Solid Waste Management Specialist

UN High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time position within theTechnical Unit,in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

While Solid Waste Management (SWM) is a multi-sectoral issue, it is coordinated by the WASH sector in Cox’s Bazar and is part of the UNHCR WASH programmatic activities. However, managing solid wastes is a collective challenge that involves several cross-cutting issues including protection, education, public health, environment, community mobilization, infrastructures development and local authorities. The solid waste management specialist will therefore work closely and ensure inter-linkages with the different units of UNHCR Cox’s Bazar operation.

UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 125 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

Title: Solid Waste Management Specialist

Duty Station: UNHCR Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Duration: Initially 06 months (with the possibility of extension)

Contract Type: UNOPS, IICA-2 (equivalent to P3 level)

Closing date: 1 August 2022

Start date: August 2022 (tentative)

Organizational context

Following an outbreak of violence in Rakhine State in Myanmar on 25th August 2017, more than 650,000 Rohingya fled across the border into the Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh, joining the over 200,000 Rohingya refugees who were residing in two refugee camps and many makeshift settlements. Currently there are 923,179 Rohingya refugees residing in 34 camps where solid waste management (SWM) is one of the multi-sectoral critical issues being addressed by the key stakeholders. Significant progress has been achieved over the last years, both in terms of facilities construction, bins distribution, but also in terms of sensitization and coordination. Yet significant gaps remain in the camps, like the rest of the Cox’s Bazar district for which the solid waste situation is also an issue

Although most households living in the camps where UNHCR is the WASH Area Focal Agency (AFA) have received a pair of households segregated bins, the solid wastes segregation practice at household level as well the solid waste collection and transport needs to be strengthened and optimized. In addition, although open drains in the camps aim initially at collecting surface-run-off and wastewater from the dwellings, they are also receiving solid wastes which complicates their maintenance and cleaning and contributes notably to foul odors and vectors attraction.

Only approximately 30% of solid waste generated at household level is collected today across all camps (data from MRF data collection, WASH Sector, January 2022). In the fourteen UNHCR managed camps more than eighteen Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) of varying capacities as well as three landfill sites have been constructed which is not yet sufficient to treat and store all the wastes generated. The topography and land management of the camp settings are not conducive to facilitate collection, transportation, and treatment of solid waste.

Given the complexity of the solid waste management issues, the social, public and environmental stakes, the diversity of stakeholders and the necessity to look at the solid waste situation with an external lens, UNHCR is seeking an experienced SWM Specialist. S/he will help to identify solutions and to build the capacity of actors for an improved design and planning of solid waste management interventions within the 14 UNHCR camps as well as to provide technical support to the WASH Sector on a need basis

The position

Expected Outputs:

  • The UNHCR SWM approach and management strategy is updated, and best practices identified,
  • An UNHCR SWM operational framework and investment plant is updated,
  • UNHCR partners capacity to deal with SWM issues is strengthened,
  • SMW monitoring timeframe is optimized and partners trained,
  • Drains cleaning management plan is consolidated,
  • SWM related software activities are identified, analyzed, and recommendations on the way forward are formulated
  • The capacity of the WASH Sector Coordination team in terms of SWM is strengthened
  • The emergency preparedness and emergency response capacity of the WASH Sector related to SWM and debris management is improved and the relevant Emergency Preparedness/Response plans are updated accordingly

OBJECTIVES

  • The incumbent will be the focal point for UNHCR SWM programmatic activities in all UNHCR managed camps closely collaborating with WASH, Field & site management, Shelter & Site Planning, Energy & Environment, Protection, Health units. S/he will work closely with the UNHCR WASH PPA managers and the WASH implementing and operating partners giving technical support.
  • On a request and need basis, s/he will directly support the WASH sector on SWM related issues and will co-lead the SWM TWiG (Technical Working Group) of the WASH Sector.

Duties and responsibilities

The Solid Waste Management Specialist will support UNHCR SWM programmatic activities and will co-lead the WASH sector SWM Technical Working group on a request basis

Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Assurance

  • Field monitoring of UNHCR implementing and operating partners’ solid waste management activities including solid waste management pilot projects,
  • Review of SWM operation procedures and identify best SWM practices
  • SWM management and gap analysis including treatment capacity gaps, technological gap,s and geographical gaps,
  • Identify, consolidate, compare and evaluate the behavior changes and hygiene promotion activities carried by UNHCR Implementing Partners,
  • Support / improve SWM monitoring system including templates and database

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

  • Capacity building need assessment and on-the job training of local actors,
  • Provide on-site practical advice and guidance to the relevant local authorities by proposing solutions to minimize environmental and health impacts of solid waste;
  • Build the capacity and competence of Partner staff and UNHCR’s staff on both hardware and software components of SWM with a focus on behavioural change communications (BCC),
  • Support field and SMSD unit for the development of an operational drains cleaning m
  • Participate in the review and analysis of partner project proposals and budgetary submissions,
  • Use community-based approaches, including clear involvement of women, girls, boys, and men, elderly, persons with disabilities in the design and implementation of SWM related infrastructure, products, and services.
  • Develop or ensure development of information, education and communication materials through community consultations, collaborating with women, girls, boys, men, elderly, persons with disability, and other potentially marginalised groups
  • Submit technical design concepts on a need basis
  • Build the capacity and competence of Partner staff and UNHCR’s staff on both hardware and software components of SWM with a focus on behavioural change communications (BCC)
  • Co-Lead the SWM TWiG (Technical Working Group) of the WASH Sector

Reporting

  • Collate and analyse data on the satisfaction of PoC with regards to SWM services,
  • Prepare regular sectorial reports and submit material for preparation of periodic project monitoring reports as required.
  • Report regularly on SWM activity implementation by WASH partners, while maintaining accurate records of all relevant performance indicators,
  • Ensure adequate reporting, timely updates and briefings to donor and management.
  • Perform other related duties as required

Emergency WASH response

  • Support emergency preparedness in terms of SWM and debris management, in collaboration with the WASH Sector,
  • Support small-scale emergency responses for all SWM issues including debris management, food waste…
  • With concerned actors, draw some lessons learned and formulate some recommendations following emergency responses

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required

Experience

  • At least 5 years of experience in humanitarian and development contexts, which includes proven experience/involvement in Solid Waste Management in refugee contexts including institutional wastes; experience working in the UN or other international development organization is preferable.
  • Experience in strategic planning and performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, and database management.
  • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels;
  • Familiarity with tools and approaches of SWM projects across the full value chain

Essential requirements

  • 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
  • Field(s) of Education: Environmental Engineering/Environmental Science/Civil Engineering /Public health Science/Social Sciences
  • Excellent working knowledge of English is essential. Knowledge of Bengali is advantageous.

Personal Characteristics

  • Diplomacy, tact and negotiating skills are essential.
  • Ability to work effectively under stress, in a leadership role and/or as part of a team.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills with sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work in a variety of cultural contexts and communicate with a diverse range of people.
  • Ability to provide leadership to ensure that UNHCR’s humanitarian programme is sensitive to the needs of affected populations.
  • Committed to humanitarian principles and quality standards for humanitarian response.
  • Excellent teamwork, and a proven track record of building trust within and empowering teams,
  • Knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to UNHCR’s vision, mission and work.

Location

The successful candidate will be based with the team in UNHCR Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Conditions

The initial duration of the contract is for 6 months, to align with our budget year 2022/ 2023 proportionally. This is a full-time role with working hours starting from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm Sunday to Thursday (40 hours per week).

How to apply

For a full job description and to apply, interested candidates are requested to visit https://bit.ly/3zcQj9f

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

Please note that the closing date for this advertisement is Monday 1 August 2022

https://bit.ly/3zcQj9f


Job Notifications
Subscribe to receive notifications for the latest job vacancies.