Project Management Support Specialist (Waste Management)

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

The South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO) supports UNOPS operations across six countries: Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAMCO delivers a broad range of services and technical expertise in climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), infrastructure, procurement, human resource management, and fund management. Each country office is staffed with local technical experts and maintains strong partnerships with national governments, ensuring context-specific solutions and effective project implementation.

Since 1999, UNOPS has been a committed partner in Pakistan, supporting the country’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNOPS focuses on delivering essential services, including strengthening health systems, expanding access to WASH facilities in remote areas, and improving infrastructure for schools and communities. We also support emergency response efforts, delivering critical medical supplies and essential services during times of crisis. Through close collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, development partners, donors, and UN agencies, UNOPS works to build resilient, sustainable communities. Leveraging expertise in project management, procurement, human resources, and infrastructure, we provide tailored solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and maximize development impact.

The “Promoting Sustainability and Decent Work in the PET Recycling Value Chain” is a project funded by The Coca Cola Foundation (TCCF), and managed by UNOPS. The project aims to promote sustainability and decent work by improving polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle collection and recycling in Islamabad Capital Territory, enhancing the working conditions of informal waste workers through the establishment of informal waste worker cooperatives, creating the potential for PPP to sustain PET recycling initiatives (including reduction of reliance on virgin plastic), and fostering a circular economy. 

The project will conduct a diagnostic study to map the PET value chain, introduce capacity building on occupational safety and sorting techniques, promote worker formalization into cooperatives, and advocate for policy reforms including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This will involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, recycling facilities, and local communities (informal waste workers). 

The Project Management Support Specialist (Waste Management) is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive diagnostic study on the PET recycling value chain, combining data analysis with stakeholder engagement to generate actionable insights. The role is also responsible for delivering policy-aligned recommendations to strengthen inclusive and sustainable waste management systems.

The Specialist will be responsible for leading the design, implementation, and analysis of a comprehensive diagnostic study, alongside providing technical and policy advisory support to strengthen solid waste management plans and promote Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Islamabad. Specific responsibilities include:

1. Diagnostic Study Design and Implementation

• Support in the planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities in line with approved work plans, budgets and quality standards.

• Lead the development and execution of a diagnostic study, including methodology, tools, and analytical frameworks.

• Conduct sector mapping to assess the current PET value chain/waste management landscape.

• Undertake gap analysis to identify institutional, regulatory, and operational challenges.

• Generate evidence-based findings to inform policy and programmatic interventions.

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation

• Design and implement structured stakeholder engagement processes.

• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and multi-stakeholder consultations.

• Facilitate/conduct validation workshop to review findings and build consensus.

• Ensure inclusive engagement of key stakeholders, including municipal authorities, informal waste collectors, recycling entities, and policymakers.

3. Technical and Policy Advisory

• Develop evidence-based and actionable policy recommendations aligned with national and local regulatory and policy frameworks.

• Promote and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanisms, ensuring integration into existing waste management systems.

• Lead and contribute to the formulation, review, and strengthening of solid waste management plans/EPR approaches and regulatory instruments in Islamabad.

• Integrate sustainability considerations, private sector participation, and inclusion of informal waste sector actors into system design and policy recommendations.

4. Reporting and Deliverables

• Prepare a comprehensive diagnostic study report, including sector mapping, gap analysis, and policy recommendations.

• Document stakeholder engagement processes and key insights.

• Develop presentations, briefs/policy recommendations supporting EPR adoption and improved waste management regulations.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in environmental science, waste management, civil engineering with 7 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in relevant discipline with 5 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• A globally recognized professional certificate (Prince 2) or membership in Project Management is desired.

Required

• Relevant experience is work in project management or related areas.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in solid waste management with particular experience in the PET value chain assessment is required
• Experience in developing and implementing waste management strategies/plans, and has worked in the municipal services sector.
• Experience in using GIS framework for waste value chain mapping, hotspot identification, and service gap analysis is required.
• Knowledge of international best practices and standards for waste worker safety and working conditions is preferred.
• Familiarity with circular economy and senior-level experience in municipal policy-making while worked with the government municipal sector is preferred. 
• Experience in stakeholder engagement (informal waste workers, recycling facilities etc) and coordination is an advantage.
• Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.

• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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. 
• 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.