Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Sustainable Urban Development Section, in the Environment and Development Division in support of an expected technical cooperation project which will provide technical assistance cities in ASEAN to address plastic waste pollution and leakages into the marine environment. The incumbent reports to the Chief, Sustainable Urban Development Section.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Sustainable Urban Development Section, and overall supervision of the Director, Environment and Development Division, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:
Economic or Sector Analysis
• Designs and conducts analysis on selected issues concerning circular economy, municipal waste management and smart technological applications to addressing land based marine litter for application in project cities.
• Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to area of work.
• Formulates proposals for urban development strategies, policies and measures related to the project for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others.
• Attends international, regional, and national meetings to hold discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Organizes trainings, seminars, etc. on urban development issues with a specific focus on sustainable waste management.
• Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.
Intergovernmental Support
• Provides substantive support on urban waste management and circular economy issues to relevant ESCAP intergovernmental bodies such as the Commission, the Committee on Environment and Development and Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development.
Technical Cooperation:
• Implements and monitors a technical cooperation project whose main objective is to reduce the environmental impact of cities in ASEAN by addressing plastic waste pollution and leakages into the marine environment.
• Undertakes missions to member states, either alone or as a participant in a diverse team, as part of the Organization’s technical cooperation activities to address plastic waste pollution in cities.
• Prepares regional, national or sector analyses that provide a basis for advising national and local governments on sustainable urban waste management issues from a circular economy lens.
• Conducts training seminars and workshops for government officials and others on addressing plastic leakages in municipal waste value chains.
• Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of individual technical cooperation projects.
General
• Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback.
• Participates in intra- and inter-Divisional undertakings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of the organizational unit.
• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s service.
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.
Requirements
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental economics, environmental science, engineering, urban planning, urban development, or related field. A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable urban development research and analysis, policy formulation, as well as application of circular economy and urban sustainability principles in development programmes or related area is required. Experience in the United Nations Common System or international organizations is desirable. Experience in managing multi country donor funded projects in the area of sustainable development in South East Asia is desirable.
Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.