In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Within this context, UNDP has committed to continuously improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and environmental performance of its operations, recognizing that internal operational practices directly affect institutional credibility, partner trust, and staff engagement. The Strategic Plan highlights the need to modernize management practices, strengthen data-driven decision-making, reduce waste and inefficiencies, and align operational systems with UNDP’s broader climate and environmental ambitions.
- Guide and support the integration of waste management considerations into UNDP’s environmental monitoring and reporting systems, including the Environmental Management Tool (EMT).
- Develop training materials, deliver webinars, and provide targeted support to focal points to improve data quality, consistency, and usability for management decision‑making.
- Provide on-going support to monitoring and reporting efforts by facilities and COs, assist in developing, testing and maintaining assumptions and calculations to generate valuable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
- In the context of UNDP’s Scope 3 Strategy, develop assessment methodologies, coordinate EMT programming and support data collection for project end-of-life waste impacts and support development of subsequent management guidance.
- Based on EMT data, consultations with Country Offices, and engagement with technical networks, develop evidence‑based recommendations for corporate‑level actions that improve waste management outcomes while reducing operational inefficiencies and avoidable costs.
- Prepare briefing materials to support senior management endorsement and strategic decision‑making. Support the development and change management aspects of the Waste Management and Resource Efficiency Strategy.
- Guide and support the organization‑wide roll‑out of waste management initiatives through clear communications, consultations with Country Offices, and documentation of lessons learned.
- Practical implementation, peer learning, and solutions that balance ambition with feasibility.
- Organize and lead regular webinars and technical-level discussions. Provide bilateral helpdesk support to Country Offices, Regional Hubs and Headquarters as needed.
- Contribute to other Greening Moonshot activities as required, including coordination with procurement, facilities, IT, and programme teams to ensure alignment between operational sustainability objectives, efficiency gains, and UNDP’s broader climate and development commitments.
- Apply a pragmatic, solutions‑oriented approach that strengthens UNDP’s leadership on sustainable operations while recognizing the diversity of operational contexts across regions and offices.
- Identify capacity building needs and opportunities.
- Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
The Waste Management Specialist will work under the guidance of the BMS and BPPS Moonshot Secretariat Managers and report directly to the Moonshot Secretariat Coordinator. The candidate will be responsible for the fulfilment of the duties and responsibilities specified above.
The incumbent will work from home and will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment. The incumbent will be responsible for providing his/her own working station (i.e., laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have reliable internet connection. The incumbent will engage virtually with the supervisor and/or the team on a regular basis. Given the global scope of the work undertaken during this assignment, the incumbent is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability taking into consideration different time zones.
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Thematic Area | Name | Definition
External Relations and Advocacy | Communication | Communicate in a clear, concise and
unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the
audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social
media and other appropriate channels
Business Direction and Strategy | System Thinking | Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element
can impact on other parts of the system
Business Direction and Strategy | Effective Decision Making | Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.
Business Management | Project Management | Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve
specific goals
Business Management | Working with Evidence and Data | Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
Business Development | Knowledge Generation | Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
2030 Agenda: Planet | Chemicals & Waste Hub | Chemicals and Waste: Waste to Energy
Education:
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience working in the field of waste management and corporate environmental management is required.
• Experience in environmental monitoring systems desired.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and creatively is desirable
• Demonstrated ability to work in high pressure environments and with tight deadlines.
Fluency in English is required.
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
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.
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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