Organization: American University of Armenia (AUA)

Unit: AUA Acopian Center for the Environment

Project name: Waste Policy Armenia 

Position title: Junior Experts (nationals of RA)

Start Date: March 10, 2023

End Date: July 25, 2023 

Contract type:  Service Contract

Job Location: Yerevan, Armenia

Program background
Waste Policy 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), Sevan Municipality  and other municipalities to be selected from Kotayk or Gegharkunik provinces.  

Expected Junior Expert Profiles
The Program is seeking for Junior Experts in the following fields:

• Junior Expert in Environmental Law
• Junior Expert in Waste Management
• Junior Expert in Community Outreach.

Scope of work

Under guidance of the Program Manager and key Senior Experts, the Junior Experts will support the successful delivery of Program outcomes through engaging in the following activities:

• Work with Program team to support the introduction of source separation of waste in Armenia, including:
  • Supporting the policy dialogue and stakeholder process, including Program key stakeholders, specifically Sevan municipality, landfill and waste collection operators, partner CSOs, and other stakeholders,
  • Supporting the organization of awareness campaigns and capacity building for stakeholders, 
  • Conducting field visits and participating in stakeholder meetings;
  • Conducting desktop research and contributing to reporting;
  • Supporting the delivery of technical assistance and training to Sevan municipality and other partner local governments, as well as other key stakeholders
  • Supporting the surveys, focus group discussions, and other stakeholder consultation activities;
• Work with Program team to support the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system in Armenia, including:
  • Supporting the development and adoption of national legislation on EPR,
  • Supporting the policy dialogue and stakeholder process,
  • Supporting the surveys, focus group discussions, and other stakeholder consultation activities;
• Ensure legal and ethical implementation of the Program activities;
• Participate in Program activities, team meetings, stakeholder engagement activities, discussions, workshops and seminars,  staff trainings, and other activities; and
• Other duties and tasks that may be necessary for successful Program implementation.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Studies, Law, Engineering, Social or Political Sciences or related fields, or in their absence, demonstrated experience or knowledge in the related fields;
• Preferably, a good understanding of the waste management sector context and structure, waste market systems structure and performance, sub or related sectors;
• Effective interpersonal, management and negotiation skills proven through successful interaction with stakeholders, including government officials, regional/local authorities, experts and NGOs/communities;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing skills, including ability to produce high quality practical reports and knowledge products;
• Fluency in Armenian and English; ability to write clearly and concisely in both languages; and
• Integrity and ethical standards, positive, with constructive attitude to work.

Application process: Inquiries, nominations and applications will be treated confidentially. Review of all applications will begin after March 15, 2023. Applications that arrive later may be considered at the discretion of the search committee until the positions are filled.

Applicants must submit a letter of interest detailing their qualifications for the position and research agenda, 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 a career. All documents should be submitted electronically to [email protected] with the subject heading “Junior Expert / WPA” until March 15, 2023. 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.