Project Analyst

Background

In today’s digital age, electronic devices have become an integral part of our lives. From smartphones and laptops to televisions and refrigerators, we rely heavily on these electronic gadgets for communication, entertainment, and convenience. However, with the rapid advancement of technology and the increasing demand for new and improved devices, a new challenge has emerged – electronic waste, commonly known as e-waste. Sierra Leone is a country of 8.61 million people. Electronic waste (e-waste) refers to discarded electrical or electronic devices, encompassing computers, mobile phones, televisions, and household appliances – more recently, as noted by the Sierra Leone EPA, solar batteries. The rapid advancement of technology and increased consumer demand have led to a global surge in e-waste generation. In 2019, the world produced approximately 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste, with projections indicating a rise to 74.7 million metric tonnes by 2030. 

In Sierra Leone, e-waste generation is still relatively low compared to global figures. As of 2019, the country generated an estimated 0.5 kilograms of e-waste per capita, placing it among the nations with the lowest e-waste generation rates. This low figure can be attributed to factors such as limited access to electronic devices and lower consumption rates. Despite the modest per capita generation, Sierra Leone faces significant challenges in managing e-waste. The absence of clear guidelines and regulations has resulted in uncertainties surrounding the collection, transportation, and disposal or recycling of e-waste. This regulatory gap poses environmental and health risks, as improper handling of e-waste can lead to the release of hazardous substances, including heavy metals and toxic chemicals, into the environment. The capital city, Freetown, exemplifies the broader waste management challenges in the country. Only about 30% of the waste generated in Freetown is safely disposed of, with the remainder ending up in illegal dumpsites, streets, or flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. While specific data on e-waste within this waste stream is limited, the increasing use of electronic devices suggests a growing presence of e-waste in the city's overall waste.

In spite of the prevailing challenges, e-waste contains valuable materials like gold, silver, and copper. These precious materials are, however, not easy to extract and require specific processes to avoid occupational health and environmental hazards. Recognizing the need for innovative solutions to address this issue is extremely important in order to face this crisis and implementing a circular economy approach can transform e-waste into economic opportunities by:

Increase knowledge and awareness on opportunities for resource efficiency in the management of various waste material streams. Recycling precious metals, which reduces the need for raw material extraction. Establishing e-waste collection and recycling centers that can create employment opportunities, particularly for youth and marginalized communities. Encouraging innovation in upcycling and repurposing electronic components can foster new business ventures.

The Samsung E-waste project therefore aims to address these challenges by fostering education and awareness, sustainable innovation and engagement with youth to support the change in communities. This project will contribute to and combine with the UNDP GEF-Shifting to Zero Waste Against Pollution (SWAP) project. It will align its interventions to the SWAP efforts to reduce chemical pollution in the value chain, and wasting of resources, by supporting Sierra Leone towards a zero-waste vision in line with green chemistry, circular economy, and waste hierarchy principles for sustainable production and consumption. Among other things, the project will contribute the following objectives under the SWAP project:

Assist in data collection, studies and assessments that can support SWAP in Policy coherence and promote integrated planning and programming at city level towards a long-term vision of zero waste and zero pollution by also integrating the views and expectation of youth groups in the process.

Integrate youth into information gathering and knowledge management activities, making data accessible for raising awareness to every key stakeholder in the key value chains including producers, retailers, consumers, citizens, waste workers through a whole-of-society approach.

The Project Analyst will be responsible for the overall planning, coordination, execution, and monitoring of project activities. The role requires strong leadership, project management skills, and technical expertise in environmental sustainability, recycling, and circular economy principles. The position is based in Freetown.

Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of the Team Lead for the People-Centered Sustainable Development and Resilience (PCSDR), the National Project Analyst will lead the implementation of the project, ensuring that activities are executed in alignment with the project's objectives, timelines, and budgetary allocations. The Project Analyst will oversee the preparation of annual work plans and manage the project budget to ensure efficient and accountable use of resources.

In this role, the Project Analyst will be responsible for establishing and maintaining strong networks and partnerships that facilitate effective implementation, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and support the sharing of knowledge and best practices. The role also includes providing support to training workshops, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing national competencies in e-waste management and resource circularity.

The Project Analyst will monitor and organize key project activities such as the development of the inception report, the organization of training and mentorship sessions, implementation of research and assessment studies, and the coordination of the Innovation Awards. In doing so, they will supervise and offer technical support to consultants and other actors involved in project delivery.

The role requires proactive risk management and the ability to adapt strategies in response to emerging challenges to ensure the achievement of project results. The Project Analyst will also contribute to the development of annual reports, knowledge management products, and communication materials that document progress, lessons learned, and impact.

Additionally, the National Project Analyst will facilitate and follow up on the implementation of the collective action plan and provide regular progress updates to the Team Lead for PCSDR, ensuring consistency with the project’s multi-year implementation strategy.

1. Lead the implementation of project activities:

• Develop a detailed project implementation roadmap aligned with timelines and budget: Create and maintain a comprehensive Gantt chart outlining milestones such as the launch of the e-waste hub, training rollouts, and the Innovation Awards;
• Coordinate day-to-day execution of project components: Oversee logistics, procurement, and stakeholder engagement needed to establish and operationalize the Samsung-supported e-waste and circular innovation lab; 
• Track deliverables and milestones: Ensure timely completion of key outputs, such as the installation of e-waste recycling equipment and delivery of capacity-building sessions;
• Ensure alignment with national and donor priorities: Integrate key objectives of the project with Sierra Leone’s waste management policies and Samsung’s global CSR priorities in circular economy and sustainability;
• Host regular implementation review meetings: Facilitate bi-weekly or monthly sessions with implementing partners to assess progress and adapt plans as needed.

2. Support training workshops, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building sessions:

• Coordinate and support the delivery of technical training sessions on e-waste collection, dismantling, recycling, and safe disposal; 
• Design and oversee awareness campaigns aimed at educating communities, especially youth and women, on the dangers of e-waste and the opportunities in resource circularity; 
• Organize capacity-building sessions for local technicians, university students, and entrepreneurs to develop local expertise in circular innovation; 
• Facilitate partnerships with local training institutions to co-host or accredit circular innovation training programs;
• Monitor training outcomes and collect feedback from participants to continuously improve training effectiveness and relevance.

3. Monitor and organize project activities:

• Draft Terms of Reference and oversee the recruitment of national and international consultants for specialized tasks such as lab setup, training module design, and feasibility studies; 
• Provide day-to-day oversight, ensuring consultants’ deliverables align with project objectives, UNDP quality standards, and Samsung’s CSR expectations; 
• Facilitate technical reviews and validate outputs before submission to UNDP and Samsung stakeholders; 
• Maintain updated records of project activities and consultant deliverables to ensure transparency and ease of reporting;
• Coordinate logistics and scheduling for workshops, field visits, and internal reviews to support efficient project delivery.

4. Manage project risks and address challenges proactively:

• Maintain an up-to-date project risk register and develop mitigation strategies for potential implementation bottlenecks such as customs delays, equipment shortages, or low participation; 
• Adjust project activities as needed in consultation with the PCSDR Team Lead and key partners to remain responsive to emerging challenges and contextual shifts; 
• Facilitate solution-focused discussions with stakeholders to ensure issues are addressed collaboratively and timely; 
• Document lessons learned from past or resolved challenges and integrate them into adaptive planning;
• Develop contingency plans for critical milestones to avoid significant delays or budget overruns.

5. Provide inputs for annual reports, knowledge management tools, and communication materials:

• Track key performance indicators, compile data, and support the preparation of UNDP and donor-facing progress reports and results narratives; 
• Coordinate with the communications team to produce visibility materials, including infographics, video stories, and social media content that highlight project impact; 
• Contribute to the documentation of lessons learned, good practices, and success stories to inform scale-up within the UniPod network and across other Timbuktoo countries;
• Support creation of knowledge products such as factsheets, brochures, and toolkits to share project methodologies and results;
• Ensure proper archiving of communication and reporting materials for future reference and donor audits.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangements

The Project Analyst will be under the direct supervision of the Team Lead for the People-Centered Sustainable Development and Resilience (PCSDR).

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline;

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination  

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

2030 Agenda

• Nature
  • Ecosystems and biodiversity.

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation
  • Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Direction & Strategy

• System Thinking
  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Digital & Innovation 

• Data Storytelling and Communication
  • Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.
• Data Governance
  • Knowledge of data science, skills to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases and operate data visualization technologies.
• Data Collection
  • Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data).
• Data Analysis
  • Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Education Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Business Management or a closely related field, preferably with an Environment/Climate Change focus is required. Or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in above-mentioned fields in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master´s degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

• Minimum of 2 years’ (with master’s degree) or 4 years’ (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in environmental sciences, waste management, accounting, economics, management or related field is required.

Required Skills

• Proven experience in collaborating with international and national experts and institutions;
• Proficiency in Digital Tools for Project Delivery: Working knowledge of project management software (e.g., MS Project, Trello, or Asana), data visualization platforms, and digital communication tools;
• Proven previous experience in drafting reports on environment related policies; 
• Experience or background in preparing publications, reports and presentations; 
• Demonstrated ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team; 
• Demonstrated experience in Green Economy and Circular Innovation Models with the understanding of global trends and practical approaches in waste-to-value, green entrepreneurship, and sustainable production/consumption systems;
• Experience in Youth and Gender Inclusion Programming; 
• Demonstrated ability to design or support programs that promote inclusive participation of youth and women in environmental and innovation initiatives.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section

• Exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity is desirable;
• Previous experience with expenditure reviews would be an asset; 
• Familiarity with the government is strongly desired;
• Familiarity with accounting or financial management software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle, or specialized tools used in NGOs and environmental projects) would be an asset.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Krio is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Demonstrated ability to design or support programs that promote inclusive participation of youth and women in environmental and innovation initiatives

Demonstrated ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team is required.

Exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity is desirable

Familiarity with accounting or financial management software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle, or specialized tools used in NGOs and environmental projects). would be an asset.

Proficiency in Digital Tools for Project Delivery: Working knowledge of project management software (e.g., MS Project, Trello, or Asana), data visualization platforms, and digital communication tools.