Volunteer Role for a Waste Management Specialist at Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)

Background about VSO
Much has changed since VSO started 60 years ago. We’ve gone from being a UK charity to a truly global development organization. In 2016/2017 alone, we worked with over 7,000 volunteers from all over the world and from all backgrounds to deliver services that had an impact on the lives of almost 2.6 million people in the 24 countries where we work. Our programs focus on the areas of health, education and livelihoods, with an increasing emphasis on resilience building, social accountability, gender and social inclusion. We believe progress is only possible when we work together and that strong partnerships are crucial to delivering positive change. That’s why we work with over 500 partner organizations, from local and national governments, to businesses, NGOs, funders, charities and community groups. Currently, over 30% of our people are recruited from within the country in which they work, and we continue to grow the share of community and national volunteers involved in our programs. We also send increasing numbers of volunteers from one developing country to another. However, our vision has remained the same; to build a world without poverty.

Role Overview

Working from home and at project location – In this role, you will spend some time providing part-time remote support (e.g. from your home) to VSO projects or partners, and also a set period working full-time in the project location and/or VSO office.

This role will work closely with our partners to help deliver our work on plastics, waste and circular economy strategies. This will include advisory and training on waste management strategies that include recycling and circular economy approaches to VSO staff and our local partners. The role will guide on policies in regards to waste management and development of guidelines in line with policy.

Responsibilities:

• Work with our partners to inform circular economy and waste campaigns.
• Provide guidance, training and advisory services to VSO staff and partners as needed.
• Manage circular economy/recycling solutions with our local partners.
• Devising strategies for new and existing refuse reduction/collection projects, and coordinating their implementation.
• Keep up to date with relevant science, technical and policy developments in Waste Management by Liaising with other environmental experts and workers.
• locating areas in which waste management is problematic and devising solutions.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria 

• A degree/Diploma in Waste management, environmental science or geography.
• Experience in waste management plants and implementing circular economy strategies in waste management.
• Strong project management experience with success demonstrated when managing both internal and external stakeholders.
• Possess a knowledge of environmental matters, waste and resources policy, regulatory mandates, and a broad view of the industry at large.
• Ability to communicate with, explain ideas to and motivate others
• A capacity to grasp and apply legislation
• Strong decision-making skills
• Ability to oversee and manage processes and people.

Desirable Criteria:

• Strong organizational skills
• Interest in and understanding of environmental and sustainability policies
• Strong Analytical skills.

Equal Opportunities
VSO promotes equal opportunities and values a diverse workforce.

Allowance
As a VSO volunteer, you will be sharing your skills with local communities on a full time basis. VSO will cover your travel, vaccinations, accommodation, and medical insurance costs, along with a local living allowance which will be paid in local currency. This allowance meets reasonable living expenses in country, but will not be enough to send money home. You will also receive some financial support to contribute to your on-going expenses at home.

Accommodation
VSO works with some of the poorest communities in the world which means accommodation varies and will be basic.

Your application and COVID-19

We are continually reviewing our ability to safely program and implement projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many local restrictions are being implemented in several VSO locations, which impacts VSO’s existing program delivery.

We will continue to follow the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO) and national governments to protect the wellbeing and safety of all communities, employees and volunteers.

We’re continuing to build a talent pool of prospective professional volunteers so we can get back to supporting communities as soon as we’re able to.

If your application is shortlisted, a VSO hiring manager will be in touch to discuss the next steps and any changes to your placement and role.

You can read VSO’s COVID-19 statement and frequently asked questions about volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic here.