Field Officer

Organization: American University of Armenia (AUA)

Unit: AUA Acopian Center for the Environment

Project name: Waste Policy Armenia 

Position title: Field Officer

Contract type: Service Contract

Job Location: Armenia

Program background
Improving Waste Policy Implementation in Armenia is a 4-year Program aimed at improving Armenia’s waste management sector capacity to implement more environmentally sound waste management practices through:

1. Providing technical assistance to RA Government in developing and adopting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation for several specific waste streams in line with EU Waste legislation and best practices (Program Component 1);
2. Providing technical assistance to RA Government in developing a national model on waste source separation and introducing it as a system in a pilot municipality (Program Component 2); 
3. Building sector capacities to implement Component 1 and Component 2, as well as to scale up the achieved results (Program Component 3). 

The Program supports the implementation of several provisions set in the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between EU and RA, as well as several provisions regarding “Waste management strategy and its implementation action plan” of the RA Government Program for 2021-2026.

The Program’s principal partners and beneficiaries are the RA Ministry of Environment (MoE), RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (MTAI), and a target municipality to be selected from Kotayk or Gegharkunik provinces.  

Scope of work

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Field Officer shall: 

• Support the implementation of the Program and all its activities within three Components with a greater focus on Component 2. It is suggested that the contributions of the Field Officer are distributed between the Program components in the following way: Component 1 – 10%, Component 2 – 60%, Component 3 – 30%;
• Serve as the Program liaison, focal and information point for the Component 2 by maintaining a constant communication with the Component 2 key stakeholders, specifically the pilot municipality, landfill and waste collection operator, partner CSOs, and other stakeholders active in the Program implementation tasks;

• Travel regularly to the pilot municipality (and other partner municipalities within the Component 3) for individual meetings, events, focus group meetings, and Program related activities or trainings, and ensure effective work relations with key stakeholders throughout the Program;
• Monitor activities and performance progress within the pilot municipality according to the Program Operational Manual (POM), Program Monitoring Plan, and other approved Program documents;
• Inform and alert the Program Manager and Program Coordinator in case of any suspicion of corruption and irregularities;
• Provide written feedback and systematic upgrade of information and elevate potential risks within the Program components to the Program Manager;
• Contribute to the preparation of terms of references for various services related to the Program components implementation;
• Participate in the activities related to the Internal Control Review and Program Audit, including ToR preparation, procurement, organization of bidder conferences, provision of necessary information to auditors, etc.;
• Contribute to the preparation of Program Operational Manual (POM), and carrying out of Program mid-term review and post-intervention review of the Program results, Program financial audit, and Program final reporting;

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Economics, Systems Management, Business, or related fields, or in their absence, demonstrated experience/knowledge in related fields;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing skills, including ability to produce high quality practical reports and knowledge products;
• Preferably, a good understanding of the waste management sector context and structure, waste market systems structure and performance, sub or related sectors;
• At least 3 years of field officer or similar experience;
• Experience in environmental sector related projects or programs;
• Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills; proven experience and technical ability to assist a large project;
• Effective interpersonal, management and negotiation skills proven through successful interaction with stakeholders, including government officials, regional/local authorities, experts and NGOs/communities;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Fluency in Armenian and English; ability to write clearly and concisely in both languages;
• Proficiency with standard computer applications; and
• Integrity and ethical standards; positive, with constructive attitude to work; 

Application process: Inquiries, nominations and applications will be treated confidentially. 

Applicants must submit a letter of interest detailing their qualifications for the position, a Curriculum Vitae, and the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three to five references that have firsthand knowledge of the applicant's potential for the career. All documents should be submitted electronically to [email protected] with the subject heading “Field Officer/WPA”. The announcement is open until filled. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified for interview.

AUA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active non-discrimination program within the institution.