Chief Technical Specialist (Open to Internal and External Applicants)
Organizational Context
UNDP Iraq is implementing an Integrated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Chemical Hotspots Management Project to address significant environmental and public health risks. The project aims to strengthen national frameworks for managing POPs and hazardous chemicals, update inventories, enhance laboratory and institutional capacities, and manage obsolete pesticides and PCB-contaminated equipment. This role supports the Government of Iraq in meeting its international environmental obligations and mitigating climate change impacts.
Job Purpose
The Chief Technical Specialist will lead and coordinate the implementation of environmental and social safeguards and establish a robust technical quality assurance system for the Integrated POPs and Chemical Hotspots Management Project in Iraq. This role is crucial for ensuring compliance with international standards, including the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and UNDP's Social and Environmental Standards. The specialist will provide expert technical review and guidance on all project components, from initial assessments and inventory development to the management and disposal of hazardous materials and remediation of contaminated sites. The purpose is to ensure the project's technical integrity, environmental soundness, and effective risk management, thereby contributing to Iraq's sustainable development goals and its commitments under international environmental conventions.
Responsibilities
Lead and coordinate the implementation of environmental and social safeguards, including the ESF and ESCP, ensuring compliance with national and international standards. Establish and maintain a project-level safeguards compliance and assurance system covering all project activities, from studies to disposal. Review project activities and procurement for environmental and social risks, advising on mitigation measures and contractual provisions. Provide technical clearance and advice on various management plans, including those for waste, occupational health and safety, and stakeholder engagement. Ensure safeguards requirements are integrated into all project documentation and contracts. Monitor consultant and contractor performance regarding safeguards, identifying and escalating non-compliance. Oversee the safe handling, storage, transport, treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes, including obsolete pesticides and PCBs. Conduct environmental and social due diligence for chemical hotspot investigations and remediation planning. Support incident reporting and root-cause analysis, maintaining safeguards records and preparing compliance reports. Provide technical guidance and capacity development to project staff and government counterparts on safeguards and hazardous chemicals management. Establish and lead a systematic, risk-based technical quality assurance framework for all project components, defining review gates and acceptance criteria. Review and advise on the technical adequacy of project documents, methodologies, and deliverables, validating their scientific soundness and fitness-for-purpose. Support technical evaluations of specialized environmental procurements and promote harmonized technical approaches across project components. Provide senior technical review and quality assurance for national inventories, assessments, and the updated National Implementation Plan (NIP) related to POPs, hazardous chemicals, PCBs, and obsolete pesticides, ensuring consistency with the Stockholm Convention and international best practices.
Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years (with Master's) or 9 years (with Bachelor's) of progressive experience at the national or international level in technical advisory, research, policy development, or project management related to environmental issues. Demonstrated experience with POPs inventories, Stockholm Convention NIPs, PCB management, obsolete pesticide management, hazardous waste treatment/disposal, contaminated-site assessment/remediation, or chemicals policy is required.
Skills
System Thinking, Effective Decision Making, Negotiation and Influence, Environmental Governance, Project Management, Risk Management, Strategic Engagement, Achieving Results, Innovative Thinking, Continuous Learning, Adaptability, Determination, Engagement and Partnership, Diversity and Inclusion.