Biowaste Systems Specialist

Project : Organics Mobilized: Accelerating Social Transformation Towards Circular Bioeconomy

Start Date : October 2026

End Date : July 2028

Project Background

The Organics Mobilized : Accelerating Social Transformation Towards Circular Bioeconomy project supports Armenia's transition toward sustainable organic waste and biomass management through integrated circular economy approaches. The project is implemented by the American University of Armenia (AUA) in partnership with UNDP Armenia, funded by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Food and Nutrition Challenge, a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Initiative.

The project aims to reduce methane and other climate pollutant emissions from the organic waste sector by strengthening national and municipal capacities, improving source separation and valorization of organic waste, piloting decentralized circular bioeconomy solutions, promoting sustainable cold-chain technologies, and facilitating behavioral and institutional transformation through Living Labs and Learning Communities.

Objective

To provide technical expertise on organic waste management and circular biowaste systems, supporting the assessment, design, feasibility analysis, and operational planning of sustainable organic waste collection, treatment, and valorization solutions in pilot municipalities, while contributing to methane reduction, circular bioeconomy outcomes, and the development of replicable biowaste service models.

Scope of Work and Responsibilities

Assess organic waste generation, composition, collection practices and existing management systems in selected pilot municipalities.

Identify key organic waste streams and assess their potential for source separation, collection, treatment, recovery and valorization.

Conduct technical assessments of existing municipal and decentralized organic waste management infrastructure and identify opportunities for improvement.

Support the design and technical planning of appropriate composting and other organic waste treatment and valorization systems.

Develop technical options and operational models for source separation, collection, transportation, treatment and end-use of organic waste.

Assess the technical suitability of proposed biowaste solutions based on local waste characteristics, infrastructure, operational capacity, market conditions and municipal needs.

Conduct or contribute to technical-economic feasibility assessments of proposed biowaste management solutions.

Support municipalities, project partners and Living Lab members in evaluating appropriate technologies, service arrangements and operational models for organic waste management.

Develop a biowaste management protocol for the Living Labs and deliver ongoing training and mentorship to Living Lab members on its application and implementation.

Provide expert input and technical guidance to the project team as needed.

Contribute technical inputs to the project's monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV)framework.

Support the development of technical recommendations for integrating successful biowaste models into municipal systems and broader waste management strategies.

Contribute to the identification of opportunities for replication and scale-up of successful biowaste solutions across Armenia.

Support from AUA

The Biowaste Systems Specialist will work under the supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with the project implementation team, relevant technical experts, municipalities, UNDP Armenia, CCAC, UNEP, UNOPS, consultants, service providers, academic institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

Advanced university degree in Environmental engineering, Waste management, Environmental science, Chemical engineering, Environmental management, Circular economy or a related technical field.

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in organic waste management, municipal solid waste management, biowaste treatment, resource recovery, environmental engineering or a related field.

Practical knowledge of composting, anaerobic digestion, source separation, organic waste collection and/or other biological treatment and resource recovery technologies.

Experience conducting technical-economic feasibility studies, cost-benefit analyses, lifecycle cost assessments or business case development for environmental infrastructure or waste management systems.

Experience working with municipalities, waste management operators, government institutions, development organizations or other relevant stakeholders.

Knowledge of methane emissions from the waste sector and approaches for estimating emission reductions is strongly preferred.

Familiarity with monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems and environmental performance indicators is an advantage.

Experience supporting pilot projects, demonstrations or implementation of decentralized waste management systems is an advantage.

Strong analytical, technical writing and problem-solving skills.

Ability to translate technical assessments into practical recommendations and operational models.

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple technical assignments and deadlines.

Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders with different technical backgrounds.

Excellent written and spoken English and Armenian.

Additional Information

Please submit your CV and Cover letter (with the names of three referees) via AUA career platform here.

AUA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active non-discrimination program within the institution