CCACWaste Specialist(forBrasilia), Paris, France

The Waste Specialist will provide technical support to the SLCP Unit in the development of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) mitigating actions in the waste sector, particularly related to organic waste and wastewater, through a clean air and climate approach, and ensuring alignment with Brazil’s policy context and the goals of the CCAC Accelerator.

The Specialist will collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the waste sector, including different ministries and subnational governments (state and municipal authorities), to ensure that the national waste policies are oriented to mitigate SLCP by following the CCAC waste management hierarchy, while achieving multiple benefits, such as job generation, social inclusion, improved air quality and food security.

The specialist will also support the development and implementation of systems and policies that enhance source segregation, treatment, and valorization of organic waste, strengthening domestic technical, institutional, and financial capacity. In addition, the specialist will contribute to the design and implementation of financing mechanisms to enable the implementation and scaling of SLCP mitigation solutions in the waste sector, including technical inputs for the mobilization of domestic resources and engagement with the private sector.

Additionally, synergy opportunities with other sectors, particularly agriculture and energy, will be actively sought. The Specialist will be responsible for the organization of stakeholder’s capacity building and training opportunities, including workshops, roundtables, etc. The specialist will also keep coordination with the CCAC Secretariat to enhance collaboration on waste matters, and to support Brazil's leadership in the CCAC Waste Hub, facilitating the engagement of national waste actors to participate in relevant CCAC initiatives.

All activities under this role should explicitly cover both solid waste and wastewater systems as key sources of SLCP emissions.

Objectives include providing specialized technical support to the SLCP unit to advance the SLCP mitigation agenda in the waste sector in Brazil, with a focus on methane emissions from organic waste, landfills, and wastewater systems, and black carbon from open burning, developing new policies and/or reviewing or strengthening SLCP considerations into waste policies and initiatives, while ensuring alignment across relevant sector’s policies.

Technical assistance with the identification and implementation of financing mechanisms to enable the implementation and scaling of SLCP mitigation solutions in the waste sector, including technical inputs for the mobilization of domestic resources and engagement with the private sector.

Collaborate with and provide technical advice to MMA’s waste department, subnational governments and other sector’s actors to implement actions oriented at mitigating SLCPs emissions while achieving multiple benefits, such as job generation, social inclusion, improved air quality and food security in the waste sector.

Strengthen the integrated climate and clean air agenda in the waste sector, supporting the implementation of the waste component of the Clean Air and Climate Plan and its governance mechanism, including translation of policies into actionable measures at national and subnational levels.

Develop knowledge products and build capacity of key stakeholders in the waste sector, with a focus on practical implementation approaches, including organic waste management systems and methane mitigation solutions.

Support Brazil’s collaboration with CCAC and the achievement of the goals of the CCAC Accelerator Key Performance Indicators (KPIS) and Brazil’s co‑leadership of the CCAC Waste Hub and ensure alignment with and uptake of relevant CCAC‑supported initiatives and their recommendations.

Qualifications include an advanced university degree, master or equivalent, in biology, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, natural resources management, ecology, economics, sustainable development or a similar discipline. A first-level university degree in combination with four additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

At least 7 years of professional experience working in a field relevant to climate change and waste is required. Demonstrated ability to write reports, analyse data and provide technical advice in the waste sector, including to High-Level stakeholders is required. Knowledge and experience in development communication and capacity-building methods is required.

Proven experience in organic waste management systems, including segregation at source, collection systems, and valorization pathways (e.g., composting, BSF, anaerobic digestion), is highly desirable. Proven experience or knowledge on carbon credits applied to solid waste management is desirable. Experience with Brazil’s public sector institutions is an asset. Experience in climate finance is an asset.

Demonstrated experience in financing mechanisms for the waste sector, including project structuring, public‑private partnerships, or blended finance for organic waste and methane mitigation solutions, is highly desirable. Experience with short-lived climate pollutants is an asset (methane, black carbon, etc).

Fluency in Portuguese and English is required.