General
Description of assignment title
Programme Management Specialist – Environment and Climate Change
Assignment country
Papua New Guinea
Duty stations
Port Moresby
Work location
On UN premises
Expected start date
01/10/2026
Duration
18 monthsLong-term benefits and allowances
Sustainable Development Goal
13. Climate action
Host entity
UNDP
Modality
Onsite
Type
International
Volunteer category
Specialist UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule
Full-time
Number of Assignments
1
Details
Mission and objectives
UNDP is committed to advancing sustainable development across Papua New Guinea (PNG) with a focus on strengthening governance, environmental sustainability and inclusive growth. In partnership with the Government of PNG, UNDP works to reduce poverty, protect natural resources and build resilient communities. Within the Environment and Climate portfolio, UNDP PNG supports the Government of PNG to protect marine ecosystems by improving solid waste management systems, reducing marine plastic pollution, and strengthen policy and institutional frameworks in collaboration with the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) and local authorities
Context
Papua New Guinea faces increasing challenges in solid waste management due to rapid urbanization, infrastructure gaps, and limited institutional coordination. These challenges contribute to environmental degradation, including marine plastic pollution. JICA is supporting the Government through the Project for Improvement of Solid Waste Management Administration (J-PRISM Phase 3: 2023–2028), focusing on the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and Return approach and institutional strengthening in selected urban centers. UNDP complements these efforts through interventions Under the GEF 8 Blue Green Programme on marine plastic pollution, community-based waste management, and policy development. This assignment contributes to improved programme coherence and delivery by strengthening coordination between JICA-supported interventions and UNDP programming, while enhancing linkages between national and subnational stakeholders. The UN Volunteer will also support programme implementation, monitoring, and coordination within the Environment and Climate portfolio under the Assistant Resident Representative.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative – Environment & Climate Change, UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Implementation and coordination of J-PRISM Phase 3 Support implementation of J-PRISM Phase 3 activities in alignment with agreed workplans and outputs. Strengthen coordination between national stakeholders, local authorities, and participating cities (Lae, Goroka, Kokopo, and Alotau). Facilitate communication and knowledge exchange across participating cities to promote peer learning and replication of good practices. Documentation of lessons learned and good practices to inform programme scaling and policy development. Contribute to improved follow-up, tracking, and reporting of J-PRISM activities to enhance implementation effectiveness. Identify and promote synergies between J-PRISM interventions and UNDP-supported activities. 2. Implementation of UNDP waste management and marine plastic initiatives Support implementation of UNDP waste management interventions, including community-based waste management and marine plastic reduction activities. Strengthen coordination among national and subnational stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of project outputs. Tracking of implementation progress against workplans, outputs, and indicators. Contribute to preparation of technical reports, donor reports, and programme documentation in line with UNDP requirements. Support strengthening of monitoring and reporting systems, including data collection and results tracking. 3. Policy development and institutional strengthening with CEPA Support the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) in finalizing and operationalizing the national waste management policy. Facilitate stakeholder consultations and engagement processes at national and subnational levels. Contribute to development of policy implementation frameworks, including institutional roles, coordination mechanisms, and operational guidance. Promote alignment between national policy objectives and ongoing interventions under J-PRISM and UNDP programmes. Support dissemination and uptake of the policy among government agencies and local authorities to strengthen implementation. 4. Programme support to the Environment and Climate portfolio Provide programme and coordination support to the Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) to ensure effective delivery of the Environment and Climate portfolio. Planning and monitoring of portfolio implementation, including tracking of workplans, budgets, and delivery targets. Assist in identification of implementation bottlenecks and follow-up on corrective actions to improve delivery performance. Preparation of programme documents, progress reports, donor reports, briefing notes, and communication materials. Facilitate coordination with government counterparts, implementing partners, civil society, and development partners. Support organization of meetings, workshops, and consultations, including preparation of agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions. Provide research and analytical support on emerging environment and climate change priorities relevant to UNDP PNG. 5. Monitoring, reporting, and knowledge management Tracking of programme performance against planned outputs and indicators in line with results-based management principles. Preparation of periodic progress reports, analytical briefs, and donor updates. Document and systematize lessons learned and best practices to support replication and scaling. Contribute to communication and visibility of programme results. 7. Support resource mobilization and programme development Development of concept notes, project documents, and funding proposals. Identification of partnership opportunities with development partners, private sector, and civil society. Provide analytical inputs to support programme design and strategic positioning of the Environment and Climate portfolio. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Donor priorities
–
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Additional eligibility criteria
This assignment is funded by JICA, therefore only former Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JICA-JOCV) recommended by the JICA-JOCV Secretariat are eligible to apply. Please consult the JICA website (https://www.jica.go.jp/volunteer/obog/career_support/unv/index.html) for further information on the eligibility criteria. Deployment is scheduled between 1 October and 30 November (no later than 31 December 2026).
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, waste management, urban planning, or related field.
Competencies and values
☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Empowering Others ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☐ Judgement and Decision-making ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☐ Leadership ☐ Managing Performance ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☐ Vision ☒ Working in Teams
Skills and experience
Minimum experience: 3-5 years of relevant experience in environmental management, solid waste management, or related areas. Experience in implementation of environmental or waste management programmes. Experience in stakeholder coordination and government engagement. Knowledge of 3R approaches and integrated waste management systems. Strong analytical, reporting, and coordination skills. Experience in programme support, planning, or portfolio coordination is an asset. Familiarity with UNDP programme cycles and results-based management is desirable.
Area(s) of expertise
Development programmes, Community development, Administration
Driving license
–
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
Papua New Guinea presents a complex development context with diverse cultural settings and operational challenges. Port Moresby provides access to basic services and international facilities, though infrastructure constraints and security considerations require appropriate awareness. Travel to secondary cities may be required, where conditions may be more basic. The assignment offers a strong opportunity to contribute to environmental sustainability and institutional strengthening within a dynamic programme environment.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
Scam warning
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