THE RECRUITMENT OF PLASTICS TECHNICAL SPECIALIST
PROJECT BACKGROUND
WACA ResIP 2 Ghana is designed to address the three key challenges to unlocking the potential of its blue economy: coastal erosion, flooding, and pollution; ecosystem degradation; and institutional fragmentation. While the ultimate objective of the project as stipulated in the Project Appraisal Document (PAD) is to strengthen the resilience of coastal communities, the project’s overarching strategy to achieve this outcome is to focus on strengthening Ghana's blue economy and to restore and protect critical coastal ecosystems which provide essential services to nearby communities, including income generation and protection against natural disasters.
As part of WACA ResIP 2, Ghana is benefiting from an IDA Credit of US$ 150 million and a $5 million Grant from PROBLUE – total of $150 million.
The project comprises four components as with all other countries with WACA investments.
Component 1: Strengthening Regional Integration. The regional integration component is to strengthen the effective coordination of interventions for coastal resilience in West Africa at the regional and national levels spearheaded by WAEMU. This is achieved through the consolidation of the regional institutional set-up and harmonization of policy to seek economies of scale and the development of new strategic partnerships needed for the scale-up of response to the coastal resilience development challenge.
Component 2: Strengthening the Policy or Institutional Frameworks. The project will support the strengthening of institutional and policy frameworks around coastal development, protection, and natural resource management (exclusive of fisheries). Focus areas will include strengthening existing national coordination mechanisms and development of mechanisms for sub-national coordination, including civil society coordination.
Policy actions under this component will support improved land use and marine spatial planning for resilient coastal development. This includes measures for institutional support that will improve collection and analysis of data critical for risk-informed decision-making. This includes, but is not limited to, data related to beach profile and crest elevation, spatial data, and improved local demographic and economic data, especially as related to sources of livelihood and gender disaggregation.
Component 3: Strengthening National Physical and Social Investments. The project will support a wide typology of site-specific grey, green, and hybrid physical investments, and social sub-projects at the community level to achieve measurable increases in protection from coastal erosion and flooding, pollution control, and promote climate-resilient coastal development. Physical investments supported by the project are based on coastal management strategies and climate-resilient development plans, including Multi-Sector Investment Plans (MSIPs), undertaken and ongoing in each country that identifies priority investments and actions for strengthening coastal resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change through sustainable, integrated coastal zone management.
The project will be financing (a) green infrastructure such as dune fixation to protect beaches from erosion using vegetation and shrubs to trap sand, wetland and mangrove restoration and beach replenishment; (b) grey infrastructure such as the construction of breakwaters, seawalls, revetments, groynes, and dikes; (c) land claim and reclamation; (d) rehabilitation of flood banks; (e) rehabilitation and management of natural flood areas, including dredging to maintain natural flow in lagoons; (f) infrastructure, e.g. culverts, for improved drainage; and (g) sustainable land management practices in transboundary sub-watersheds and areas of high ecosystem value that drain into the coastal areas, and (h) measures to improve the management of natural habitats, including reduction of invasive species encroachment.
Specifically, physical interventions under this component 3 will support adaptation measures for protection, retreat, accommodation, or a combination thereof at three locations: Korle Lagoon, Densu Delta, and Keta Lagoon Complex. Nature-based physical protection measures will include protection and restoration of mangroves and other submerged native aquatic vegetation to reduce flooding hazards, and beach nourishment and dune rehabilitation to address coastal erosion. Grey solutions may include the construction of groins, dykes, seawalls, revetments, or other infrastructure as well as implementation of plastics related interventions. This site-specific grey, green, and/or hybrid physical rehabilitation and infrastructure investments may include:
Component 4: Project Management. A Project Implementation Unit (PIU) has been established with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) and will be guided by a multi-stakeholder project steering committee.
PURPOSE & OBJECTIVE
The PLASTICS TECHNICAL SPECIALIST will be responsible for the day to day implementation activities relating to the ProBlue Grant and other donor related components of the WACA ResIP 2 Ghana activities relating to plastics while maintaining strong collaboration between all project implementing partners including actors in government, industry, business and civil society.
This position reports directly to and is responsible to the Project Coordinator, WACA ResIP 2 Ghana. He/she will serve as a member of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), helping to set strategic directions and define priorities for the WACA ResIP 2 while working with other team members in strategic planning; monitoring and evaluation; and learning, innovation, and knowledge generation at the overall Project level.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Implementation & Portfolio Management
- Implementation of all plastic related activities under the WACA ResIP 2, in close collaboration with all project implementing partners and relevant stakeholders to ensure the highest quality of outputs and outcomes in line with project objectives as well as workplans and budgets;
- Shall in close collaboration with the PIU support the coordination with GARID PIU and the Ministry of Local Government, particularly regarding project interventions around Korle Lagoon area;
- Support the PIU to coordinate alignment of the Ghana WACA ResIP 2 plastics work with other global and regional initiatives such as PROBLUE, Abidjan Convention, EPRs, and with relevant intergovernmental, private sector and civil society mechanisms and processes;
- Participate in the development of relevant programme KPIs and ensure that adequate measures are in place for their monitoring and reporting;
- Support the PIU on drafting and technical reporting towards the development of PROBLUE and other donor related project reports.
Strategic & Technical Leadership
- Provide strategic guidance and direction in strengthening the plastics sector within Ghana’s national and international target scope to support a resilient and sustainable Blue Economy – including liaising with external partners and organizations in the plastics and interconnected space;
- Ensure donor and partner coordination focused on plastics/circular economy activities to identify opportunities for collaboration and avoid duplication of efforts. These coordination efforts should engage national and sub-national government entities engaged on plastic in addition to donors and other partners. Requires close collaboration with CSO focal points to engage civil society partners on these topics;
- Advise on emerging opportunities in the plastics sector that demonstrate potential at national and international levels including the GPPF, to guide investment and action decision-making regarding efforts to address plastic pollution;
- In collaboration with all relevant project implementation partners, identify and implement strategic initiatives to support the integration of best practices and learnings to national, regional and global platforms in support of agenda-setting and action to empower country-readiness to implement the Global Plastics Treaty;
- Ensure close collaboration with the EPA throughout project implementation in line with focusing on addressing existing national mechanisms as required under Component 2 of the project;
- Strengthen the liaison role with World Bank, especially for ToRs and seeking No Objection;
- Act as a driving force for innovation to position Ghana via the MESTI, as a leader in addressing plastics pollution through a holistic, lifecycle approach in alignment with global goals and targets such as SDG 14, 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, and the Global Biodiversity Framework;
- Provide trainings and share practical knowledge with MESTI, EPA and other institutions to build capacity and create teams to institutionalize outcomes of WACA activities;
- Ensure that all WACA ResIP 2 plastic related work is of high technical quality, based on good science and drawing upon state-of-the-art thinking and knowledge;
- Assist the PIU on the exploration of synergies and collaboration with other national and international ocean and terrestrial areas of work to support the innovative implementation of source-to-sea approaches in addressing plastics pollution.
External Engagement & Communication
- In consultation with the Project Coordinator ensure that the WACA ResIP 2 Ghana is adequately represented in relevant international, regional and country fora and facilitate discussions in plastics to position the position as a reference in the Africa region and beyond;
- Provide evidence-based support and facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues on emerging issues and policy debates to address plastic pollution in the African continent, including through participation in regional fora and processes such as the INC process towards a Global Plastics Treaty, AMCEN, regional working groups on marine plastics, Nairobi and Abidjan Conventions, among others;
- Lead coherent and consistent communication of lessons learnt to key decision-makers and other stakeholders including via the web, print and media;
- Act as a focal point for facilitating and supporting the involvement of the WACA ResIP 2 Ghana in the development and implementation of integrated programmatic activities to address plastic pollution.
Programme Development & Resource Mobilization
- As appropriate, contribute to processes geared towards securing additional project funding, including through development of concepts and projects documents;
- Contribute to establishing, maintaining and nurturing good relationships with donors, funding agencies and other technical partners so as to ensure the financial viability of the plastics area of work within the WACA ResIP 2;
- Spearhead the development of a pipeline of bankable initiatives addressing plastic pollution in the coastal areas of Ghana, including on actions across the plastics value chain that contribute towards a regenerative blue economy for coastal communities;
- Undertake research and synthesize briefs on the growing body of work in plastic pollution.
- Help in the design of the activities, participate in the review/selection of firms and supervise their work, as necessary.
Other Responsibilities:
- Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Education
- An advanced university degree preferably in relevant disciplines, such as, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Sustainability Studies, Policy and Environmental law, or related fields;
- Professional certification in circular economy, waste management, environmental design, sustainable material management or in other relevant areas will be an added advantage.
- Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint) use of internet and online communication tools;
Work Experience
- We are looking for an outstanding, hands-on, highly motivated, autonomous, innovative, solution oriented, results driven and resourceful individual with at least 6 years of proven experience;
- Sound expertise in programme/project development, research, implementation, and/or management of environmental projects or related fields;
- Strong expertise and experience in coastal plastics-related projects/programs, which include recycling, and plastic pollution prevention; working on relevant regulations and policies related to waste management; Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks for reducing plastic pollution; implementation of solutions to address single-use, unnecessary and other plastics of concern.
- Good understanding of plastic life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies; waste characterization techniques; and waste management infrastructure;
- Experience in producing high-quality documents (technical task-based Terms of References, guidance notes, editing technical documents, manuals, etc.);
- Experience in working with normative bodies, government, non-government actors, private sector, municipalities, academia, and local communities and community-led initiatives;
- Experience in managing stakeholder relations, ideally in an international organization or related setting;
- Ability to design and roll-out innovative solutions to address coastal plastic pollution at a city or local level.
- Prior experience developing, supporting, or managing multi-donor-supported projects.
- Network development and alliance building towards building strategic relationships, with demonstrated ability to build consensus in cross-cultural situations;
- Ability to interact effectively with and directly support or identify experts required to support diverse aspects in the plastics area of work;
- Experience with result-based portfolio and project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation methodologies and principles and facilitation skills;
- Strong interpersonal, management and supervisory skills and experience, with a minimum of 2 years in managing teams;
- Demonstrates strong leadership and people-management experience including supervision of staff, consultants and coordination and effective management of virtual team settings;
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure managing competing demands and complex situations and deliver satisfactory and timely results;
- Must be a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy skills and ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams displaying sensitivity and respect for diversity;
- Must be a proactive individual who is able to energize and motivate teams;
Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development;
Language requirement
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English is essential. Ability to communicate in Ga, Ewe, Twi, French and/or Portuguese is an added advantage.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested qualified and experienced applicants who meet the above criteria should send their application and detailed curriculum vitae to the email addresses or address below by 2nd August 2024:
Address:
The Project Coordinator,
West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project (WACA ResIP) 2,
Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI)
Box M32
Accra-Ghana
E-mail:
frank.lare@mesti.gov.gh
henry.bortey@mesti.gov.gh
For further clarification, kindly contact the following:
Procurement Specialist
Phone no.: 0302662626/0244-842128
E-mail: frank.lare@mesti.gov.gh