WasteAid Project Coordinator (Mpumalanga, South Africa) At WasteAid

Introduction

1 out of 3 people worldwide are forced to dump or burn their waste, causing the spread of disease, polluting the oceans, and contributing to the global climate crisis.

At WasteAid, we work with communities and policy makers in low and middle-income countries to implement waste management and recycling programmes. Our work improves the livelihoods of some of the poorest and most marginalised, promotes circular economy innovation and contributes to a cleaner and healthier future for all.

Waste management is often a neglected element of the international development agenda yet the consequences of poor waste management are severe, affecting both people and planet. Health consequences include increased respiratory illnesses due to burning waste, higher levels of insect borne illnesses due to open dumping, greater prevalence of watery diarrhoea and other illnesses due to blocked and polluted waterways. It is the poorest that bear the heaviest disease burden and for those living in extreme poverty, this can lead to increased mortality. The environmental consequences of poor waste management are no less severe, burning waste contributes to the climate crisis through greenhouse gases, contaminated soil and waterways put ecosystems at risk and the dirt and odour from unmanaged waste degrades the general environment

To tackle this crisis, WasteAid promotes and shares locally appropriate, evidence based and inclusive waste management practices, supporting and empowering others to take positive action. We partner with public, private and community-based organisations in countries where poor waste management is harming the environment, economy and society. We cooperate with businesses and governments to help address the global waste crisis and we build the capacity of international non-governmental organisations with our bespoke approach to sustainable waste management, not least through our award-winning toolkit.

WasteAid is a dynamic, growing organisation that has more than quadrupled in size over the last 2 years. The organisation is active in 8 countries across Africa and Asia. WasteAid is a fast-paced, agile organisation that has incredible growth potential – constantly increasing in both scale and scope to respond to some of the world’s most pressing issues.

The International Circular Plastics Flagship Project – Mpumalanga District, South Africa

This feasibility study is an exciting new partnership between WasteAid, the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs and the University of Portsmouth. It is part of an initiative to close the loop on plastics in South Africa, India, Kenya and Chile.

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The project – WasteAid has been awarded funding for an initial 12-month feasibility study in Mpumalanga Province in South Africa. The aim of the study is to test out methodologies that help drive increased segregation and separation of plastic waste, to drive better local processing capacity, and to identify and create local end markets for hard to recycle plastics. The pilot will include testing approaches to build the processing and business capacities of up to three existing cooperatives. The output of the project will be a comprehensive feasibility study which will document the impact and results with a view to scaling the approach in other localities. **

WasteAid Project Coordinator – Job Description

Location:, Mpumalanga. The position will be a combination of home working and sharing facilities with the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA). You will need to demonstrate eligibility to work in South Africa. The contract will be administered from the UK.

Reporting to:** Head of Programmes (UK)

Salary:** Between £28,000 and £33,000 depending on experience

Hours of work: Full-time 5 days per week (37.5 hours) with daily flexibility.

Project Coordinator Objectives:

The Project Coordinator will provide overall project management, co-ordination and local engagement, as well as providing technical and administrative leadership and expertise on the project. The Project Manager will serve as the primary liaison with local operations and be WasteAid’s ambassador for the region. Research Assistant (UK based) will also be hired to support the Project Coordinator

Project Cycle Management

• Local project management, co-ordination and engagement to include the planning and high-quality, timely execution of the local programme, working closely with the Head of Programmes to ensure that all aspects of the project management cycle are being adhered to.
• Detailed planning, regular review and execution of the project work plan.
• Working with DARDLEA to select the project zone(s) in Mpumalanga.
• Mapping of plastics value chain within the chosen areas, identifying gaps and opportunities for improving the local market for plastics.
• In conjunction with the Research Assistant, establishing clear log frame indicators/KPIs and ensure monitoring and evaluation processes are set up and operational.
• Ensuring timely narrative and financial reporting on the project, and to ensure a regular flow of information on the project successes that can be disseminated through WasteAid communications.
• Setting up regular project meetings with partner staff and other WasteAid colleagues.
• Ensuring that areas of technical support required for the project are defined, working closely with WasteAid team members for specific work packages within the project.

Behaviour change

• Identifying and implementing behaviour change approaches to drive the improved segregation of plastic waste at household level.

Business capacity development

• Supporting WasteAid’s business development team in the design and execution of the business capacity support to cooperative groups working on the waste management value chain.

Market Development

• Identifying and developing end-market opportunities for plastic recyclers locally. This could be identification of corporate partners (with a focus on Plastic Pact members) seeking to purchase plastic feedstocks, or developing local markets for products (such as agricultural products, pavers, beams etc.)

Finance & compliance

• Oversee local financial affairs of the project, including local budgets, adherence to effective internal financial controls and review of monthly financial reporting.
• Ensuring day to day compliance to WasteAid and donor rules on budget expenditure, paying particular attention to achieving and demonstrating value for money.
• Oversight of partner budgets ensuring that disbursements happen in a timely way and that evidence of expenditure is being strictly followed until disbursements are made.
• Ensure familiarity and adherence to donor and WasteAid’s policies and standards with specific reference to Safeguarding and Whistleblowing policies.
• Development and monitoring of a project risk register.

Partner management

• Oversight and management of work delivered by project partners (DARDLEA, University of Portsmouth and sub-contractors).
• Ensuring clear MOUs are in place and activities are clear for all partners and sub-contractors.
• Supporting on the logistical arrangements for field visits for WasteAid and partner staff.
• Ensuring that partners are inducted and trained on key policies within WasteAid (safeguarding, whistleblowing, anti-bribery and corruption, health and safety).

Communication & Representation

• Responsible for the development and execution of a communications plan for the project, ensuring that the WasteAid communications team has a source of regular and quality content that tells the story of the project.
• Represent WasteAid to key stakeholders, community leaders and national and local government in the region.
• Attend and contribute to WasteAid project and team meetings, ensuring the Senior Management Team is kept up-to-date on the progress against key milestones set for the project and ensuring activities reflect WasteAid technical recommendations.
• Establish and foster relationships with a broad network of stakeholders, in particular Plastic Pact SA members (ensuring they are kept up-to-date on progress and potential for involvement), community groups, potential entrepreneurs and activists, local and regional government representatives and business leaders, assimilating and contributing to new developments relevant to the programme and ensuring WasteAid is well represented at all times.
• Maintain a strong and engaging relationship with DARDLEA.

Qualifications and requirements

• Eligibility to work in South Africa.
• Education to first degree level in a relevant discipline, particularly desirable would be for an education that has included elements of circular economy, waste management and plastic recycling.
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in a Senior Project Management leadership role, managing teams, budgets of circa £200k, preferably in similar waste management community-based project management roles.
• Experience with working in coordination with local government, community-based organisations and the private sector.
• Excellent project management skills, planning, budget and logistics management, organisation, interpersonal skills and communications.
• Excellent English language writing and communications skills; proficiency in locally relevant languages is essential.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a remote team.
• Flexibility, ability to easily overcome the pressure, ability to improvise and prioritise workloads, and sensitivity to cultural diversity.
• Proficient in MS Office.
• Commitment to the mission and goals of the WasteAid programme and all policies including Health and Safety and Safeguarding.