Methane and Pollution Reduction in LAC, Programme Associate

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system. UNEP uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement environmental obligations at the country, regional and global levels. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

The UNEP is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

The waste sector generates about 20% of global methane emissions, mainly from decomposing organic waste and wastewater—contributing roughly 30% to global warming. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), where organic waste makes up 50% of the waste stream, nearly half of all waste is still poorly managed across over 10,000 dumpsites. This presents a major opportunity for low-cost methane mitigation through prevention, treatment, and valorization. In 2018, the UNEP-led Coalition for the Progressive Closure of Dumpsites was established to support countries in phasing out unsound waste practices. Transforming the sector through circular economy approaches, better financing, and inclusion of the region’s 4 million informal waste pickers is key to meeting climate and equity goals.

This post is based in Panama City, Panama, to serve the work in the LAC region, in support of the joint work of LACO with other teams in UNEP. This UNV will contribute to UNEP’s strategy and Programme of Work as well as to the Work plan of the LAC Forum of Ministers of Environment, in particular UNEP’s work on the Dumpsite Closure and Reduction of Methane Emissions from Organic Waste in LAC, as well as the UNEP pollution and financial and economic transformation programmes, including on chemicals and waste, atmospheric pollution, plastics and circular economy.

Under the direct supervision of Programme officers and supervisors from UNEP LAC OF, the International UN Volunteer Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

    
Support the implementation of resolutions and decisions adopted by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) and the LAC Forum of Ministers of Environment, particularly in the areas of zero waste, methane reduction, atmospheric pollution and circular economy.

Support the implementation of the “Regional Cooperation Programme for Dumpsite Closure and Reduction of Methane Emissions from Organic Waste in LAC”, including supporting the delivery of cooperation activities, in coordination with relevant stakeholders at regional and national level.

Support the design and implementation of methane mitigation initiatives in the waste sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on upstream, midstream, and downstream solutions including avoidance, diversion, valorisation, infrastructure improvements, and progressive dumpsite closure.

Assist in the development of enabling policies and regulatory frameworks to empower subnational governments to advance waste methane reduction goals, including through integrated planning, public awareness campaigns, and civic engagement on food loss, sustainable consumption, and organic waste separation.

Assist in strengthening national data systems, including support for waste emission inventories, baseline assessments, and the implementation of Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems for methane and other GHG emissions in alignment with national and international reporting requirements.

Support other related intergovernmental and cooperation initiatives in LAC, in the context of the Forum of Ministers of Environment, including on air quality, chemicals and waste management, plastic pollution, and circular economy.

Contribute to the preparation of technical and policy documents, including background notes, analytical reports, project updates, communications materials, and inputs to regional and global publications on methane mitigation in the waste sector.

Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; develop project proposals, monitor and analyse programme/project development and implementation; develop contracts with implementing partners; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties including local and international stakeholders; identify and track follow-up actions; monitor impact of projects; support the reporting of project process to donors.