Project Associate, Circular Economy and Chemicals Waste Management
** Deadline to apply is 13 May 2026 **
Description of assignment title
Project Associate, Circular Economy and Chemicals Waste Management
Assignment country
India
Duty stations
New Delhi
Work location
On UN premises
Host entity
UNDP
Modality
Onsite
Type
National
Volunteer category
Specialist
Work schedule
Full-time
Number of Assignments
1
Expected start date
25/05/2026
Duration
12 months (with possibility of extension)
Context
The Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP India works to support India's transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient & environmentally sustainable development pathway, in alignment with the Country Programme Document (2023–27) & the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. Within the ACE Unit, the Circular Economy & Chemicals Waste Management (CE & CWM) pillar supports the Government of India in addressing the growing environmental & public health challenges posed by unsustainable material flows, hazardous waste streams, & ozone-depleting & toxic chemical substances. The pillar operates through a multi-project portfolio that spans plastic waste management, e-waste & chemicals management, & is implemented in close partnership with central and state government ministries, urban local bodies, private sector, civil society organisations, & international financial mechanisms including the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Multilateral Fund (MLF) for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
Under the Circular Economy sub-pillar, UNDP India supports the development and scaling of inclusive, systems-based approaches to plastic and electronic waste management. The Plastic Waste Management (PWM) project and The Coca-Cola Foundation Plastics Circularity Project work to strengthen decentralised waste management infrastructure, advance regulatory frameworks, promote responsible sourcing across plastic value chains, and integrate informal waste workers, Safai Mitras, into formal systems through linkages to social protection schemes under the Government of India's NAMASTE initiative. The GEF-funded E-Waste Project supports India's transition to a circular economy in the electrical and electronic equipment sector by reducing releases of Persistent Organic Pollutants, mercury, and other hazardous substances across the entire product lifecycle — strengthening institutional and regulatory frameworks, deploying Best Available Techniques in the formal and informal recycling sectors, and supporting India's compliance with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Under the Chemicals Waste Management sub-pillar, UNDP India supports the Government of India — primarily the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and its Ozone Cell — in meeting its obligations under the Montreal Protocol and the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The Hydrochlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Management Plan Stage III (HPMP III) supports the complete and sustainable phase-out of HCFCs across Indian manufacturing sectors, while the HFC Demonstration Projects pilot commercially viable transitions to low Global Warming Potential refrigerant alternatives under the Kigali Amendment. The Institutional Strengthening Project Phase XIV (ISP-XIV) provides sustained capacity and coordination support to the National Ozone Unit. The GEMINI Project — Global Elimination of Mercury in Non-ferrous metals Initiative in India — addresses mercury releases from the copper, zinc, lead, and aluminium smelting and refining industries, supporting policy, regulatory, and technology interventions to reduce mercury emissions and safeguard human health & ecosystems, in line with India's commitments under the Minamata Convention.
Together, these projects position the CE & CWM pillar as a key contributor to India's environmental governance agenda & its international commitments on chemicals & waste management.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of Project Specialist, the Project Associate will perform the following tasks:
1. Support the Project Specialist in planning and running the Circular Economy and Chemicals Waste Management (CE & CWM) pillar, panning Circular Economy (Plastic Waste Management, TCCF Plastics Circularity, and E-Waste) and Chemicals Waste Management (HPMP III, HFC Demonstrations, ISP-XIV, and GEMINI) projects, in accordance with approved work plans, donor agreements, and GEF/MLF reporting timelines.
2. Maintain integrated cross-project trackers covering workplans, milestones, financial delivery, and key actions across all seven projects, and follow up with project teams, implementing partners, and government counterparts to ensure timely completion.
3. Coordinate routine programme reviews and project-level meetings including weekly team check-ins, monthly progress reviews, and Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Project Board meetings and support in preparing agendas, meeting notes, and ensuring closure of action points.
4. Track implementation progress across project components and partner organisations; flag delays, bottlenecks, or risks early to enable quick corrective action by the Project Specialist.
5. Maintain an active issues and risks log across the portfolio; support escalation of unresolved issues to the Project Specialist and track resolution to closure in line with UNDP protocols.
6. Coordinate with government counterparts as well as private sector partners, civil society organisations, and UN agencies for implementation follow-ups, data requests, approvals, and reporting inputs.
7. Compile concise and accurate progress updates, results summaries, and reporting packs for internal UNDP management as well as external stakeholders, donors and private sector partners, ensuring outputs are results-oriented and evidence-based.
8. Manage programme documentation, maintaining a well-organised, version-controlled repository of project files, decisions, partner correspondence, progress reports, and evidence, in line with UNDP's programme and operations policies.
9. Support the preparation of concept notes, project briefs, donor proposals, and knowledge products by compiling background information, results data, partner inputs, and contextual evidence as requested.
10. Undertake any other tasks as assigned by the Project Specialist or Senior Management in support of the CE & CWM pillar's delivery.
Relevant experience
4 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies / Development Studies / Public Administration or any other related areas.
Skills and experience
• At least 4 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in project management of working in the UN or other international development organization.
• Adequate experience in management of projects in the environmental field including prior experience with circular economy, plastic waste management, e-waste, chemical waste etc.
• Good understanding of current issues related to climate change and environment at the national and sub-national levels;
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office and other relevant software packages
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting skills.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.