Expert on Waste Management

1. Objective(s) and Linkages to Reforms

The Recovery and Reform Support Team (RST) at the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine (MDCT or Ministry) is a group of Ukrainian professionals (non-civil servants) funded on a temporary basis through the Ukraine Recovery and Reform Architecture (URA)[1] programme that provides targeted technical support and assists the Ministry in the design and implementation of priority reforms. The RST will assist in filling capacity gaps in the design and implementation of priority reform strategies and programmes, while strengthening links and partnerships between the Ministry`s priorities and relevant donor support.

Priority areas for the RST at the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine are: 

• Transport Infrastructure;
• Municipal Infrastructure;
• Regional Development and Decentralisation;
• Digitalisation;
• Public Administration Reform and Capacity Building.

Waste Management Reform is among the essential priorities for the Ministry, which aims to enhance substantial changes to the waste management system. It focuses on establishing a more transparent, accountable, and sustainable system aligned with EU standards and laying the foundations for a new economic, social, and ecological waste management policy and its implementation. The implementation of Waste Management Reform requires close coordination between the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine and the Ministry for Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine according to the functions and tasks foreseen by the legislation of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine “On Waste Management”. 

The framework of Waste Management Law, effective from 9 July 2023, sets the foundation for modernising Ukraine’s waste management practices marking a crucial step towards a comprehensive regulatory framework for sustainable waste management. More legislation is expected to be developed for separate waste streams such as packaging and packaging waste, waste electrical and electronic equipment, waste batteries and accumulators etc. Such legislative developments require special attention from the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine in their further implementation.

The Expert on Waste Management will support the implementation of Waste Management Reform falling under the remit of the Ministry, focusing on the development of regulation under reform priority area, including but not limited to the laws, concepts, programs and secondary legislation, intergovernmental coordination, coordinating the work of international technical support and the EU financed projects in the waste management sphere, develop mechanisms to raise financing to the sector, and to enhance digitalisation and anti-corruption measures, provision of analytical and information support of Waste Management Reform. In his/her work the Expert on Waste Management shall build on and complement the assistance provided in the framework of on-going EU or other donor funded projects as well as shall facilitate coordination of this assistance within the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine. In particular, the Expert shall closely coordinate with the following programmes and projects: EU4Environment Water and Data Programme, EU4GreenRecovery Programme, Strengthening of Municipal Waste Management in Ukraine and Institutional cooperation on EU-accession in the environment and waste sector projects financed by SIDA. 

The Expert will be responsible for supporting the implementation of regulation in waste management within the scope falling under the remit of the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, facilitate coordination with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, prepare information and analytical materials, draft presentations, organise events and meetings, etc.

2. Position and Reporting Line

The Expert on Waste Management will be a full-time consultant at the RST and primarily cooperate with the relevant departments of the Ministry.

A highly qualified professional will be providing support in the process of coordination and implementation of Waste Management Reform.

The Expert will be subordinated to the RST Director and the RST Deputy Director on Municipal Infrastructure.

3. Duration of the Assignment

The consultancy appointment is expected to start in April 2025. Duration of the assignment is subject to the availability of project funding, the consultant's performance, and the specific requirements of the RST.

4. Main Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will be expected to:

• Collect, analyse, develop and submit all relevant documents and materials (e.g. work plans, reports, analyses and proposals) needed for the activities of all relevant technical aid projects and expert missions;
• support the identification, collection, and analysis of relevant data and information;
• contribute to drafting and developing policies, legislation, financial, digital and anti-corruption measures in waste management, as well as concepts, programs and secondary legislation;
• provide all necessary support required to ensure implementation of the new regulation;
• prepare timely and quality reports and status updates on implementation progress;
• prepare slides for presentations and/or information for infographics;
• draft reports and analytical materials for the donors/stakeholders on waste management initiatives, status of their implementation, etc.;
• assist with consultations with other Ministries, agencies and relevant stakeholders on draft legal acts and strategic policy documents;
• regularly liaise with EU experts and international financial institutions on the issues related to waste management in Ukraine;
• complete other relevant tasks as assigned by the RST Director and RST Deputy Director on Municipal Infrastructure.

The specified lists of the scope of work, services and expected deliverables can be modified and supplemented on request from the Ministry and in agreement with the EBRD and the EU Delegation to Ukraine. 

5. Qualifications, Skills and Experience

5.1. Qualifications and Skills: 

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Waste Management, Public Housing, Ecology, Law, Public Administration, Economics, or other relevant field;
• good understanding of Waste Management Reform progress in Ukraine and relevant regulations/legislation;
• good understanding of best waste management practices and relevant legislation in EU countries;
• strong analytical, communication and presentation skills;
• impeccable ethical standards, and outstanding leadership skills;
• PC literacy in Microsoft software (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Project), Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Docs);
• fluent Ukrainian and English.

5.2. Professional Experience: 

• Minimum 5 years of general professional experience;
• Minimum 3 years of experience in the waste management sector, consulting or related areas. 

5.3. Other Competencies: 

• Proven knowledge and professional experience in housing policy;
• proven knowledge of Ukrainian and EU legislation on waste management;
• familiarity with current Ukraine’s reform agenda, good understanding of policy formulation processes and policy dialogues;
• experience with government entities and their mandate and processes is an asset.

6. Funding Source

URA is implemented with the financial assistance of the EBRD-Ukraine Stabilisation and Sustainable Growth Multi-Donor Account (MDA), contributors to which are Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.

Please note, selection and contracting will be subject to the availability of funding.

7. Submissions

Submissions must be prepared in English only and be delivered electronically by March 16, 2025, 23:59 (Kyiv time) to the email address specified in this section of the Terms of Reference, accessible via the Apply button in this announcement.

All submissions must include:

• a completed Application Form;
• the candidate’s Curriculum Vitae;
• NDA form;
• contact details of three referees who, if contacted, can attest to the professional and/or educational background of the candidate.

Important notice: only Ukrainian nationals are eligible to apply; civil servants are not eligible to apply unless 6 months have elapsed since they left such employment.

Only applications, which have been submitted using the correct template and are fully completed, will be considered.

8. Selection Procedure

Following the evaluation of all applications received, selected candidates may be invited to the written tests. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to the interview.

[1] Ukraine Recovery and Reform Architecture (URA) is a comprehensive technical assistance programme deployed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the European Union, to support critical recovery and reform processes in Ukraine. URA is financed from the Ukraine Stabilisation and Sustainable Growth Multi-Donor Account (MDA) managed by the EBRD.