National Programme Officer (Solid Waste Management)

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. It is present in Ethiopia since 1998. UN-Habitat plays an important role in providing technical assistance in the areas of urban basic services such as solid waste management and water and sanitation, disaster risk reduction and rehabilitation, urban legislation, land and governance, urban planning and design, housing and slum upgrading, urban economy, and research and capacity building for change management of urban areas, together with partner governments at central and local levels. 1) UN Habitat has obtained funding from donors to implement solid waste management projects in a number of cities using the Fukuoka Method. Most landfill sites in cities are located not far from where people live and surrounding residents are faced with problems caused by over-usage of the dump sites such as overflow of leachate ponds, methane gas buildup and toxic smells. This has long been recognized as a serious environmental, social and economic concern. The Fukuoka method is a tested and proven semi-aerobic solution to landfill sites that is being replicated in a number of countries globally. In Ethiopia, Addis Ababa and Bahirdar cities have been beneficiaries of the method. Most recently, with the support from the government of Japan, Hawassa city landfill site is to undergo rehabilitation through the Fukuoka method to minimize its negative effect on the surrounding environment. 2) The UN Habitat developed Waste Wise Cities Tool (WaCT) under the Waste Wise Cities Program. WaCT supports cities and countries in establishing better waste and resource management strategies, creating business and livelihood opportunities and support the transition towards a circular economy with a notion of tackling plastic waste in the environment. UN Habitat encourages all cities in the world to be WASTE WISE i.e. to be a city that uses precious resources wisely through Rethinking, Refusing, Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling its materials and waste before as well as after consumption. All cities regardless of their size and financial capacity can improve upon the current state of their solid waste management. A number of Ethiopian cities have joined the WWC initiative. Under the WWC Challenge program Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar cities were selected and twined with the city of Vienna (of Austria) and Indore (of India). Both cities are also beneficiaries of the program though a project called “Feasibility Study Waste Wise Cities: Tackling plastic waste in the environment” funded by the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. Duties and Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the International Technical Advisor recruited to manage the project and the UN-Habitat Programme Manager for Ethiopia, with the support from the UN-Habitat Regional Offices for Africa (ROAf) and for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP), the Urban Basic Services Branch at UN-Habitat HQ, and in close collaboration with national and local counterparts as well as Development Partners, the incumbent of the post will have to fulfil the following duties and responsibilities: 1) Technical support to Solid Waste Management (SWM) in Hawassa, Ethiopia; Rehabilitation of the Hawassa dumpsite through implementing the Fukuoka Method: Lead UN Habitat’s SWM intervention in Hawassa city; Support the assessment of the existing situation of solid waste management in Hawassa; Support the designing of proper solutions to rehabilitate the dumpsite of Hawassa city; Support city officials and technical staff to rehabilitate the dumpsite and improve the situation of SWM in Hawassa city through on-the-job training, technical assistance and strategy development. Manage the resident site supervisor that overlooks the rehabilitation works on the dumpsite; Coordinate with the Fukuoka Method specialists, who will be mobilized through ROAP, when on mission in Ethiopia, in carrying out their activities; Support the preparation of progress reports regarding the implementation of the project, including documentation, knowledge management, advocacy and outreach; Organize and facilitate experience sharing with other cities to disseminate the Fukuoka Method in Ethiopia; Support UN-Habitat in developing project proposals to disseminate the Fukuoka Method in Ethiopia; Support the liaison with donors and government partners; Undertake assignments related with the application of the Fukuoka method and SWM in general. 2)Technical support to Waste Wise Cities Tool (WaCT) application in targeted cities: Engage local governments of target cities for the joint implementation of the project activities. research on SWM data, analyze gaps, study existing legislation, city’s background, including socio-economic status as well as mapping of key stakeholders and their roles; Map plastic recovery capacity and facilities in selected cities and related countries; Coordinate with target cities to implement the WWCT; Establish budget and working team of 2-3 Municipal Solid Waste experts as well as at least 20 helpers (in mega cities 30 helpers) available for 2-3 weeks; Undertake survey by selecting 9 districts/neighborhoods and 10 households per each district/neighborhood; Provide training on WWCT in target cities and beyond; Provide field support to working team to collect data and assess environmental control level of waste recovery and disposal facilities; Analyze and process collected data from each target city to develop the Waste Flow Diagram – a rapid assessment for mapping waste flows. 3) Technical support to Solid Waste Management (SWM) in Berbera, Somaliland implementing the Fukuoka Method: Support UN Habitat and the Berbera Municipal Authority SWM intervention in Berbera City; Support the designing of proper solutions to close the dumpsite of Berbera City; Support Berbera City officials and UN-Habitat technical staff to close the dumpsite and improve the situation of SWM in Berbera city through on-the-job training, technical assistance and strategy development; Support the preparation of progress reports regarding the implementation of the project, including documentation, knowledge management, advocacy and outreach; Participate in the design of new sanitary landfill in Berbera City using the Fukuoka method; Participate in, and facilitate experience sharing with other cities to disseminate the Fukuoka Method in Berbera. In addition, the incumbent is expected to manage day-to-day research and project implementation including preparing work plans, follow up on project implementation and preparation of progress reports, develop project concept notes, budgeting and proposals on waste management, attend meetings and workshops, undertake regular site supervisions, support the recruitment of necessary staff and undertake interviews. Competencies Capacity to analyze and synthesize information; Ability to work independently with a high degree of responsibility, in a flexible manner and often under pressure; Ability to conduct interviews, surveys and other data collection techniques; Good communication and writing skills. Required Skills and Experience Education: Master’s degree in urban planning/management, civil engineering, environmental engineering, or equivalent. Experience: Minimum of 6 years of working experience at the National and international levels, with relevant knowledge in the field of solid waste management, urban planning/management, civil engineering and/or environmental management; Working experience in Ethiopia, especially with governmental officials and on environmental management projects preferably on waste management; Knowledge of the UN system is an asset. Language: Ability to communicate effectively in English and Amharic, both in written and in oral form. Disclaimer Important applicant information All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment. Applicant information about UNDP rosters Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. 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