Expert in Circular Economy Policy and Business Development

Result of ServiceThe outputs of this consultancy are as follows: - A finalized capacity-building needs assessment form and analysis of responses from the three target countries. - Capacity-building materials for policymakers, including slide decks and facilitator manual. - Reports of national capacity-building workshops for policymakers summarizing key outcomes and participant feedback. Work LocationRemote Expected duration4 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The Arab region faces significant environmental and socio-economic challenges that hinder its transition to a circular economy. Continued reliance on linear economic models contributes to resource depletion, environmental degradation, and social inequities, while high unemployment, particularly among women and youth, exacerbates vulnerabilities across the region. To address these challenges, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is implementing the project “Better Policies for Accelerated Transition to Circular Economy and Enhanced Climate Action in Arab States.” The project aims to accelerate the shift toward circularity by strengthening enabling policy frameworks and building institutional and human capacities in three target countries: Lebanon, Morocco, and Oman. Recognizing the pivotal role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which constitute 80–90% of businesses in most Arab countries, the project focuses on empowering SMEs as key drivers of circular transformation. It supports policymakers, business support organizations (BSOs), and SMEs through a combination of policy development, technical assistance, and targeted capacity-building interventions. By strengthening policymakers’ capacities to design and implement coherent, evidence-based policies that support circular business models, the project seeks to foster an enabling environment in which SMEs can adopt and scale circular economy practices. To this end, it includes a series of national capacity-building workshops for policymakers, designed to enhance their ability to formulate and implement policies that promote circular economy adoption by SMEs. To support the design and delivery of these workshops, ESCWA seeks an Expert in Circular Economy Policy and Business Development to develop and implement targeted capacity-building programs for policymakers in Lebanon, Morocco, and Oman. Tasks - Duties and Responsibilities The expert will be responsible for the following tasks: - Needs Assessment: Prepare a needs assessment form to be shared with focal points in the ministries of Lebanon, Morocco, and Oman to identify national priorities and capacity-building needs for policymakers. - Content Development: Prepare capacity-building material in consultation with national counterparts and ESCWA. - Capacity Building Delivery: Deliver six national capacity-building workshops for policymakers in the three target countries. Qualifications/special skillsA master’s degree in environmental science, circular economy, sustainability, economics, or a related field such as environmental policy or business development with a focus on sustainability is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Note: All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. At least 10 years of work experience in circular economy, sustainable development, or environmental policy is required. Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, capacity-building, and coordinating with national teams or government institutions is required. Experience in developing policy frameworks, toolkits, or strategic guidelines related to sustainability, SMEs, or economic development is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English, French and Arabic is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand). “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.