E-waste Management Policy Specialist (Retainer)

South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across  North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines.  EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia,  EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2024, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.  

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself. 

UNOPS in Papua New Guinea

The EAPMCO Papua New Guinea was established in early 2020 to support the implementation of design and construction of infrastructure, sustainable procurement, capacity development to support technical and governance excellence, programme management, and to facilitate access to funding sources in Papua New Guinea.  

As an established office since 2022, EAPMCO PNG is demonstrating significant growth and portfolio diversification potential in a short period of time. Working with an increasing number of development partners, in 2023 EAPMCO PNG is quickly being recognised as a responsive and quality partner in climate change resilient infrastructure, sustainable procurement and governance support to the Government of PNG in its service delivery obligations to the people. There are a number of projects currently in the pipeline which will expand the portfolio of existing projects for the office.

Project Information 

Electronic waste (e-waste) is rapidly increasing in Papua New Guinea due to rising imports of consumer electronics and limited product life cycles. Without a formal management system in place, most e-waste is disposed of through unsafe and informal methods such as open burning and unregulated dumping. This not only pollutes the environment but also exposes communities to hazardous substances like mercury, lead, and other toxic materials commonly found in electronic devices.

Recognizing the growing urgency of this issue,  the project is being financed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and implemented by UNOPS to provide technical assistance and operational support across the project's various phases.

Building on previous assessments, the project focuses on reviewing and updating the initial feasibility study, supporting CEPA in implementing regulatory frameworks, conducting awareness campaigns, and developing a concept design for e-waste facility. The project also sets the groundwork for subsequent phases involving detailed engineering design and eventual construction, subject to funding confirmation and development of a sound financial and economic model to ensure sustainability.

E-waste Management Policy Specialist role

1. Policy and Regulation Advisory

2. Reporting

3. Communication

• Minimum advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) or higher degree in Law, public policy or a related field.

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant professional experience, with at least 3 in policy/legal advisory for environmental or waste management sectors

• Experience working in the Pacific Region is an advantage.

• Proven experience with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, preferably in developing countries

• Familiarity with the PNG policy environment and legal system is highly desirable

• Strong communication, facilitation, and drafting skills

• Experience working with multi-stakeholder advisory groups or donor-funded projects is an advantage

• Fluency and proficiency in English is required. 
  
  
• Proficiency in another UN language is desirable.

1. Contract type: International Individual Contractual Agreement (IICA)
2. Contract level: ICS 10 / IICA 2 / LICA 10
3. Contract duration: 12 months

• When the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) has established the National Professional Officer (NPO) category in a duty station, a home-based Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued instead of an International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)  
  
  
• This is a Retainer position, not a full-time position. Retainers may be requested to carry out tasks on an intermittent and need basis. There are no minimum hours or days guaranteed.
  
  
• For home-based position, it will be the responsibility of the selected candidate to make arrangements, to a standard deemed acceptable by UNOPS, for a secure internet connections, laptop and/or equipment necessary for work (as defined by UNOPS). 
  
  
• For home-based positions, candidates must have the necessary permissions to work in their home base location without sponsorship from UNOPS.

• 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. 

• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.