The Assistant Programme Officer (Environment) for SCYCLE Programme Unit provides planning, implementation and project management support for UNITAR’s portfolio in the area of circular economy and sustainable waste management.

The post will provide technical support in various research projects. The post will assist the Senior Scientific Specialist (Statistics) and Manager, SCYCLE programme unit raising the visibility of the activities of the SCYCLE Programme, and UNITAR in general, in the field of circular economy and sustainable waste management and assist the team members in strengthening partnership with international donors and players, including with the government of Germany.

Under the overall supervision of Senior Scientific Specialist, Statistics of Sustainable Cycle (SCYCLE) Programme Unit and the incumbent will:

Assist the implementation of UNITAR SCYCLE portfolio by:

• Assist in collection and analysis of data and information on e-waste, sustainable production and consumption and circular economy at global, regional and national level;
• Assist in the successful implementation of the FutuRaM project and CE-RISE project. In particular, in the development of the conceptual development (WP1), foresight on secondary raw materials (WP2), secondary raw materials composition (WP3), mapping and characterizing of stocks and waste flows (WP4), and assistance to the communication and dissemination of the project (WP7);
• Assist in developing models to quantify economic and environmental impacts;
• Provide support in assessing the environmental performance at country level in terms of waste management and environmental laws implementation, as well as monitoring its development over time;
• Provide training to the countries’ stakeholders in the analysis and quantification of e-waste related flows and e-waste statistics nationwide;
• Assist and provide tools to the EU countries in the analysis of their e-waste generation and collection rates;
• Assist in fund raising and support the SCYCLE project acquisition;
• Support UNITAR work on research projects, training and implementation, including through performing and coordinating science-based research, gathering and analyzing data, preparing and performing training, and providing client implementation support for the SCYCLE team by drawing conclusions and making recommendations. 
• Provide support in planning and delivery of global, regional and national UNITAR SCYCLE research and training services and other activities; 
• Assist in project deliverables for results and recommendation exercises, including through drafts for inputs and liaison with various colleagues of the SCYCLE team, within UNITAR and project partners across SCYCLE is engaged in;
• Support in preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft reports, briefing notes, policy briefs, background papers, analytical notes, presentations, monitors and scientific publications;
• Assist in proofreading project documents and other publications;
• Keep records of SCYCLE’s publications;
• Provide inputs about news and events for website and social media, and update data and content of the SCYCLE’s website.

Assist the development and expansion of UNITAR SCYCLE portfolio by:

• Provide research, technical and project management support for activities related to circular economy, sustainable consumption and production, collecting national statistics, and modelling at global level, and activities to support the European Commission legislative procedures related to waste management and legislation;
• Assist in SCYCLE’s partnership building activities and preparation of project concepts in order to help to expand UNITAR’s research and training portfolio in the area of sustainable cycles, e-waste, strategic approaches towards sustainability and circular economy;
• Assist in developing training material and capacity building workshops tailored to pertinent stakeholders;
• Post and circulating relevant publications to pertinent stakeholders.

Assist the Project team and Management by:

• Coordinate activities, tasks and work packages when required, liaising and keeping efficient communication with all involved partners;
• Support projects overall management, including through the preparation of deliverables such as project risks assessment, data management model, ethics requirements, business plans, etc.;
• Contribute to projects communication and dissemination activities, including stakeholders engagement activities;
• Assist in building and strengthening the partnerships with international organizations, research and training institutions, and practitioners;
• Mapping relevant stakeholders for consultation and projects collaboration;
• Contribute to the identification and mobilization of project resources through appropriate proposals;
• Provide administrative and substantive functions to consultative and other meetings, events linked to the projects’ tasks, to include proposing agenda topics, preparation of background documents, presentations and records, handling logistics etc.;
• Undertake project outreach activities; participates in the development of research and training; prepares and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
• Participate in meetings and missions;
• Promote stakeholders’ dialogue and interaction at national and regional level.

The Assistant Programme Officer will be expected to provide assistance and support to the Supervisor and the Team members for the execution of the SCYCLE Programme portfolio with respect to the following:

• Provide Draft Outputs to the supervisor in a timely fashion and of high quality.
• Assist Supervisor in communications in dealing with countries and project partners are professional and systematic.
• Provide High quality research and inputs for the development of research and training products development.
• Assistance to the supervisor in internal and external meetings pertaining to SCYCLE mandate, as needed.
• Help in identifying potential resource mobilization opportunities.
• Support the SCYCLE team members in UNITAR internal and also external meetings with a wide range of stakeholders, as needed.
• Effective prioritization of work, initiative and responsibility taken for work within the programme/projects served.

The post provides coordination and assistance in executing project activities being a team member, in accordance with the institute’s and the programme unit’s strategy and values.

• Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of environmental sciences and related experience in the area of coordinating and supporting the project and programme design and implementation including at country, regional and global level. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; is able to maintain effective working relations within teams composed of various colleagues working on a specific task; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; very good inter-personal skills and a demonstrated capacity to deal with colleagues and counterparts from different backgrounds, and proven ability to function in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnical environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Planning & Organizing: Sound planning and organizational skills and ability to prioritize own work, delivering results and quality work, including when working under pressure Under supervision, adjusts priorities and formulates plans as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitor adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time and resources efficiently.
• Accountability: Acts in full consultation and in compliance with instructions, takes responsibility for delegated assignments; is accountable and trustworthy on administrative and financial matters requiring professional discretion and restraint; honours commitments by delivering outputs within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.
• Communications: Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentation), including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written documents, such as training materials, reports, studies, strategies, and other communication materials, articulating ideas in a clear and concise style, including ability to prepare and deliver targeted and results-oriented presentations

Education: Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in one or more of the following: Environmental engineering, environmental Sciences, Waste management, Environmental assessment or other equivalent related technical field.

Experience:

A minimum of one year of experience at the international level in the fields of environmental sciences, e-waste-management or any other relevant fields; demonstrated proficiency in coordinating and supporting the electronic waste or circular economy project and programme design and implementation including at country, regional and global level is desirable.

Languages: Proficiency in English is required, and Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.