Result of Service

The Senior Wastewater Surveillance Expert will provide expert knowledge, and senior technical advice and guidance, and contribute to the efficient and effective implementation of the initiative “Supporting strategies, capacity and data for global wastewater and environmental surveillance in Africa” (also referred to as the “Wastewater Surveillance for Africa – WWS for Africa”).

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

12 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for our global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP is also part of the Quadripartite Alliance, a collaboration between UNEP, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO) and World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) aiming to promote and coordinate a global One Health approach. Wastewater and surveillance activities are highlighted in the 2022 One Health Joint Plan of Action (see activity 2.1, 2.3, and 6.1.10) hence encouraging and guiding the work of the organizations in this domain. The overall objective of UNEP’s Ecosystems Division is to support countries in conserving, restoring and sustainably managing their terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, the biodiversity they contain and the products and services they provide for human well-being and prosperity. UNEP’s Marine and Freshwater Branch promotes the protection, conservation, restoration and sustainable management of the world’s marine and coastal areas. Under this Branch, the Source to Sea Pollution Unit (SSPU) works towards ecosystem resilience and a pollution-free planet by protecting freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems from pollution, notably from nutrients and wastewater, plastic pollution and other forms of marine litter and physical alteration and destruction of habitats (PADH). The Unit provides secretariat services for the Global Wastewater Initiative (GWWI), the Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM), and the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML). The work of the Source to Sea Pollution Unit at the Ecosystem Division is guided by its new project document “Preventing and addressing the degradation of freshwater and marine ecosystems from source to sea”, which includes these key areas of work: 1) Enhancing Wastewater, Nutrient Management and Sanitation Provision for Marginalized Coastal Communities in Sabah, Malaysia; 2) Supporting strategies, capacity and data for global wastewater and environmental surveillance in Africa. The initiative “Supporting strategies, capacity and data for global wastewater and environmental surveillance in Africa” (also referred to as the “Wastewater Surveillance for Africa – WWS for Africa”), implemented by the SSPU, aims to establish and scale up wastewater surveillance systems for environment and public health purposes across Africa. This initiative will build capacity, enable knowledge exchange, and raise awareness on wastewater surveillance systems for ecosystem and public health, involving all sub-regions of Africa. The Senior Wastewater Surveillance Expert will work under direct supervision and guidance of a Programme Management Officer responsible for wastewater at UNEP and the Project Management Officer responsible for the implementation of the wastewater surveillance in Africa project.

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s degree in public health, environmental health, wastewater, or another related field is required. PhD degree in public health, environmental health, wastewater, or another related field is highly desired. Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in wastewater-surveillance is required, within the 5 years of relevant experience in policymaking, assessments, designing and implementing roadmaps for wastewater surveillance is highly desirable Familiarity with the African context and experience working on wastewater and environmental surveillance projects in African countries is highly desirable. Experience in capacity building and knowledge sharing activities in the field of wastewater surveillance and environmental monitoring is desirable Proven record of at least 3 scientific publications or technical advice on wastewater surveillance Experience within the UN system or other international organizations in wastewater surveillance is highly desirable, along with strong strategic, communication, and interpersonal skills

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Working knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.