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Technical Senior Associate - Environmental, Multiple positions

Colombo

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Colombo
  • Grade: Administrative support - LICA-7, Local Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Administrative support
    • Environment
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

UNOPS in Sri Lanka is based in Colombo and is responsible for helping the Government of Sri Lanka and partner organizations deliver social and economic rehabilitation in areas affected by the 2004 tsunami and decades of armed conflict. UNOPS in Sri Lanka helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including physical infrastructure, the environment and poverty mitigation.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS has signed an MOU with an intergovernmental organization called  SACEP (South Asia Cooperative Environment Program). SACEP is implementing the World Bank (WB)-funded Plastic free Rivers & Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project in South Asia. In accordance with the Agreement, UNOPS should provide implementation support and advice to SACEP in implementing the (PLEASE). In particular, UNOPS is expected 

to assist the Project Implementation Unit (PIU)  in implementing a Regional Competitive Block Grant (RBG) 

Under Component 1 of PLEASE. 

Under the overall Supervision of the UNOPS Environmental Specialist, the Incumbent will support the SACEP PIU and provide Technical Assistance in Implementation of the Component 1 of PLEASE Project, especially in activities listed below.

Functional Responsibilities

Technical Support 

  • Provide technical support to PIU and SACEP for the screening and evaluation of Concept Notes and Project Proposals, and ensure a high quality selection process is adhered. 

  • Provide technical assistance to selected grantee(s) to ensure the implementation of Environmental and Social Management Plan, complying with World Bank standards. 

  • Ensure targeted projects comply with national policy, and advise on possible project based mitigation measures. Educate grantee(s) to ensure detailed understanding of country-based national policy  and standards and how it influences plastic waste management and PLEASE project objectives. 

  • Support the PIU and SACEP in undertaking social and environmental due diligence studies and recommend required mitigation measures. 

  • Provide support and make recommendations to SACEP and PIU in evaluating proposals and making recommendations.

  • Study technologies to be used or being used by grantees to process plastic by ensuring a circular economy. 

  • Support PIU to obtain regular progress reports from grantees. 

  • Support project team to monitor regular project progress and develop narrative reports and possible risks associated with the direction of project implementation. 


Knowledge Management

  • Review standard environmental and social management plans and develop tailor made plans for specific projects and support to ensure compliance with project standards.

  • Support to reduce and reuse plastic usage and encourage private sector innovation within the project boundary at local level. 

  • Review regular reports and identify operational priorities, best practices and lessons learned. 

  • Identify stakeholders who are working in the same area and encourage coordination with the project team.  

  • Monitoring all the activities falls under Environmental and Social Management Plan and ensures technical compliance. 

  • Conduct life cycle analysis of plastic for specific industries / facilities. 

Competencies

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:
  • A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) preferably in Environmental Science, Natural Science, Environmental Engineering, or other relevant field is required.
  • Academic experience in Sustainability or Environmental Management is required.

Work Experience 

  • At least 3 years of experience in environmental management and environmental monitoring (such as environmental assessments, risk-based  assessments, implementation) is required. 

  • Experience in one (or more) of the following areas is highly desirable: Environmental and Social Safeguard Matrix, Environmental Screening, Environmental Impact Assessment, 

  • Experience working with the private sector especially in relation to plastic waste management, biodiversity, ecosystems and sustainable natural resources management is considered an asset. 

  • Knowledge and previous experience working with the World Bank ESF and/or the UN Model Approach is an asset.

Language requirement:
  • Full working knowledge of English.
  • Working knowledge of a local language is highly desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA 
Contract level: Local ICA Support as LICA 7 

Contract duration: 1) Full-time open-ended position, or 2) Several possible short-term / part-time opportunities (see below). Both are subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Modality
There are two contract options to consider in this vacancy announcement:

  1. Full-time open-ended (no end date) contract. The successful candidate is expected to be based in Copenhagen and be willing to travel when required. 
  2. Short-term / part-time opportunities. The successful candidates may be considered for retainer contracts or similar. Those interested can be home-based and must be willing to travel when required.

When submitting your application, please specify in your cover letter which of the above two options you prefer. 

More information on retainer contracts:

  • A retainer ICA does not accord any exclusivity to the Individual Contractor with respect to the Services listed in the job description. UNOPS shall have no limitation on its right to obtain Services of the same kind from any other source at any time.

  • A retainer Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor may be required intermittently.

  • A retainer ICA will specify a unit price (e.g. amount per day actually worked). For budgetary purposes, a monetary limit will be specified at the time the ICA is awarded and issued.

  • UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of Services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA.

  • Payment will be made only after completion of work (if any) or reaching agreed milestones.



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

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
  • 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.

  • Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types

Terms and Conditions 

  • 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.

  • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) at no cost to UNOPS, before providing services to UNOPS.
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
  • 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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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