Reality Lab Research Coordinator

Unit: AUA Acopian Center for the Environment

Program name: Waste Policy Armenia

Contract type: Project-based Service Contract

Job Location: 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), and a target municipality to be selected from Kotayk or Gegharkunik provinces.

About Reality Lab

AUA Reality Lab is a facility where the faculty, students, local communities, and other stakeholders with knowledge and skills from different backgrounds join forces to address specific complex problems and find solutions, while balancing social, environmental, and economic needs. It is fundamental that participating collaborators in a Reality Lab develop an understanding of the importance of capturing different perspectives on the same issue. While providing opportunities and tools, Reality Labs become creative and attractive meeting places for students, faculty, and the community, enabling sustainable university-public-private partnerships.

In the frames of the Waste Policy Armenia Program, AUA Acopian Center for the Environment aims to initiate several Reality Labs to address complex issues including but not limited to::

• Handling of biodegradable waste, such as food, manure, crop residues, among others
• Handling of hazardous waste, such as batteries, packaging from agro and household chemicals, paints, and other hazardous items
• Handling of wastes that have potential for value recovery, including reuse, recycling or upcycling
• Planning and design of systems for source separation of municipal solid waste, including locations for sorting bins, collection schemes, among others
• Impacts of waste management on biodiversity, such as management of landfills, agricultural activities, and similar.

Scope of work of Reality Lab Research Coordinator

The Program is seeking a Reality Lab Research Coordinator to design and carry out activities to address the complex problems identified locally. Under guidance of the Program Manager and Coordinator, the Reality Lab Research Coordinator will support the Reality Lab supervisors and junior staff to perform the following activities:

• Formulate the complex issue, including:
  • Identify and engage relevant collaborators/stakeholders to discuss the proposed complex issue
  • Design or revise the Reality Lab Concepts and Action Plans
  • Identify the research needs for each Reality Lab
• Design and oversee the research activities within all Reality Labs, including:
  • Develop a detailed research plan with milestones and timelines, including ethical guidelines
  • Oversee and monitor data collection processes to ensure the quality of data collected (accuracy and consistency)
  • Analyze the findings and prepare reports summarizing the research
• Work with Program Communication Expert on dissemination of results, including:
  • Share research results through presentations, publications, or other appropriate channels
  • Engage with relevant stakeholders to communicate findings and collect feedback
• Prepare quarterly reports (or more frequently when needed) on the Reality Labs’ research activities, progress, and challenges.

Deliverables

• Quarterly reports (or more frequently when needed) reports on the Reality Lab research activities
• Short (max 2 page) Informational articles on progress with Reality Labs once every 6 months.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in environmental science, engineering, sustainability, social sciences, or related field
• Strong understanding of research design, implementation, and communication
• Project management skills, including the ability to lead research teams, develop research plans,
• Excellent knowledge of Armenian and English languages.

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 “Reality Lab Research Coordinator/ 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.