Result of Service

The ultimate result of the service is efficient delivery of the GEF DDT project goals and outcomes, development of new GEF projects in the region, delivery of the E-Waste related projects in the region within the framework of the e-waste projects.

Work Location

Almaty

Expected duration

24 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme 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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Subregional Office’s for Central Asia main goal is to provide guidance to national governments at various levels, and to take part in the dialogue on environmental issues between governmental authorities, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders. Subregional Office for Central Asia in cooperation with UNEP’s office for Europe is an Executing Agency (EA) for the project “Demonstration of non-thermal treatment of DDT wastes in Central Asia (Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan) (GEF ID 9421)” (Central Asia DDT). Also, SRO for Central Asia implements the chain of projects related to promotion of circular economy in the electronics sector, and develops potential new projects in obsolete pesticide disposal in cement kilns to be funded by GEF, building resilient infrastructure of plastic recycling and other projects in the area of chemicals and waste. The overall objective of the project “Demonstration of non-thermal treatment of DDT wastes in Central Asia (Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan) (GEF ID 9421)” is to build national and regional capacity for the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of hazardous waste including Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan in line with the requirements of the Basel and Stockholm Conventions. The project is comprised of two Components: ▪ Component 1: Disposal and reduction of POPs ▪ Component 2: Long term capacity building for improved hazardous waste management. The following outputs are expected to be delivered under each of the two project components: Component 1: Disposal and risk reduction of POPs Output 1.1 Feasibility study endorsed by government Output 1.2 Site specific management plans submitted to government Output 1.3 Non-thermal containment technology is scaled Output 1.4 Excavated POPs wastes managed in an environmentally sound manner Component 2: Long term capacity building for improved hazardous waste management Output 2.1 National regulations Output 2.2 Environmental monitoring Output 2.3 Stakeholder engagement and awareness Output 2.4 Risk management at 10 sites Output 2.5 Knowledge Management Under the guidance of the Coordinator on Chemicals and Waste of the Regional Office of UNEP for Europe and the Head of the Subregional Office (SRO) for Central Asia, the incumbent will perform the following duties: For the GEF Project “Demonstration of non-thermal treatment of DDT wastes in Central Asia (Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan) (GEF ID 9421): 1. Management of the Implementation of the Project: • Along with the Project Manager take responsibility for daily project management, including organizational and substantive matters such as budgeting, planning, and monitoring. • Maintain regular contact with UNEP on project implementation issues. • Manage and monitor project risks, submit new risks to the Project Steering Committee for consideration, and decide on possible actions if required. • Prepare detailed annual breakdowns of the work plan for all project objectives and quarterly work plans. • Lead monitoring, quality data collection, and timely submission of technical reports. • Provide advice and direction on strategic and policy issues to strengthen gender and social inclusion initiatives. • Ensure the participation of women and people from disadvantaged groups in planning and decision-making. • Ensure that women and people from disadvantaged groups benefit sufficiently from project results. • Perform any other related functions as per UNEP mandate and operations when needed. 2. Coordination and Liaison: • Organize scientific research in cooperation with Kyrgyz and Tajik national scientific institutions. • Work in close contact with national governments and stakeholders under the supervision of the Head of UNEP Subregional Office for Central Asia. • Coordinate regularly with the Regional and National Steering Committees, national delivery partners, Government Focal Points, and other relevant stakeholders. • Organize regular regional and national project meetings for experience sharing and lesson learning. • Analyze potential capacity constraints of the national project teams and provide hands-on support in management, planning, and monitoring of activities when required. • Provide technical and strategic assistance to national project teams in guiding the implementation of project activities, including monitoring and site operations, while assuming quality control of interventions. • Support in liaising with project partners, donor organizations, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation and coordination of project activities. • Ensure adequate information flow, discussions, and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project. 3. Project Reporting and Knowledge Management: • Supervise the development of knowledge products, including brochures, briefs, documents on lessons learned, and evaluation reports. • Facilitate the dissemination of information about the objectives, progress, and achievements of the project. • Lead, coordinate, and participate in the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and meetings related to the project. • Build the project’s reputation in the knowledge networks to draw on and disseminate best practices and lessons learned. • Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a dynamic system of monitoring and evaluation. • Create and foster good working relationships with the media (social media, newspapers and journals, radio, and television). 4. Technical Management of the project: • Management of international and national technical consultants within the scope of the component 1 and the Output 2.4 • Management of immobilization trials in Kazakhstan and bioremediation trials in both project countries within the scope of the component 1, Output 1.1 • Management of Pilot remediation trial within the scope of the component 1, the Output 1.1. • Search of technical partners in the region to provide nature based solutions on containment and land remediation within the scope of the component 1, the Output 1.1 and the Output 1.3. • Preparation of the TOR for main project technical partners within the Component 1 of the GEF 9421 Project within the scope of the component 1, the Output 1.1, the Output 1.2., the Output 1.3 and the Output 1.4 • Review of engineering deliverables proposed by national partners and Project’s engineering contractors within the scope of the component 1, the Output 1.1, the Output 1.2., the Output 1.3 and the Output 1.4 • Contribution to national Environmental Impact Assessments prepared by national project contractors within the scope of the component 1, and the Output 1.2 • Review and input to the list of mini-dumpsites selected by the project countries for risk reduction activities within the scope of the component 1, and the Output 1.2 • Missions to the landfills in the project countries to control the progress of containment activities within the scope of the component 1, the Output 1.1, the Output 1.2., the Output 1.3 and the Output 1.4Approval of completed containment, construction, risk reduction, recultivation works by national implementing partners and commercial contractors within the scope of the component 1, the Output 1.1, the Output 1.2., the Output 1.3 and the Output 1.4 For new potential GEF-funded projects in the areas of Chemicals and Waste in Central Asia and the CIS region: • Identification of countries’ priorities with national governments and stakeholders. • Preparation of potential project concepts in coordination with UNEP ROE and GEF Unit. • Coordination of the preliminary negotiations with governments and other international institutions up to the signing of MOU. • Preparation of the Project Identification Form (PIF) and Project Preparation Grant (PPG) documents for GEF under coordination of the GEF Unit. • Preparation of the Project Document, Project Log Frame, and Project Workplan. • Missions to countries to coordinate with local stakeholders on the technical and institutional arrangements of the future projects. For new potential non-GEF-funded projects requested by Central Asian countries in the areas of Chemicals and Waste: • Identification of the countries’ priorities and proactively seeking donors with the support of the ROE coordinator and Head of SRO. • Coordination of the transition of potential ideas to project concepts with national governments and stakeholders. • Organization of capacity-building activities for national governments and stakeholders. • Identification of potential implementing partners in the Central Asian region and CIS.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a field related to Development Studies, International relations, Social Sciences or equivalent is required, supported by a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Waste management or relevant environment field; a relevant first-level university degrees in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted; Project certification in project management from a recognized international institution (PMP, Prince2, or similar) is an asset; Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience, including in project management is required; Minimum 7 years of experience related to cooperation with national governments; At least one project in the portfolio with a total budget over 10 million USD; Prior experience working with a Government of a Central Asian country, United Nations and donors would be an asset; Knowledge and experience working with provincial and local government context in Central Asia is an advantage; Demonstrated knowledge of waste management issues; Track record of, or proven experience in successful contract management, supervision and reporting skills, preferably in GEF contracted projects; Familiarity with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs); ▪ Strong analytical and project management skills; ▪ Engineering management, package management, procurement management skills; ▪ Experience in preparing comprehensive technical packages for government approval, including EIA; ▪ Experience with use of computer and office software packages; ▪ Experience with use of project management systems (Microsoft Project, Primavera); ▪ Highly self-motivated, with good leadership skills; ▪ Good understanding of UN rules and procedures or experience of completing UN assignments would be an asset.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English and Russian are essential. Knowledge of Kazakh, Kyrgyz, or Tajik languages is an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.