Job Openings at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Policy and Regulation Advisory

• Analyze the current e-waste policy and any supporting legal instruments to identify existing gaps, inconsistencies, or lack of enforceability.
• Contribute to quality assurance processes by flagging strategic, operational, or regulatory risks that may affect the feasibility or sustainability of proposed technical solutions.
• Contribute to the development of policy implementation roadmaps, operational procedures, compliance mechanisms, and institutional responsibilities  and provide ongoing advisory support to national regulatory bodies.
• Support the project’s communications and reporting on legal and policy progress.
• Review reports, legal drafts, and recommendations submitted by the engaged consulting firm contracted under the project.
• Support the review process of technical deliverables submitted by the engaged consulting firm by identifying areas where alignment with the National E-Waste Strategy and broader environmental policy objectives can be strengthened.
• Provide technical guidance to ensure that policy and regulatory recommendations provided by the engaged consulting firm aligns with national priorities, international best practices, and project objectives.

Reporting

• Advisory work plan with key milestones;
• Gap analysis report on current e-waste policy and legal framework which will be used as baseline for the implementation of the project;
• Regular  technical review notes on legal firm deliverables such as ;
• Legal, Institutional and Policy Assessment Report
• Stakeholder Coordination Framework Design
• Policy Implementation roadmap
• Framework and Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for Legalization, Permitting, and Inspection of E-waste Recyclers
• Private Sector Engagement Framework
• Technical and Financial Instrument Report 
• Develop regulatory roadmap and implementation support plan to ensure the proper coordination is made with the relevant stakeholders;
• Technical notes on implementation options proposed by the engaged consulting firm and the relevant stakeholders ;

Communication

• Contributing to project updates, donor reports, and presentations by providing verified environmental data and key messages.
• Ad hoc calls may be scheduled as needed to review specific deliverables, reports, or indicators.
• Preparing concise, accessible briefs or environmental summaries for both technical and non-technical audiences, including community stakeholders where appropriate.

Impact of Results

• The effective delivery of high-quality legal and policy advisory services by the E-waste Management Policy Specialist will directly contribute to strengthening Papua New Guinea’s regulatory framework for electronic waste management. By ensuring alignment with national legislation and international best practices, the E-waste Management Policy Specialist’s work will help build a sustainable and enforceable system to address the country’s growing e-waste challenge.

Education:

• Minimum advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) or higher degree in Law, public policy or a related field.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant professional experience, with at least 3 in policy/legal advisory for environmental or waste management sectors
• Experience working in the Pacific Region is an advantage.
• Proven experience with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, preferably in developing countries
• Familiarity with the PNG policy environment and legal system is highly desirable
• Strong communication, facilitation, and drafting skills
• Experience working with multi-stakeholder advisory groups or donor-funded projects is an advantage

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Programmatic responsibilities 

• Review and provide input to the updated feasibility study, focusing on environmental risks, regulatory gaps, and site suitability.
• Advise on the environmental implications of the proposed concept design for the e-waste facility.
• Support the Project Manager  in integrating environmental safeguards into implementation of e-waste policy and regulation, including EPR mechanisms.
• Identify environmental permitting requirements and provide guidance on necessary documentation and timelines.
• Review environmental aspects of the financial and economic modality (when conducted) to assess sustainability.
• Provide technical input during detailed engineering design to ensure environmental considerations are incorporated, including climate resilience, waste minimization, and pollution control measures.
• Participate in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes if required by PNG regulations and international standards.
• Support training and awareness sessions for stakeholders on environmental risks related to e-waste.
• Support monitoring of compliance with environmental standards and reporting requirements.
• Advise on mitigation of any environmental issues during civil works and facility commissioning.
• Lead the design and development of an environmental monitoring platform to track and report on environmental compliance across project activities.
• Define environmental indicators, data collection methodology, and reporting frequency.
• Work with UNOPS Project Manager and M&E  to ensure the platform integrates with the broader project monitoring framework.
• Provide training and tools to capacity building of stakeholders.

Reporting

• Provide technical reports and written inputs on environmental aspects of all deliverables across the project.
• Develop and maintain a set of environmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each project phase, aligned with national regulations and UNOPS standards.
• Prepare the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the project, including updates based on project progress and feedback from regulatory bodies.
• Ensure documentation of permit requirements, approvals, and compliance tracking mechanisms.
• Support the integration of environmental indicators and safeguards into the project’s overall Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework and monitoring platform.
• Deliver periodic progress reports on environmental compliance and risk mitigation.
• Document lessons learned and recommendations for continuous improvement of environmental safeguards throughout the lifecycle of the project.

Communication

• Draft deliverables will be submitted for UNOPS Project Manager review and feedback within agreed timelines. Feedback will be consolidated by the Project Manager, and the Environmental Specialist  will revise and resubmit as required.
• Supporting the Project Manager on the design and implementation of targeted environmental awareness materials or sessions  to raise understanding of e-waste risks, mitigation strategies, and safeguards.
• Contributing to project updates, donor reports, and presentations by providing verified environmental data and key messages.
• Ensuring that all communications and public materials involving environmental content align with national regulations and UNOPS and DFAT branding and disclosure guidelines.
• Documenting and addressing environmental-related grievances or concerns raised through the project’s feedback and grievance mechanism, in coordination with the M&E team.
• Ad hoc calls may be scheduled as needed to review specific deliverables, reports, or indicators.
• All deliverables, data requests, and updates will be shared via email, MS Teams, or the designated project file-sharing platform
• Preparing concise, accessible briefs or environmental summaries for both technical and non-technical audiences, including community stakeholders where appropriate.

Impact of Results

• The effective and successful achievement of results by the Environmental Specialist directly impacts the environmental integrity, regulatory compliance, and overall sustainability of the e-waste management project in Papua New Guinea. By ensuring that all project activities meet national environmental laws, UNOPS standards, and donor safeguards, the Specialist contributes to reducing environmental and health risks associated with e-waste while enhancing the resilience and long-term viability of project outcomes. The quality and timeliness of technical guidance, monitoring frameworks, and environmental safeguards provided by the Specialist directly influence the credibility and effectiveness of UNOPS as a trusted partner in sustainable infrastructure and waste management solutions. Successful performance strengthens the organization’s reputation for delivering environmentally responsible projects, increases the visibility of UNOPS in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region, and consolidates its competitive position as a partner of choice for governments and donors in advancing sustainable development initiatives.

Education:

• Minimum advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) or higher degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of relevant experience with a Master’s degree (or 7 years’ of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree) in the environmental impact assessment, environmental management, or regulatory advisory in e-waste management.
• Experience working in the Pacific Region is an advantage.