UNDP Jobs - 42383- Waste Management Expert

Waste Management Expert

Location :

Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Feb-2014

Application Deadline :

26-Dec-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The city of Riyadh is experiencing continuous urban development and a population growth nearing 5 million, Thus, The Municipality of Riyadh ( AMANA) is facing challenges in delivering public service to the citizen. Saudi Arabia has one of the world’s highest per capita levels of waste generation, meanwhile only humble capacities exist for effective management through Sustainable Materials Management. The Ninth development plan noted that as a result of expansion of the commercial and industrial activities, the solid waste has increased, while recycled waste is still below 35%. Moreover, due to the growing quantities of waste and encirclement by residential land subdivisions there’s been a decrease in the assumed lifespan. A scope exists specifically for improving rates of reduction, reuse and recycling systems for Riyadh while addressing health and environmental concerns. The objective is to review the Waste Management Strategy of AMANA and provide direction for improving efficiency, while addressing issues of sustainable waste collection, disposal, resource management and other related special features including waste avoidance strategies.

Saudi Arabia is a high-income country with very high average human development indicators. Although, it has made good progress in the past decades towards various socio-economic measures; the environmental issues continue to be a major risk for sustainability. The Ninth Development Plan (NDP; 2010-14) has the overall theme of sustaining development targeting enhancing the kingdom as “a developed, thriving and prosperous economy, built on sustainable foundations.”

Duties and Responsibilities

The Waste Management Expert is expected to review analytically the present waste management system and evaluate the lacking sustainable elements;
To review waste management practices and consider issues for improving Riyadh’s Waste Management System;
To identify the problems relating to the currents system, and formulate possible treatment plan and solutions complying with the objectives that is set by AMANA and the Ninth Development Plan;
To research and draft a new updated waste management strategy, considering, a strategic long term approach enhancing sustainability based on the wide array of knowledge skills mentioned above;
To formulate a treatment plan on the analysis of waste minimization, collection, treatment, and waste disposal solutions based on knowledge and skills mentioned above;
To create a list of all waste removal sites and waste transfer stations and allocate them as appropriate regionally;
To list and add all information and costs including details about how the newly drafted system will comply with all laws governing the management and removal of waste;
To ensure compliance with the current legislation in the transportation, handling and disposal of waste;
To promote schemes for reuse and recycling, sue of clean technologies, recovering and reducing the hazardousness of waste, and sending less waste to landfill;
To supervise the transportation of waste so to ensure that it takes place efficiently without contaminating air, land or water sources;
To assist in developing, promoting and implementing the new waste management system;
To outline waste characteristic and sufficient capacity for managing waste ensuring that the capacity and the nature of collection and treatment systems are in line with the waste to be managed;
To assist in the development of information and promotional materials;
To provide advice and consultancy on the research, implementation and the process of a new waste management strategy;
To provide instructions for the handling of all types of waste including detailed instructions for the equipment needed when managing waste, as well as any safety procedures for waste crews;
To manage a staff and provide guidance appropriately, also train staff on the implementation of the new system and the improved waste management practices;
To evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and learning outcomes;
To provide suitable workshops and seminars involving as many governmental agencies and NGO’s as possible and to disseminate results.

In addition to the above, the consultant is expected to demonstrate strong knowledge in the following:

Onsite handling, storage, and processing, collection of solid wastes (routes, services, techniques and services), transfer and transport, processing techniques and equipment’s (Purposes of processing, Mechanical volume reduction, Chemical volume reduction, Mechanical size reduction, Component separation, Drying and dewatering), Disposal of Solid Waste and residential matter).

Solid waste and residential matter in terms of:

Site selection and layout;
Types of waste that must be handled;
Land filling methods and operations;
Estimation of landfill capacity;
Reactions occurring in completed landfills;
Gas and leachate movement and control;
Evaluation of the geology and hydrogeology of the site;
Selection of lining systems;
Selection of leachate control facilities;
Selection of landfill gas control facilities;
Layout of surface drainage facilities;
Aesthetic design considerations;
Monitoring facilities;
Determination of equipment requirement;
Development of the landfill operation plans.

Hazardous waste in terms of:

Identification of hazardous wastes;
Classification of hazardous wastes;
Regulations;
Generation;
Onsite storage;
Collection;
Transfer and transport;
Processing and disposal;
Future planning.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge of learning methodology and environmental engineering experience within the development sector, including experience in areas such as waste analysis, ecological development, training and training impact evaluations;
Proven ability to develop manuals and guidelines to institutionalize best practices in Waste Management;
Understanding of the principles underpinning Waste Management. In terms of the impact of solid waste generation including the construction and demolition waste (C & D waste), Quantities of waste and Projections for the future (challenges and opportunities);
A Historical perspective understanding in terms of solid waste management systems and solid waste management planning;
Demonstrates strong quantitative skills and the ability to carry out high quality research, including statistical analysis;
Applies the required depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise in drafting a strategic approach as a treatment plan;
Possesses ability to think strategically and formulate a long term program addressing Waste Management based on sources and types solid waste (Composition of Municipal solid wastes and Generation rates);
Ability to review and evaluate and provide suitable and strongly analytical feedback;
Possesses proven ability to analyze from a global perspective, with the ability to offer practical policy advice on Waste Management issues based on local realties with an understanding of Legislation and Government agencies on the ground;
Possesses ability to recognize and identify related issues, and provide suitable solutions;
Promotes a learning and knowledge shared environment;
Excellent mentoring and training skills;
Ability to convey results of project/research to team, and providing accurate guidance in its implementation;
Ability to provide substantive training and mentoring, and manage teams;
Facilitates the development of individual and multi-cultural/team competencies.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced degree in environmental engineering, ecological engineering or related fields;
Experienced in environmental safety, construction and infrastructure, biological waste analysis and treatment plans, also design and operation;
Specialized training in the area of waste management and strategic treatment plans;
Previous projects or researches related to the field of environmental safety;
Experience managing a staff.

Experience:

At least 8-10 years of working experience, and considerable knowledge of material analyses and the ability to communicate results of research findings and undertake on the job training and seminars.

Language:

Fluency in speaking and writing in English. Arabic is an asset.