Technical Specialist - Green Venture Zone (GVZ) [Open to Tier 0&1&2 Applica at UNDP

Pokhara, Gandaki Province, Nepal -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

28 Jul, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

29 Apr, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Strategic leadership, Project management, Business incubation, Circular economy, Stakeholder engagement, Operational management, Community outreach, Sustainability, Recycling and upcycling, Partnership development, Financial sustainability, Gender equality and social inclusion, Capacity building, Market development, Policy coordination, Innovation management

Industry

International Affairs

Description

Tiered Approach In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby: * Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026. * Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments * Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers * Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply. Background Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC) generates 182 metric tons of waste per day, including the waste generated by the fluctuating population. Out of this, 70 percent is domestic, while 20 percent and 10 percent are commercial and institutional respectively. Out of the total waste, 128 tons/day is being disposed of in the dumping site in Laamey Aahal (Ward 32). However, the dumping site does not meet proper standards for a landfill site since it is located just beside a river and does not have proper walls to prevent leakage of wastewater. Being the capital city of Gandaki Province, as well as a major tourist destination, Pokhara is one of Nepal’s fastest-growing cities. The increase in population due to migration, influx of tourists, and rise in commercial activities, has increased the pressure on the existing waste management infrastructure of the city. Currently, PMC lacks a permanent solution for sustainable solid waste management. However, the concept of recycling and upcycling could be one of the suitable options to manage the increasing volume of waste. In this context, “Green Job Creation Through Recycling and Upcycling (GCRU) Project” ( 2023 to 2029) in PMC is designed to promote the green economy based on the circular economy model, in place of the current ‘throw-away’ linear approach, thereby increasing green jobs and contributing to sustainable solid waste management. This objective will be achieved through three interlinked areas of intervention. i) Policy and coordination, ii) Promoting of RU enterprises, and iii) Empowering communities for increased awareness and community-level Recycling and Upcycling (RU) initiatives. Under the project outcome 2, the GCRU project is promoting recycling and upcycling enterprises by linking them to the business incubation support programme under the Green Venture Zone (GVZ). GVZ is an innovation hub dedicated to turning waste into valuable resources through creativity, innovation, business incubation and education in recycling and upcycling alongside being a market space for recycling and upcycling products. It supports both existing and emerging recycling and upcycling enterprises, promoting environmental, social, and economic awareness. By encouraging sustainable practices that contribute to a circular economy, GVZ offers visitors the chance to observe, learn, and engage in activities that inspire eco-friendly lifestyle choices and creative solutions to everyday waste challenges. The GVZ is under construction in Pokhara ward no. 9 and planned to be completed tentatively in first quarter of 2027. Recycling and Upcycling enterprises, which have been selected for incentivizing or skills development training and community-level RU groups could be the direct beneficiaries of the GVZ incubation and educational programs. By the end of the GCRU project, the GVZ is expected to be fully operationalized and self-sustained for increased public awareness and to promote RU enterprises. GVZ is expected to be one of the educational and touristic destinations in Pokhara, under the direct management from PMC. The Green Venture Zone (GVZ) represents a flagship investment whose long-term success depends far more on effective operation and management than on physical infrastructure alone. Upon completion, the facility will be handed over to the local government, Pokhara Metropolitan City, which is expected to assume governance responsibility. To ensure a smooth transition and sustainable performance, the project must establish a strong operational foundation in advance. The GVZ is designed as a multifunctional hub comprising exhibition halls, recycling and upcycling materials banks, marketplaces, retail spaces, a café, multi-purpose co-working and studio rooms, a children’s experience center, dedicated classrooms, seminar halls, and a shared workshop. In addition, the GVZ will host a business incubation program to actively promote recycling and upcycling enterprises, positioning it as a catalyst for green economic growth. Given Pokhara’s status as a major tourism gateway in Nepal, the GVZ is also envisioned as a landmark attraction that integrates sustainability, innovation, and visitor engagement. Position Purpose The critical determinant of the GVZ’s viability is the strategic utilization of these diverse spaces to generate consistent revenue streams and achieve financial self-sufficiency. While an operation and management plan is under development, translating this vision into a functioning, high-performing institution requires specialized leadership. Therefore, the role of GVZ Specialist is crucial to convert plans into actionable strategies, establish operational systems, drive partnerships, and lead execution. The Specialist will serve as the cornerstone for institutionalizing sustainable management practices, ensuring that the GVZ evolves into a self-sustaining model of circular economic innovation and a long-term asset for the city. UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. Duties and Responsibilities Provide strategic leadership for the operationalization and management of the Green Venture Zone (GVZ): * Oversee the operational activation of all GVZ functional spaces, ensuring they are utilized in accordance with their intended design and optimized for exhibitions, enterprise development activities, educational programmes, workshops, and enhanced visitor engagement. * Facilitate establishing and maintaining operational systems and protocols to ensure efficient, transparent, and equitable allocation of shared infrastructure and resources. * Develop, implement, and monitor operational guidelines, safety standards, and service procedures to support effective use by service providers, partners, and visitors. * Ensure that the GVZ operates as a dynamic and accessible public-facing facility, positioned to attract visitors, enterprises, innovators, and potential investors. * Provide technical and operational support for the development, rollout, and periodic review of the GVZ Operations and Management Plan. * Promote and facilitate revenue‑generating utilization of GVZ spaces, contributing to the financial sustainability and long-term viability of the facility. Lead the design, implementation, and institutionalization of educational, community engagement, and enterprise incubation programmes; * Provide technical expertise in designing and delivering high quality educational and experiential learning programmes on recycling, upcycling, and circular economy practices for children, youth, and community groups. * Facilitate for the operationalization and management of classrooms, workshops, and training facilities through structured learning modules, hands on demonstrations, and targeted capacity building activities. * Lead community outreach and engagement initiatives to position GVZ as a hub for environmental awareness, sustainability innovation, and positive behavioral change. * Strengthen, and expand the GVZ business incubation programme for recycling and upcycling enterprises, ensuring alignment with circular economy principles and organizational goals. * Facilitate enterprise access to training, mentorship, business development services, and technical advisory support to enhance the growth, sustainability, and market readiness of incubated ventures. * Organize exhibitions, public campaigns, knowledge sharing events, and stakeholder engagement activities to enhance GVZ’s visibility, partnerships, and developmental impact. * Promote inclusive and equitable participation, ensuring meaningful engagement of marginalized communities, women led enterprises, and youth innovators across all programme components. Establish GVZ enterprise by creating structured linkages between RU enterprises, project‑supported groups, and GVZ infrastructure * Establish functional linkages between the GVZ infrastructure and recycling/upcycling (RU) enterprises and groups formed under the project. * Facilitate enterprise access to GVZ facilities, including materials banks, marketplaces, production spaces, and shared services, to enhance operational efficiency and growth. * Support enterprise development by coordinating advisory and technical assistance, organizing exposure and peer‑learning opportunities. * Support for the development and implementation of management systems that ensure transparent, equitable, and accountable utilization of GVZ resources by enterprises and community groups. * Monitor facility utilization and enterprise performance, including revenue generation and service uptake, to inform adaptive management and continuous improvement of GVZ operations. * Strengthen institutional systems and capacities to prepare the GVZ financial sustainability * Promote an enabling ecosystem for green and circular-economy enterprises within the GVZ framework, fostering innovation, collaboration, and value addition. * Establish national and international linkages among RU entrepreneurs to enable the exchange of recycled/upcycled products, technologies, and innovations, enhancing competitiveness and market reach. Build and maintain high‑level partnerships with government institutions, private sector actors, tourism stakeholders, national and international market players * Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with tourism associations, chambers of commerce, local governments, and private‑sector stakeholders. * Facilitate market engagement by connecting RU enterprises with national and international markets to expand business opportunities. * Strengthen collaboration with educational institutions, civil society organizations, and innovation networks to support knowledge exchange and enterprise development. * Mobilize partnerships and resources that attract investment, visitors, buyers, and technical or knowledge partners. * Enhance multi-stakeholder coordination to position GVZ as a national model for circular‑economy enterprises. * Support advocacy, communications, and visibility initiatives that promote GVZ and its enterprises across diverse audiences. Mainstream Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in GVZ Operations and Programmes and acilitation of knowledge building * Ensure the systematic integration of GESI principles across all GVZ operations, enterprise incubation services, training programmes, and community engagement initiatives. * Promote equitable participation and leadership of women, youth, persons with disabilities, waste workers, and other marginalized groups in recycling and upcycling (RU) enterprises and GVZ activities. * Facilitate targeted capacity-building, mentorship, and business development support to strengthen women-led and socially excluded entrepreneurs’ access to markets, finance, and innovation opportunities. * Ensure GVZ facilities, services, and operational procedures are accessible, safe, and inclusive, including the promotion of gender-responsive workplace standards and prevention of discrimination and harassment. * Monitor and report on GESI outcomes by integrating gender- and inclusion-sensitive indicators, documenting good practices, and promoting partnerships with relevant organizations to advance inclusive green economy initiatives. * Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None Competencies Core Competencies Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Business Management - Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management Business Direction & Strategy - Systems 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 Partnership management - Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms 2030 Agenda: People - Gender: Innovation for Gender Equality 2030 Agenda: Prosperity - Inclusive Growth: Green Economy 2030 Agenda: Prosperity - Inclusive Growth: Poverty and Inequality Metrics 2030 Agenda: Prosperity - Inclusive Growth: Social Inclusion Required Skills and Experience Education: * Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Development Studies, Business Administration, or in relevant field is required, or * A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree Experience: * Minimum 5 years (with master´s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor´s degree) of experience in designing and implementing education, training, and community engagement programs in the development sector is required. * Global experience on Recycling and Upcycling Centers, such as Seoul Upcycling Plaza or similar initiatives is required; * Proven experience in developing and implementing business plans for SMEs and start‑ups is desired. * Experience in incubation and entrepreneurship support initiatives, with a focus on green and circular enterprises is desired. * Experience in enterprise mentoring, skill-building, and business advisory services for entrepreneurs and social enterprises is desired. * Experience as leader in projects linking community engagement with sustainability, circular economy, recycling, and upcycling innovations is desired. * Experience managing networks of small businesses, cooperatives, and enterprise is desired. * Experience building partnerships with private-sector entities, NGOs, international organizations, and donor agencies is desired. * Experience of working in a developing country. * Experience using MS Office, digital tools, and remote collaboration platforms is required. Language: * Fluency in English is required. * Working knowledge of Nepali or Korean would be an additional advantage. 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. Probation For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period. 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. Use of AI by candidates Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection [https://www.undp.org/careers/using-ai-responsibly-undp-recruitment-and-selection] 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. #LI-DNI

Responsibilities

The Technical Specialist will lead the operationalization and management of the Green Venture Zone (GVZ) in Pokhara, ensuring its financial sustainability and institutional success. They will oversee functional spaces, drive business incubation programs for recycling and upcycling enterprises, and foster strategic partnerships to promote a circular economy.