Technical Specialist - Environment

UNOPS in Sri Lanka

UNOPS has signed an MOU with an intergovernmental organization called  SACEP (South Asia Cooperative Environment Program). SACEP is implementing the World Bank-funded PLEASE Project in South Asia. In accordance with the Agreement, UNOPS should provide implementation support and advice to SACEP in implementing the Plastic free Rivers & Seas for South Asia Project (PLEASE). UNOPS is expected to assist the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in implementing the RBGs (Regional Competitive Block Grants) under Component 1, Component 2 and Component 3 of the PLEASE Project. 

• Guide the grantees to understand strategic directions and technical features of the project and ensure high quality of the project implementation. This may include issues specific to pollution from the specific projects, emissions reduction, energy conservation, environmental and development of social management plan.
• Provide technical advice to the grantees to develop key guidance, templates and other management tools and instruments as required, to enhance the ability of project  personnel and teams to plan and implement environmental management activities in their projects, such as Environmental Management Frameworks, Environment Management Plans or Environment Impact Assessments, among others.
• Direct grantees to carry out environmental due diligence to sub grantees, contractors and suppliers prior to commencement of project work to ensure that the ones with unsatisfactory performance are not engaged.
• Train the grantees to understand plastic waste characteristic and possible leakages to natural system.
• Guide the grantees to organize training to the selected sup grantees / partners / beneficiaries to earn knowledge on properties of plastic waste and possible solutions to the specific types of the plastic waste.
• Guide grantees to improve knowledge on plastic waste management; develop reports on comparison on national, international and product stands on key parameters relevant to the specific project.
• Promote grantees to earn deep knowledge on plastic waste issues in the country and possible solutions that could ease the plastic waste management issues in the country; understand the global trend of plastic treatment options and explore possibilities to implement innovative projects.
• Familiar with ISO/TR 23891:2020 and ISO 14001 and look for a possibility to adopt the standard to the local context.
• Identify possible risks that may be encountered by the grantees and assist to develop suitable mitigation measures.
• Thorough understanding on national policy related to plastic waste management and guide the grantees to assist government in framing plastic waste management in the local context and regional requirements.

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering,  Environmental Science, Natural Science, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability or Environmental Management is required. 
• An additional 2 years of relevant work experience in combination with a relevant first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced university degree.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in the Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, plastic waste management at industrial scale, environmental management sector is required. 
• Research experience and relevant publication records are required.
• Familiarity with the national and international policy framework, standards, and systems in plastic management is required.
• Experience in drafting of impact assessments and plans such as ESIAs, ESMPs and ESMF, etc. is an asset.

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of the local language(s) is an asset.

Contract type: ICA (Individual Contractor Agreement)
Contract level: Local ICA Specialist 10
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• This vacancy is open ONLY for SRI LANKAN nationals. 

• 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.