Technical Specialist - Environmental (Retainer)

In June 2023, UNOPS North Africa Office is going to start the project ‘Building the capacities for plastic waste management in the ‘Greater Tripoli’ area’ in Libya. 

The project goal is to pilot an inclusive and circular business model engaging communities, private businesses and local authorities to promote collection, recycling and re-introduction of high-quality plastic that will be recycled into new products. 

By focusing on plastic waste management, this project intends to tackle environmental, employment and economic sustainability concerns: plastic waste management will be an entry point to reduce environmental pollution, create new jobs/employment opportunities and promote adoption of circular business models in Libya. The project will be implemented as a small-scale pilot initiative in the following municipalities in Tripoli district: 

• Municipality of Souq Al Joum’aa;

• Municipality of Abu-Salim;

• Municipality of Tripoli Centre. 

The project will last 30 months and accompany target stakeholders across the entire plastic waste cycle, from the community engagement in plastic waste sorting at source and collection, to the support to private sector operators to introduce and operate mature recycling technologies, to the improvement of know-how of target municipalities’ staff.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the Plastic value Chain Expert will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Provide subject matter advise on plastic recycling, and all related aspects within the plastic value chain to the National Technical Expert and to the project team;

• Support the National Technical Expert in his/her role as technical leader and responsible for carrying out the plastic value chain assessment in the target municipalities, with specific focus on private sector involvement and capacities in plastic recycling, including: definition of the assessment’s detailed scope and methodology, identification of relevant stakeholders to be consulted, execution of the assessment through stakeholders consultation, findings analysis and drafting of the assessment report;

• Provide technical guidance, inputs and supervision to capacity development activities devoted to local civil society organizations;

• Provide technical guidance, inputs and supervision to waste sorting awareness raising campaigns carried out in target municipalities to the National Technical Expert and to the project team;

• Support the project team in the selection process of private companies engaged in the plastic value chain that will be involved in the project, including assessment of their operating capacities, facilities, equipment, as well as technical and business capacity development needs;

• Provide technical guidance, inputs and supervision to capacity development activities devoted to private companies, including expansion of customers basis in the Mediterranean region to the National Technical Expert and to the project team;

• Provide ad hoc inputs and support to capacity development activities devoted to target municipalities staff, in coordination with the project team.

- 5 years of experience working on matters related to municipal waste/ waste management, plastic recycling, circular economy and/or environment management

- Demonstrated solid knowledge of waste management and recycling processes, preferably with focus on plastic waste and private sector role, their links to circular economy and relevance to sustainable development is mandatory;

- Knowledge of plastic recycling technologies and processes is mandatory;

- Demonstrated Technical Advisory experience in plastic recycling and management.

1. Contract type (ICA)
2. Contract level (I-ICA 2) 
3. Contract duration/ Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

 Senegal

Located in Dakar, the UNOPS office in Senegal has developed a strong working relation with the Governments of West Africa and international partners over the years. It provides technical support in strategic development areas including elections; procurement and related capacity building; environmental protection, as well as infrastructure rehabilitation and development.

A Partnerships Unit (PU) has been established to support the development of new engagement opportunities in the sub-region and increase CIOH’s project and programme portfolio. The Partnership Unit coordinates, supports and monitors the development of the portfolio. The Unit report directly to the Hub Director serving, as an interface between the project centers and the operational hub. The Partnership Advisor will work within the Partnership Unit.