Climate & Environment Associate (Urban Waste Management)

Volunteering Environment

Overview

Support sustainable urban waste management initiatives in Bhutan.

You have:

• Demonstrated interest or experience (up to 3 years) in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Urban Planning, Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, Public Policy, or other related fields
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication skill
• Planning and Organizing skills
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Technological Awareness
• Working in Teams

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

Bhutan’s rapid urbanization, particularly in major urban centers, has led to increasing challenges related to solid waste generation, segregation, recycling, and disposal. Effective urban waste management is closely linked to climate mitigation, environmental protection, public health, and sustainable urban development. Adopting a circular economy approach offers a strategic pathway to address these challenges by shifting from a linear model to one that emphasizes resource efficiency, waste minimization, and value recovery. Integrating circular economy principles into urban waste management systems can enhance material recovery, reduce landfill dependency, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to more resilient and sustainable urban development in Bhutan.

UNDP Bhutan supports the Government’s efforts to promote integrated, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable waste management systems, with a focus on policy support, institutional strengthening, innovation, and community engagement. The UN Volunteer Associate will be embedded within UNDP’s Climate and Environment portfolio and will contribute to ongoing and emerging initiatives related to sustainable urban waste management, circular economy practices, and climate responsive urban solutions.

This assignment is designed as a learning‑oriented, entry‑level opportunity, providing the UN Volunteer with exposure to programme implementation, policy support, stakeholder coordination, and knowledge generation in the urban climate and environment sector.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst/Project Manager (Climate & Environment), UNDP, the UN Volunteer Associate will support and contribute to the following tasks as part of the Climate and Environment team: • Assist in the implementation of UNDP supported urban waste management and environmental sustainability activities, particularly those focused on waste reduction, source segregation, circular economy practices, and awareness raising in urban are-as. • Support background research, data collection, and basic analysis on urban waste trends, policies, and best practices, including linkages to climate change mitigation and circular economy approaches. • Contribute to the preparation of programme documents, concept notes, reports, presentations, and briefs related to climate, environment, and urban waste initiatives. • Support coordination with government counterparts, municipal authorities, development partners, civil society organizations, and community groups engaged in urban waste and environmental initiatives. • Assist in organizing and documenting workshops, consultations, field visits, and stake-holder meetings, including preparation of agendas, minutes, and summary notes. • Support monitoring and reporting of project activities by assisting with tracking out-puts, indicators, and results, under guidance from the programme team. • Contribute to knowledge management and communications, including drafting short case stories, lessons learned, and content for internal knowledge sharing. • Participate in team meetings and contribute to a collaborative learning environment while developing professional and technical skills relevant to climate and environmental programming.

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance

Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Technological Awareness Working in Teams

Demonstrated interest or experience (up to 3 years) in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Urban Planning, Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, Public Policy, or other related fields

Bhutan is a lower middle-income country, landlocked between China and India, with an estimated population of 770,0002. A Human Development Index of 0.666 (2021) places it in the medium human development category, ranked 127 out of 189 countries. Rapid economic growth averaging 7.5 per cent per annum was experienced since the 1980s. Between 2010 and 2021, the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita increased by 22.3 per cent to USD 11,3005. Poverty rates reduced sharply from 23 per cent in 2007 to 8 per cent in 20176, with 12.4 per cent recorded in 2022. Significant gains in human development, poverty reduction and living standards have been guided by Bhutan’s gross national happiness philosophy of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability, inclusive social progress and cultural vibrancy, underpinned by good governance. Despite the positive momentum, socio-economic vulnerability remains, primarily due to difficult geographical conditions, narrow economic base, dependency on limited international market for trade, and increased emigration of productive population in recent years. Bhutan is a relatively stable and peaceful country. The capital, Thimphu, is located at an elevation of 2,334 meters where the summers are warm, and winters are chilly. The Bhutanese currency Ngultrum is pegged with the Indian Rupees and one USD is equivalent to 82 Ngultrums approximately. In the capital, rented flats range from Nu.7000-17,000 (96 to 250 USD) while furnished apartments cost around 300 to 700 USD. Public transportation including taxis are cheap starting from 0.3 USD to 5 USD. Groceries and other food items would amount to around 300 dollars a month. Bhutan provides free basic health and education and as per Article 9 of the Constitution of Bhutan, access to universal basic health services is free to all individuals living in the country. The country’s national language is Dzongkha but the local populace is comfortable in using English which makes day to day conversations easy.

Visa process: UNDP Bhutan will facilitate the visa process for the selected UN Volunteer in coordination with UNV and national authorities, following submission of required documents in line with Government of Bhutan regulations.

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Added 6 days ago - Updated 7 hours ago - Source: unv.org