Environmental Engineering Technician - Senior Analyst (AQMN) - Retainer

Background Information – Amman:

The UNOPS Hub in Amman implements projects in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, in partnership with bilateral donors, national governments, and other UN agencies.  With an established presence across the region, the office runs operations including large-scale procurement, project development, and technical management, and provides financial, human resources, and infrastructure-related services. The functional objective of UNOPS Hub in Amman is to deliver its projects in an efficient and effective manner and in line with the principles, rules and regulations of UNOPS, in order to support the response to the current needs and national priorities in the region.

UNOPS has been active in Lebanon since 2015, delivering projects in support of the Government of Lebanon and partners. Since the explosion at the Beirut Port on 4 August 2020, UNOPS has significantly scaled up its presence in the country to support the humanitarian response and both its presence and portfolio have undergone expansion.

Project Information:

The “Reduction of Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants (UPOPs) Through Waste Management in a Circular Economy” is a project financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Environment (MoE) in Lebanon. UNOPS is implementing Components 1, 2 and 3 of the project through an agreement with MoE. The project aims to reduce UPOPs emitted from the waste disposal and open burning processes and minimize impacts to public health and environmental risks stemming from UPOPs emissions. To reduce UPOPs emissions from the waste sector, the interventions are specifically designed to address Solid Waste Management (SWM) and promote the circular economy, especially adopting a 3Rs approach in SWM following the Best Available Techniques (BAT) and Best Environmental Practices (BEP) Guidance adopted by the Stockholm Convention (2007; rev 2019). 

This project will contribute to building the circular economy as a pathway for Lebanon’s green growth and sustainable development and will promote circular solutions to reduce unsustainable resource extraction and environmental degradation, specifically through demonstrations in selected areas to minimize waste and promote sustainable business practices including green chemistry, extended producer responsibility and green public procurement.

The MoE had  compact ambient air quality monitoring stations installed in priority hotspots. The network design of these stations was tailored to the characteristics of the priority hotspots, in a manner enabling the MoE to maximize its understanding of population exposure to pollutants.

The stations were equipped with real-time instruments, to continuously collect data and monitor air quality in background locations. Data was collected by loggers which poll each instrument at regular periods. This data is averaged over specific timeframes and is stored in the logger memory.

The averaged data was retrieved automatically from the stations at regular intervals throughout the day through utilizing switched telephone and mobile phone networks or through wired transmission.

The retrieved data was stored on a central computer at the MoE facilitating  the computation of a daily Air Quality Index (AQI) through a central processing and management system. 

Accordingly, compact air quality monitoring units were installed on designated  sites across 15 locations within various regions of Lebanon. These units comprised, inter alia, the following component: 

• Real-time measurement gas analysers
• Real-time Particulate Matter (PM) samplers
• Related furniture, accessories, and consumables for the first year of operation,
• Data management system including local data acquisition, central processing and management software,
• Connectivity software and hardware,
• Back-up power sources in cases of interrupted power supply and current stabilizers.

Additionally, a calibration station is located at the Industrial Research Institute in Haddath. 

This assignment is intended to strengthen the national capacity and priorities of monitoring pollutants in Lebanon, and UPOPs especially, in areas susceptible to waste disposal and open burning processes. As such, the incumbent shall conduct a technical assessment of the current status of the AQMN network and prepare a modernization and upgrading plan of the same.

The assignment requires deskwork, research, meetings, fieldwork as well as coordination between the different related entities. The incumbent will perform the needed work in his/her own premises, using his/her own property and technology, using his own means of transportation, and hold direct responsibility for the quality of delivered outputs.

Task 1: Physical Preliminary Inspection and Assessment of 15 stations 

• Inspect and assess 15 AQMN stations installed in various Lebanese areas.

• Perform visual inspection of equipment involving a thorough examination of existing equipment, machinery, or tools. It typically includes identifying and quantifying  any missing equipment or parts of equipment, any signs of damage, wear and tear, corrosion, leakages, loose parts, or any other abnormalities that could affect the equipment's functionality, safety, or performance.

• Prepare an initial assessment report describing the current status of each station based on the parameters mentioned above including exhibits to be collected from the site visits (Photos, etc.) in addition to other data (GPS coordinates, etc.). 

Task 2: Detailed Assessment of selected stations

• Support in classifying the stations in order of priority and identifying a set of three to five stations to be subject to detailed assessment.

• Assess the capacities and needs of the AQMN to be able to monitor UPOPs as an additional criteria pollutant.  

• Evaluate the status of the prioritized and selected stations in terms of operation, hardware, software, calibration, measured parameters, etc.

• For the prioritized selected stations, perform a needs assessment study to ensure proper operation of the stations (Equipment, hardware, software, etc.).

• Prepare a detailed and comprehensive report covering the findings and recommendations.

Task 3: Assessment of AQMN software and hardware at MoE 

• Conduct technical assessment of the AQMN (software and hardware)  located at the MoE’s premises and identify needed interventions to have the systems fully operational (Replacement, retrofitting, new systems/equipment and installations, etc.), along with accurate cost assessment.  

• Conduct detailed assessment and inventory of existing related spare parts and tools stocked at the Ministry’s premises (quantities, types, status, validity, potential usage in the repair interventions, etc.).

Task 4: Develop Technical Specifications, BoQ, and Cost Estimations 

• Develop technical specifications and functional requirements of the identified needed requirements and equipment for the selected stations and the systems at the MoE, Detailed Bill of Quantities (item by item breakdown) and cost estimates,  miscellaneous services to be provided by the suppliers, (e.g. calibration of equipment and tools, Operation and Maintenance Manuals, spare, parts, training, etc.), including the existing and the new equipment/ systems to be purchased.

• The identified requirements and equipment shall be fully compatible with the existing equipment and systems.

• Support in preparing the Tender documents for the procurement and installation of the needed equipment, tools, instruments, etc.

• Support in the evaluation of the suppliers proposals as might be requested by the Project Manager.

• Support with planning and organizing  the training sessions to be performed by the suppliers.

• Support in the design and implementation of public awareness campaigns to inform the general public on UPOPs and its adverse effect on the health & safety of the public and environment.

Task 6: Inspection of delivered equipment 

• Inspect the delivered equipment both software and hardware, verification and inspection of delivered equipment against contract documents (Specifications, applicable drawings and other relevant documents.

• Checking of quantity, checking of commissioning test programme, verifying of availability of test apparatus and test programme, visual checking of readiness of equipment before testing, verifying accuracy of test instruments and apparatus, verification of test results and performance data.

• Coordinate with the MoE, stakeholders, and suppliers with respect to the site preparations, delivery and installation of equipment as well as testing and commissioning activities.

• Perform site visits to supervise surveys, preparations, supply and installation, testing and commissioning activities and verify that all equipment/tools/instruments/systems delivered by the suppliers as per the pertinent contract documents.

• Coordinate with the MoE, stakeholders, and suppliers to have the equipment/tools/instruments/systems delivered and received by the beneficiary and administer the Issuance of Receipt and Inspection Reports (RIR) as well as verification  as per UNOPS procedures and guidelines.

Other tasks as would be assigned by the Project Manager.

• Advanced Degree (Master or Doctoral) in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Chemistry, Toxicity, Electronic Engineering or a related field is required.
• A Master's or Doctoral's Degree in a relevant discipline provides a solid foundation in understanding environmental principles, resource management, and sustainable development.

• Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience in operating and maintaining laboratory equipment and pollutants monitoring equipment is required.
• Proven experience in mechanical and technical assessment of laboratory equipment and environmental monitoring equipment is required. 
• Proven experience in calibration of monitoring equipment and tools is a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Stockholm conventions, proceedings, and recommendations. Assessment of Industrial POPS and Unintentionally released POPS is desirable.
• Proven experience in the field of Environmental Pollution Prevention and socio-economic impact assessment of POPs is desirable.
• In-depth understanding of national and international regulatory frameworks related to UPOPs management is beneficial.
• Experience in Air Quality Monitoring Network  development or monitoring is beneficial.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, including working with government officials, industry representatives, certification bodies, and Academia is desirable.

• 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.

• The position is stationed in Beirut, Lebanon, which is a family duty station.
  
  

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.