This job posting has closed
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) is opening our field staff roster for Disaster Waste Management Experts willing to be deployed at short notice to various parts of the world. As a member of our roster you will continuously receive interesting international job opportunities and invitations to stimulating and valuable trainings and exercises.
Employed by MSB on an international mission you will receive a monthly salary as well as a comprehensive allowances and benefits package, ranging from free home leave travel to access to psychosocial support. MSB’s salaries for field staff are between 42 000 to 86 000 SEK/month.
MSB highly values the well-being of our staff and whilst on mission you will have access to health and psychological support as well as safety support from MSB 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Disasters often generate large volumes of disaster waste, comprised of a mixture of soil and sediments, building rubble, vegetation, municipal waste, hazardous materials (including asbestos and healthcare waste), as well as human and animal remains.
This combination of diverse waste materials poses a serious risk to human health from biological, chemical and physical sources, and may also impede urgent humanitarian access routes. Disaster waste is an additional burden on a nation or community already struggling to cope, and often overwhelms existing waste management services and infrastructure. Experiences from past disasters show that wrong handling of waste in the immediate aftermath of a disaster may be the cause for future environmental problems. Early interventions in disaster waste management may lead to more effective response and recovery operations with less impact on the environment and better utilization of natural resources.
Duties
As a Disaster Waste Management Expert you may be responsible for:
- Assess the existing local capacity for addressing disaster waste management issues;
- Identify specific risks posed by unexploded ordnances, asbestos, health care waste, hazardous materials;
- Provide on-site practical advice and guidance to the relevant local authorities by proposing solutions to minimize environmental and health impacts of disaster waste;
- Assist local authorities in the development of a disaster waste management plan/system, including guidance on proper management of existing waste disposal sites, logistics of waste collection services, and optimization of recycling and re-use options;
- Liaise and coordinate with other mechanisms and entities involved in disaster waste issues like the IASC clusters for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Shelter and Early Recovery, and Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit, WHO, UNDP and UNICEF;
- Identify any needs for further technical assistance, as well as medium and long term needs for capacity development;
- Evaluating the existing solid waste management operational methodologies and plans and proposing changes combined with costs, challenges, risks, etc.;
- Proposing different options to improve the current solid waste management.
- Cash for work programs
- Livelihood programs
- Maintenance of sewage and storm water systems if there is no WASH Expert on location.
You will be expected to perform other duties as required.
Qualifications
Experience
MSB is looking for women and men with a strong commitment/experience towards/with humanitarian relief and disaster operations. It is of utmost priority that you understand, respect and act in the spirit of the mandate and core values of MSB.
A minimum of 5 years’ experience, with progressively higher responsibilities, within development. This should include significant field experience specifically in debris management in post-disaster or post-conflict settings.
Background in solid and/or hazardous waste management issues, and experience in environmental impact/risk assessment.
Experience with the logistics of waste collection services and optimization of recycling of re-use options is an asset.
Education
University degree in Engineering, Environmental science or other related fields. A relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of a formal university degree.
Languages
Fluency in English is essential, both spoken and written. Knowledge of French or any other official UN languages is an asset.