Environmental Management Associate (Circular Economy)

Details

Mission and objectives

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. It helps countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, and institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its work is concentrated in three focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peacebuilding, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. UNDP advocates for change, and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP Cambodia Country Office works in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, multilateral aid agencies, bilateral donors and the private sector to support the progress toward the Cambodia SDGs. The Country Office, based in Phnom Penh, has a four-unit structure – Operations Unit, Policy and Innovations Unit, Result- Based Management Unit, and Programme and Results Unit. The incumbent will be a member of the Programme and Results Unit and is expected to work as a project team member for the Civic Engagement Project and Strengthening Transparency and Accountability Project. The Programme and Results Unit is mainly responsible for the implementation and oversight (programmatic and financial oversight) of the Country Office’s projects and initiatives.

Context

Cambodia’s economy and population have grown rapidly in tandem. From 2011 to 2021, GDP per capita increased from US$882 to early US$1,625 in 2021 (WB 2022). Meanwhile, the population grew from 13.8 million in 2008 to 16.6 million in 2021 (WB 2023). The growing economy and population have vastly increased the use of energy and materials and the amount of waste generated. This has added significant pressure on Cambodia’s resources, and environment, along with alarming levels of pollution, which threatens public health in the major cities. To tackle the environmental challenges, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) developed the national Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan (2021-2035). This plan includes a foundational vision and mission for the Circular Economy in Cambodia. Thus far, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Cambodia has assisted the RGC in advancing priority circular economy initiatives, primarily focusing on plastic management. These initiatives include: 1) combatting marine plastic litter project, 2) developing and implementing a National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), and 3) Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge (EPPIC). Building on these initiatives, UNDP is also developing a circular economy portfolio aiming to address the issue holistically.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Environmental Policy Specialist (Circular Economy), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Support effective and timely project implementation for circular economy related projects when and if required: • Support the project team in developing strategies and implementation plan and roadmaps for the project and ensure that project activities are fully aligned with the project objectives and the targets especially for the works on natural resources management; • Support the Environmental Policy Specialist, and National Project Manager in preparation of quarterly and annual technical work plans for project activities and preparation of PEB according to their respective reporting guidelines; • Contribute to the preparation of Concept Notes, and Terms of References (TORs), to identify and evaluate experts, and to review reports produced, following UNDP rules and regulations; • Support preparation of project related meetings including project board meetings; • Contribute to and support the project management team in annual work planning process to ensure that the annual work-plan meets required standard of quality, is result-based and within the specific constraints of time and cost. 2. Contribute to UNDP’s policy engagement in terms of policy dialogue, research, partnership, and communication and advocacy: • Support development of internal briefing notes on environment for UNDP senior management; • Support production of high-quality research papers for UNDP presentation at work-shops and conferences; • Work with the Communication team in translating research findings and policy en-gagement works into communications products, in the print and social media; • Utilize UNDP Cambodia’s social media presence as a means to build and to main-tain communities of practice and constituencies around the relevant policy and programming areas; • Participate in and contribute towards Communication and Advocacy events and activities. 3. Contribute to building up of a programme pipeline, mobilizing resources, and the formulation and design of new programmes and projects in line with the Country Programme, global standards, UNSDCF, UNDP Strategic Plan and corporate direc-tion: • Contribute to the design of new programmes and projects including proposals for Global Environmental Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), and other do-nors; • Contribute to promoting a public and private partnership by engaging the govern-ment, and the private sector in the development and implementation of new envi-ronmental initiatives; • Support research and analysis of information on development partners and the preparation of substantive briefs on areas of cooperation.