Technical Specialist - Environment

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-10 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-10 contracts.

Background Information - Sri Lanka

UNOPS in Sri Lanka

UNOPS has supported Sri Lanka’s development since 1998, expanding operations in 2005 to support the post-tsunami response and reconstruction process. Within the organization’s mandate in project management, infrastructure, and procurement, UNOPS Sri Lanka implements customized socio-economic development projects that benefit vulnerable people and develop national capacities. Achievements in Sri Lanka include the development of sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, procurement services & capacity building, and project management in education, fisheries, roads, health, water supply systems; flood control and sanitation, and integrated solid waste management sectors. UNOPS works closely with Government counterparts and communities to ensure increased ownership, sustainability and accountability of Projects. Key projects in Sri Lanka include the Technical Project Management support for the Maternal and Newborn Health Care Strengthening Project in Matara District, Sri Lanka funded by KOICA.

UNOPS Sri Lanka also facilitated over $22 million worth of procurement of COVID-19 protection equipment and services in partnership with the World Bank, the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund.

Project Information UNOPS has signed an MOU with an intergovernmental organization called SACEP (South Asia Cooperative Environment Program). SACEP is implementing the World Bank-funded PLEASE Project in South Asia. In accordance with the Agreement, UNOPS should provide implementation support and advice to SACEP in implementing the Plastic free Rivers & Seas for South Asia Project (PLEASE). UNOPS is expected to assist the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in implementing the RBGs (Regional Competitive Block Grants) under Component 1, Component 2 and Component 3 of the PLEASE Project.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Management Support Specialist (Field Coordination), and overall Supervision of the Senior Programme Manager. The Incumbent will support UNOPS to implement project activities in the country and provide technical support and advice to the project lead, in communication with the project HQ in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

1. Technical advice and support to grant implementation - Guide the grantees to understand strategic directions and technical features of the project and ensure high quality of the project implementation. This may include issues specific to pollution from the specific projects, emissions reduction, energy conservation, environmental and development of social management plan. - Provide technical advice to the grantees to develop key guidance, templates and other management tools and instruments as required, to enhance the ability of project personnel and teams to plan and implement environmental management activities in their projects, such as Environmental Management Frameworks, Environment Management Plans or Environment Impact Assessments, among others. - Direct grantees to carry out environmental due diligence to sub grantees, contractors and suppliers prior to commencement of project work to ensure that the ones with unsatisfactory performance are not engaged. - Train the grantees to understand plastic waste characteristic and possible leakages to natural system. - Guide the grantees to organize training to the selected sup grantees / partners / beneficiaries to earn knowledge on properties of plastic waste and possible solutions to the specific types of the plastic waste. - Guide grantees to improve knowledge on plastic waste management; develop reports on comparison on national, international and product stands on key parameters relevant to the specific project. - Promote grantees to earn deep knowledge on plastic waste issues in the country and possible solutions that could ease the plastic waste management issues in the country; understand the global trend of plastic treatment options and explore possibilities to implement innovative projects. - Familiar with ISO/TR 23891:2020 and ISO 14001 and look for a possibility to adopt the standard to the local context. - Identify possible risks that may be encountered by the grantees and assist to develop suitable mitigation measures. - Thorough understanding on national policy related to plastic waste management and guide the grantees to assist government in framing plastic waste management in the local context and regional requirements.

2. Guide grantees to develop technical documents for the operations of facilities - Provide technical advice, directions and a quality assurance framework within the region in relation to Environment and Sustainability. - Guide the grantee to development of standard operations procedures for the facility supported through the PLEASE project and ensure the facility is managed as per the standard operations procedures. - Guide the grantee to provide technical inputs to develop standard operating procedure and facilitate obtaining validation from the respective national and regional counterparts. - Be responsible to explore destructive technology and estimate risk to the existing projects and develop mitigation measures. - Responsible for guiding guarantees to conduct time and motion study and set up an effective plastic waste collection system.

3. Lead to explore new innovative idea and support to test the prototypes - Guide grantees to develop new innovation and develop prototypes. Facilitate the grantees to test the prototypes. - Support grantees for the coordination with national universities and find out new trends of the research and interest of students and faculty members in the plastic waste management. - Be responsible for facilitating the grantees to coordinate with research institutes or universities to test samples of products produced at the facility. - Review the test report and provide advice and recommendation to the production process improvement if required. - Suggest opportunities to the grantee to seek possibilities to expand the project and diversify the products.

4. Guide grantees to develop reports and grant monitoring and evaluation - Review technical reports and provide comments for improvements. - Be responsible to align skills and policies of the grantees with sectoral strategies that contribute to export growth, economic diversification, and employment creation. - Capacitate grantees to build and maintain an institution for continuous skills dialogue and support to implementation. - Be responsible for Integration into broader technical assistance to the grantees in the area of skills, trade, sector development and employment promotion. - Guide the grantees to develop write-ups / articles related to the project and ensure it meets international standards. - Participate in QC/QA missions and provide technical analysis and advice. - Support communications and knowledge management activities under the project.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, Environmental Science, Natural Science, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability or Environmental Management is required. - An additional 2 years of relevant work experience in combination with a relevant first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced university degree.

Experience: - A minimum of 5 years of experience in the Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, plastic waste management at industrial scale, environmental management sector is required. - Research experience and relevant publication records are required. - Familiarity with the national and international policy framework, standards, and systems in plastic management is required. - Experience in drafting of impact assessments and plans such as ESIAs, ESMPs and ESMF, etc. is an asset.

Language Requirements: - Fluency in English is required. - Knowledge of the local language(s) is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA (Individual Contractor Agreement) Contract level: Local ICA Specialist 10 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• This vacancy is open ONLY for SRI LANKAN nationals.
  • 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.

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.