INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy Officer will be involved in two initiatives, both implemented within the GGGI Philippines Country Office:

a) The GGGI’s Global Program on the Plastic Treaty (GPPT), which will have a global implementation level and will initially cover two countries in Asia (including the Philippines), one country in Africa and one country in Latin America.

b) The Green Economy Programme in the Philippines (GEPP), funded by the European Union (EU), is a key part of the EU’s contribution to the Team Europe Initiative on Green Economy, aims to assist the Philippines in renewing its economy. This includes embracing the circular economy, reducing waste and plastic usage, ensuring water supply and wastewater treatment, promoting energy efficiency, and deploying renewable energy to address the impacts of the climate crisis.

To achieve this, the EU will collaborate with the national government, local government units, and the private sector to promote green investments, bonds, and skills, focusing on greener supply chains and production processes. Implementers of the Green Economy Programme will include the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Expertise France in partnership with GGGI.

The Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy Officer will ensure effective coordination and support with technical staff based in other Country Offices. S/he will ensure proper engagement with relevant government partners and agencies in the Philippines, as well as provide strategic advice to the Country Representative and Senior Staff based in the Philippines (that includes the Waste, Sanitation and Circular Economy Senior Program Officer and the Project Lead for GEPP) on methods/approaches to effectively implement the initiatives. This position implements and facilitates an effective coordination mechanism amongst government agencies and between government agencies and GGGI. The Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy Officer will have multiple responsibilities and will need to be flexible and responsive to sometimes rapidly changing needs and tight deadlines.

PURPOSE

The Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy Officer will have the following tasks and duties:

For GPPT:

• Determine needs and opportunities to further inform and enhance consultation processes for the negotiations of the Plastic Treaty between governments and other national and international stakeholders.
• Identify the needs of governments for further support in relation to the negotiation of the Treaty and future strategic action planning.
• In all the four selected countries, implement a preliminary analysis of the costs and benefits of the optional actions being considered in the Treaty.
• Support the preparation of technical papers and other material to be presented during a consultation workshop organized as side event during the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committees 5 (November 2024, Korea) and in other international platforms.
• Encourage the establishment of, and support, solid waste management working groups at the national level in selected GGGI member countries, chaired by related governmental authorities, enhancing knowledge sharing, agenda setting and local ownership.
• Cooperate in the development of project proposals to extend the activities and the program in other countries where GGGI operates.
• In the Philippines: Identify policy gaps, limitations and knowledge gaps that may be affecting the development of plastic waste prevention and management policies, and that may impede the ratification of the Treaty and develop at least 1 policy brief.

For GEPP:

• Provide technical support in identifying and assessing green/circular economy projects, of which the definition will be provided under the taxonomy that will be developed.
• Develop criteria for selecting viable and scalable green circular economy projects that would attract investments and other sources of financing through GGGI’s intervention on investment mobilization activities.
• Develop mechanisms to identify and screen green/circular economy projects that are aligned with the taxonomy or framework that will be developed.
• Collaborate with financial institution(s) to design and develop innovative financial products tailored to circular/green economy projects integrating specific environmental and social indicators.
• Support to the overall program focusing with providing best practices in implementing circular economy projects.

ENGAGEMENT

• Develop and maintain strong working relations with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other governmental agencies to ensure buy-in of the GGP, including identifying and solving issues when they arise to minimise impact towards program results.
• Develop and implement suitable communication mechanisms and tools to update relevant stakeholders on the progress of all activities.
• Under the guidance of the Country Representative, develop and maintain active coordination, on a day-to-day basis, with Development Partners and donor agencies to identify resource mobilisation opportunities.
• Ensure coordination with GGGI colleagues globally and in the Philippines on project developments and donor management.
• Maintain an overview of the project pipeline, funding opportunities and partnership options in the Philippines.

DELIVERY

• Build awareness about the Program amongst key stakeholders in the Philippines.
• Identify potential approaches and strategies to enhance closer collaboration and alignment between GGGI and all key government partners involved in program delivery.
• Prepare and facilitate Program workshops, meetings and other relevant events together with relevant program and project teams.
• Maintain and update Development Partners and Donors’ database management for the country.
• Contribute to various documents (or portions of documents) for projects’ reporting and proposal development.
• Support the Country Representative and Senior Team Members on research information for quality project design and implementation, enriching GGGI’s knowledge platform and knowledge products.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant must demonstrate outstanding professional competence and hold exemplary and relevant academic credentials. Specifically, the application should provide convincing evidence of the following:

• Master’s degree or higher in relevant discipline, including environmental engineering, sanitation engineering, civil engineering.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in solid waste management and circular economy (experience shall include policy and governance-related aspects, financial aspects, social aspects and technical/operational aspects)
• At least 2 years of international experience, working and living outside of home country
• Good experience in policy analysis and strategy development
• Experience in analyzing and implementing various circular economy business models
• Good understanding of innovative finance mechanisms for circular economy
• Experience in relating and coordinating with the informal waste management sector
• Experience in coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including governmental authorities, multilateral agencies, development partners, private sector and civil society organizations.
• Good working knowledge of government relations and communications.
• Experience in other fields related to green growth, including (but not limited to) environment, energy, infrastructure, or economic development.
• Proven ability to work in a pro-active way, independently and deliver quality results requiring minimal supervision.
• Experience in working in development settings.
• Interpersonal savvy and approachability would be an asset.
• Experience working for International Organizations would be an asset.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills; including public speaking.
• Working fluency in other languages (Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian) would be an asset.
• Dedicated team player, with result-oriented, pro-active, and creative mindset to solve problems.

FUNCTIONAL

• Able to perform duties under time constraints, and on time.
• Ability to work independently while proactively seeking concurrence and instructions.
• Strong multi-cultural experience and a keen interest in being a part of an international team working in an evolving and entrepreneurial environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, writing, facilitation and networking skills.
• Highly-organized and able to effectively and efficiently multi-task and prioritize.
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• Be able to lead where needed and support the Country Representatives and program and project teams to make sound decisions.

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily.
• Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.