogue on water environmental management of the other partners.
2. Project Management [30% of time]
- Coordinate the preparation of local meetings/workshops with authorities and stakeholders, including the drafting of major issues and discussion points, and the identification of relevant stakeholders to participate in the meetings/workshops on waste management.
- Coordinate the implementation of the Water and Sanitation activities in close communication with the persons involved, facilitates knowledge exchange and communication among water and sanitation Focal Points, organizes meetings, and performs outreach activities.
- Coordinates and supports the development and implementation of Action Programs on water and sanitation, particularly facilitating with international organizations and donor agencies.
3. Enhancement of RRC.AP’s portfolio (30% of time)
- Enhance cooperation and networking at the regional level, leading to project development on waste management related fields.
- Initiate the development of project proposals and other forms of resource mobilisation on waste management related fields.
- Perform other duties as required under the supervision of Director of RRCAP.
Required Competencies
- Demonstrated expertise in waste management in solid, liquid and gaseous forms, or other areas relevant to the waste program work of RRC.AP;
- Knowledge of learning methodology and environmental engineering experience within the development sector, including experience in areas such as wastewater, solid waste management, emissions management, training and training impact evaluations;
- Proven ability to develop manuals and guidelines to institutionalize best practices in waste management;
- Understanding of the principles underpinning waste management. In terms of the impact of the environment and health, including the waste generation, classification of waste stream and Projections for the future (challenges and opportunities).
Required Skills and Experience
Education
- Postgraduate degree in urban environmental management, environmental engineering, environmental science or any field relevant to the waste management program work of RRC.AP;
- Specialized training in the area of waste management and/or combination of the three forms of waste (gaseous, liquid and solid).
Experience
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience, Experience in leading project development, implementation, and resource mobilization in the area of Waste Management particularly in the Asian region;
- Experience working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
- Experience in managing small project teams.
- Experience in working collaboratively with waste management project team/partners. as well as solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise.
Language
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
To apply, please register online and complete the registration form. You are required to create your own user name and password, once completed, go back to the advertisement page and click "Apply Now" button.
Please do not forget to download your comprehensive resume with complete names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of at least two referees, including a short cover letter which explains your suitability for this position. (save them all in one file name and download a single file).