Program Associate

About UNEP

Since 1972, the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
has led global efforts to set the environmental agenda, promote sustainable development, and advocate for sound environmental governance. UNEP works through its global divisions and regional offices to help countries conserve ecosystems, manage natural resources, and reduce environmental risks that impact climate, health, and livelihoods.

Assignment Context

This position is jointly hosted by two UNEP divisions:

• The
  Ecosystems Division
  , through its
  Source to Sea Pollution Unit
  of the Marine and Freshwater Branch
• The
  Industry and Economy Division
  , through the
  Global Methane Pledge (GMP)
  of the
  Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)

The assignment focuses on developing, implementing, and scaling wastewater and nutrient pollution solutions that reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions, enhance environmental health, and promote sustainable development through climate-resilient wastewater management strategies.

Key Responsibilities

The UN Volunteer will support countries, stakeholders, and UNEP partners in the following areas:

Technical Support & Policy Guidance

1. Support development and replication of wastewater and nutrient pollution solutions that reduce methane/nitrous oxide emissions and support resource recovery.
2. Assist in UNEP's wastewater and climate initiatives, linking methane reduction to improved public and ecosystem health.
3. Support national stakeholders in developing data-informed, climate-focused wastewater policies and surveillance systems.
4. Promote regulatory strengthening on wastewater management in alignment with
   One Health
   approaches.

Capacity Building & Knowledge Sharing

1. Develop and implement awareness campaigns and training on:

2. Methane emissions from wastewater

3. Resource recovery technologies

4. Integration into
   NDCs 3.0

5. Raise awareness of wastewater surveillance as a tool for
   pandemic prevention and response
   , particularly in Africa.

6. Disseminate environmental-economic tools to assess methane recovery's impact on climate and public health.

Advisory, Outreach & Coordination

1. Provide technical guidance on cost-effective, climate-smart wastewater treatment and reuse systems.
2. Contribute to the
   CCAC–TEAP
   report on innovative technologies for methane mitigation in the wastewater sector.
3. Maintain collaboration with the
   Global Methane Initiative (GMI)
   Wastewater Working Group and contribute to website updates.
4. Offer advisory services to the
   Global Wastewater Initiative (GWWI)
   and
   Source to Sea Pollution Unit
   on wastewater-methane linkages.

Project Support & Resource Mobilization

1. Assist in developing project proposals, concept notes, and donor mapping to support UNEP's wastewater and climate agenda.
2. Ensure gender inclusion, equity, and just transition considerations are mainstreamed into all workstreams.
3. Support related duties as assigned by supervisors.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, wastewater management, or closely related fields. Master's degree in related field is desirable.
• 3+ years of relevant professional experience in environmental science, wastewater management, GHG mitigation, or related field
• Strong policy, technical, and field-level knowledge of wastewater systems and their climate impacts
• Familiarity with methane/nitrous oxide emissions reduction strategies

Volunteer Living Allowance: currently US$ 2,750 to 3,200

UN Volunteers serve full-time in their professional expertise, supported by a benefits package, including a monthly living allowance to ensure a secure standard of living at their duty stations. These allowances are not intended as compensation, reward, or salary for the volunteer's service. Check our entitlement
calculator on UVP (Unified Volunteer Platform
.