Waste Management Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Established in 1972, UNEP has been at the forefront of environmental governance and policy-making, working with various stakeholders to address pressing environmental challenges. The organization operates in over 150 countries and employs thousands of professionals dedicated to promoting sustainable development through sound environmental practices. UNEP's Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA), based in Beirut, Lebanon, provides technical support and policy advice to countries in the region to help achieve their environmental goals and sustainable development priorities. The office focuses on delivering advisory services and capacity-building support to enhance the environmental governance framework in the region, particularly in areas such as waste management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.

Job Overview:
The Waste Management Expert will play a crucial role in supporting the Kuwait Environment Public Authority (KEPA) and UNEP in the development of a Unified National Waste Management Strategy for the State of Kuwait. This position involves providing technical, analytical, drafting, and advisory support throughout the three main phases of the project. The expert will be responsible for consolidating existing national waste management strategy documents, developing a practical roadmap/action plan, and enhancing KEPA's internal policy and regulatory design capacity. The role requires close coordination with KEPA and UNEP supervision to ensure that the outputs align with the strategic objectives of both organizations. The expert will also engage in stakeholder consultations and contribute to the preparation of presentation materials for knowledge-sharing sessions with KEPA stakeholders. This position is part-time and home-based, expected to last for five months, and is essential for strengthening the strategic, institutional, and regulatory foundations for waste management in Kuwait.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected consultant will carry out a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities under the direct supervision of the designated Programme Management Officer at UNEP ROWA. These include:

• Phase I – Consolidation of the Unified National Waste Management Strategy: - Reviewing existing National Waste Management Strategy documents, including the 2022 and 2024 versions, and any relevant supporting materials provided by KEPA and UNEP. - Preparing an inception and methodology report that outlines the proposed approach, data requirements, workplan, consultation approach, and key assumptions. - Conducting a thorough technical review of existing strategies to identify overlaps, gaps, inconsistencies, and areas requiring harmonization. - Performing a baseline data validation and gap assessment based on available data provided by KEPA, identifying outdated, incomplete, or inconsistent datasets. - Reviewing and harmonizing strategic objectives, targets, and KPIs. - Developing a KPI Review and Harmonization Matrix. - Conducting a high-level target plausibility review considering data availability, institutional readiness, infrastructure capacity, and general resource considerations. - Preparing the Draft Unified National Waste Management Strategy. - Supporting stakeholder consultation by preparing technical inputs, participating in consultation discussions, and documenting comments received. - Assisting UNEP and KEPA in identifying priority areas for advisory support. - Preparing the Final Unified National Waste Management Strategy incorporating agreed feedback. - Creating presentation materials for knowledge-sharing sessions with KEPA stakeholders on the final Unified Strategy.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Waste Management, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Policy, Environmental Management, Circular Economy, Public Policy, Sustainable Development, or a related discipline. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor's degree or equivalent) combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have at least 10 years of professional experience in waste management policy, strategy development, environmental governance, circular economy, or related fields. Demonstrated experience in preparing national or sectoral strategies, implementation roadmaps, or action plans is essential. Strong technical writing and analytical skills are required, along with a solid understanding of waste management systems, waste hierarchy, circular economy, and institutional implementation challenges. Experience with waste management indicators, KPI frameworks, monitoring and evaluation, or performance tracking is also necessary. Furthermore, experience supporting institutional coordination and stakeholder consultation processes is required, and experience in policy or regulatory advisory work within a technical advisory capacity is considered an asset. Familiarity with the Gulf region or similar national waste management contexts, as well as experience working with government institutions, international organizations, or UN-supported projects, is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Waste Management, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Policy, Environmental Management, Circular Economy, Public Policy, Sustainable Development, or a related discipline. Candidates with a first-level university degree (bachelor's degree or equivalent) may be considered if they possess an additional two years of qualifying experience in relevant areas, demonstrating the ability to perform the duties required for this role effectively.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of professional experience in waste management policy, strategy development, environmental governance, circular economy, or related fields. Candidates should have a proven track record of preparing national or sectoral strategies, implementation roadmaps, or action plans. Experience in technical writing and analytical skills is crucial, as well as a strong understanding of waste management systems and institutional implementation challenges. Additionally, experience in supporting institutional coordination and stakeholder consultation processes is essential, along with familiarity with waste management indicators and performance tracking.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in both languages to effectively communicate and engage with stakeholders in the context of waste management strategy development and implementation.

Additional Notes:
This position is part-time and home-based, with an expected duration of five months. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization emphasizes that it does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts, ensuring a transparent and fair recruitment process.