To deliver high-impact technical and coordination support to ensure the successful implementation of the South Sudan component of the JSB project. By leading circular economy pilot initiatives, facilitating knowledge-sharing or south-south cooperation exchanges, and contributing to regional or intergovernmental policy dialogue, and strengthen national responses to plastic pollution. This will be through timely donor reporting, strategic partner engagement, and integration of project outcomes into UN Country Team processes, in addition contribute to enhanced institutional capacity and elevate the visibility of Japan-funded circular economy solutions across Africa.
Responsibilities
The incumbent will support the Project Focal Point in carrying out the following duties:
- Preparing
feasibility assessments and supporting pilot projects for reuse/refill
solutions in collaboration with women- and youth-led enterprises.
- Providing
technical guidance to SMEs in identifying and overcoming barriers to
adopting circular practices, particularly integrating reuse and refill
into business models. • Coordinating capacity-building activities and
co-developing training materials for plastic-to-brick production targeting
youth and women.
- Liaising/Coordinating
with government entities (e.g., Ministry of Environment and Forestry), UN
agencies (e.g., UNMISS), local communities, NGOs, and private sector
partners to build and maintain strategic partnerships.
- Supporting
development of south-south cooperation initiatives and knowledge-sharing
exchanges on circular economy and plastic pollution solutions.
Facilitating regional training workshops for negotiators and technical
experts on circular economy and plastics treaty processes.
- Overseeing
design and implementation of knowledge exchange programmes on plastic
waste management, including learning from Japan and other international
partners. • Preparing awareness-raising materials and community case
studies to highlight project outcomes and local innovations.
- Drafting
technical reports, narrative updates, and visibility products for UNEP and
donor reporting.
- Preparing
policy briefs and technical documents to inform national and regional
policy discussions, including for AMCEN and other high-level events.
- Providing
policy and technical assistance to senior decision-makers and negotiators
to support political momentum on plastic pollution management. Development
of knowledge products capturing lessons learned, success stories, and
opportunities for replication and scaling.
- Development
of baseline data collection frameworks, mid-term reviews, and monitoring
tools to assess project impact.
- Contributing
to quarterly and final project reports, including risk assessments and
recommendations for corrective action.
- Following
up with the UN Country Team and UNRC structure to ensure project alignment
with national priorities and facilitate input into Common Country
Assessments (CCAs).
- Liaising/coordinating
with other sub-programmes in Africa Office and UNEP Divisions and Offices
in providing scientific and technical support and advice to the project.
- Organizing
and maintaining information and knowledge management database of the
project.
- Researching,
compiling, evaluating and analyzing information and data on plastic
pollution management and sharing such knowledge with stakeholders and
partners.
- Monitoring,
backstopping and assessing the implementation of the project, including
delivery of services for quality control.
- Monitoring
reporting by providing prompt feedback on the contents of the report and
consolidating progress reports, terminal reports and participating in
evaluation for projects. Preparing briefing notes, inputs to speeches and
similar material for the project.
- Developing
and maintaining close communication and relations with project
stakeholders.
- Other
duties as required, including administrative tasks related to the assigned
substantive activities, as may be assigned by the Project Focal Point.
Qualifications
- An
Advanced University degree, in Environmental Science, Environmental
Governance, Project Management, Social Sciences or related field.
Experience:
- A
minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project
and/or programme management, with a broad range of sustainable development
issues in the African region, working with governments and civil society
in environment and natural resources management is required.
- Proven
experience in designing and implementing circular economy solutions in
developing country contexts, particularly through identifying reuse
opportunities and addressing systemic barriers, with a dedicated focus on
enabling Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to adopt and scale
sustainable practices is required
- Experience
in developing public education and awareness materials on plastic
pollution and circular economy practices tailored to country-specific
contexts related to Africa is desirable
- Extensive
experience in donor engagement, including drafting progress updates and
final technical reports that align with UNEP and external donor
requirements is required.
- Prior
involvement in projects funded by the Government of Japan or implemented
under the Japan Supplementary Budget is considered a significant asset.
- Demonstrated
experience organizing and facilitating capacity-building and
knowledge-sharing sessions for African stakeholders, particularly
negotiators involved in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC)
for the global plastic treaty is required.
- Proven
experience convening knowledge exchange programmes that foster regional
collaboration, including south-south learning and joint engagements with
Japanese stakeholders to share lessons and best practices on circular
plastic economy is required.
- Strong
ability to draft concise, informative policy briefs and technical reports,
and provide technical guidance to high-level decision-makers—including
policymakers, and senior negotiators—to garner political support and
inform regional platforms such as the African Ministerial Conference on
the Environment (AMCEN), particularly on initiatives targeting plastic
pollution management is required. Experience working within the UN Country
Team system and effectively communicating project results to the UNRC structure.
- Experience
facilitating update of Common Country Assessments (CCAs) to include
plastic pollution action is desirable
How to Apply
