Job 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

Funded by a P3.67 billion (€60 million) grant from the European Union, the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership will run from 2023-2028 in collaboration with the government of the Philippines, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This priority programme of the European Union in the Philippines links European and Filipino partners from the private sector and local governments to foster a circular economy and the reduction of plastic waste. It also aims to improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy use and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Through technology transfers and investments, the programme aims to accelerate the transition to a greener economy while sustaining economic growth that benefits all Filipinos.

The EU-PH Green Economy Partnership is co-funded by Germany's Ministry for the Environment, and implemented by Germany's development agency GIZ, UNDP Philippines, Expertise France with Global Green Growth Institute, and the International Finance Corporation - a member of the World Bank Group. The Green Economy Partnership is part of EU's Global Gateway initiative - the European strategy engaging with partners globally and promoting investments around shared priorities such as the transition to a green economy and the advancement of digital infrastructure, among others.

The EU-PH Green Economy Partnership's second of four specific objectives (SO2), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to enhance circular economy practices by the local government units (LGUs) in collaboration with the private sector and civil society organizations (CSOs), with focus on youth and gender equality. Co-led by UNDP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), SO2 delivers a portfolio of interventions, among others focusing on enabling policies; facilitating financing; advocacy and behavioral change; and enhancing knowledge and capacity among LGUs and local stakeholders. Central to the approach is innovation, promoting gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI), and just transition towards the shift to a circular economy.

The EU-PH Green Economy Partnership SO2 is being implemented in partnership with LGUs and its local stakeholders, including the private sector, CSOs, communities, youth, GEDSI and other informal sector groups. A total of 20 Tier 1 LGUs will be supported directly, while 40 LGUs will be supported with targeted assistance on a demand-driven basis through an inter-local cooperation approach. The first batch of ten Tier 1 LGUs under EU-PH Green Economy Partnership consists of Baguio City, Pasig City, Caloocan City, Quezon City, Puerto Princesa City, Iloilo City, Ormoc City, Davao City, Island Garden City of Samal (Davao Del Norte), and Del Carmen (Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte). Meanwhile, the second batch of ten Tier 1 LGUs include the City of San Carlos (Pangasinan), City of Ilagan (Isabela), City of San Jose Del Monte (Bulacan), City of Bacoor (Cavite), City of Sorsogon, Maasin City (Southern Leyte), Isabela City (Basilan), Cagayan De Oro City, Koronadal City (South Cotabato), and Cotabato City (an independent component city in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao).

Partnership with LGUs and local stakeholders, including GEDSI groups, will drive multi-stakeholder action by developing an integrated portfolio of solutions that combines policies, regulations, finance, infrastructure, business models, and GEDSI-sensitive initiatives with enhanced knowledge and skills. Tier 1 LGUs are currently being supported through a series of multi-stakeholder participatory workshops to collectively analyze entry points to advance local circular economy, map out a priority portfolio of interventions and prioritized sectoral CE portfolios focusing on circularity for plastics, organics, and tourism. Based on these priority CE portfolios, EU-PH Green Economy Partnership SO2 is currently providing support in CE-relevant baselining for material flow, value chains and behavioral change; formulation of local CE policies such as CE ordinance, sustainable public procurement and sectoral CE statutes; and in the co-design and procurement of CE equipment, facilities and systems. EU-PH Green Economy Partnership SO2 is also administering community and behavioral change grants programs through CSOs and academe, as well as an innovation challenge to support innovators and local enterprises and drive replication and scaling up of successful circular economy practices within and beyond the target LGUs for a broader impact.

UNDP Philippines takes overall responsibility and accountability for the delivery of the project outputs. It will be accountable for managing the project, including the monitoring and evaluation of project interventions, achieving project results, and for the effective use of resources, in compliance with UNDP rules and regulations, policies and procedures. These include relevant requirements on fiduciary, procurement, environmental and social safeguards, and other performance standards.

The day-to-day implementation of the project will be led by a Project Manager within a Project Management Unit (PMU) responsible for ensuring that the project achieves the expected targets to the required quality standards and within the specified time and budget allocations. The Project Manager will be supported by a Deputy Project Manager, Project Assistants, technical staff and a pool of contractors and consultants to carry out the deliverables of the project.

The Circular Economy Business Development Specialist will lead the identification, and design of circular economy (CE) business interventions in plastics and organic waste streams, including those linked to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and linking them to potential business actors and investors. The specialist will support LGUs in developing inclusive and commercially viable circular economy solutions by strengthening SME-led business models while also identifying opportunities for larger-scale investments that generate environmental benefits, livelihoods, and green jobs.

Duties And Responsibilities

The CE Business Development Specialist will directly report to the Project Manager, closely collaborate with the Deputy Project Manager, LGU and stakeholder engagement specialists/analysts, GEDSI specialist, social innovation specialist, and Accelerator lab, the rest of the PMU, consultants, UNDP Team, and the project partners, such as the EU, GIZ, IFC, Expertise France, LGUs, and relevant CSO and private sector organizations.

Lead the identification of circular economy business opportunities

Using existing Material Flow Analysis (MFA) and Waste Analysis and Characterization Studies (WACS), update value chain analyses (VCA) on priority high-impact CE interventions in each LGU partner as necessary to map major material flows —particularly plastics and organics—across production, consumption, and waste management stages. Minimum information requirements for VCA include the VCA diagram; and quantification of material amount (tons), monetary value (PHP/USD) and stakeholders including GEDSI groups at each stage.
Identify market gaps and barriers within value chains; upstream, midstream and downstream value-adding CE interventions; and recommend high-impact entry points and quick-win interventions with business development lens.
In collaboration with the GEDSI Specialist, update mapping of key stakeholders along the value chain, including LGUs, private sector actors, MSMEs, households, civil society organizations, and GEDSI groups such as the informal waste sector, women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and local communities.
Assess the enabling environment, including local policies, procurement mechanisms, incentives, behavioral change initiatives, access to finance, and other opportunities for market development.
Identify partnership opportunities with private sector actors and validate findings through stakeholder consultations.

Lead the design and operationalization of circular economy business opportunities

Develop project-wide Local CE Business Development Framework.
Translate the Local CE Business Development Framework into annual project-level Work and Financial Plans, which address LGU needs and strategically clusters common approaches on business and market development, including investors matching.
For plastic circularity, support LGUs and local stakeholders in developing and operationalizing priority interventions, including local Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) readiness, resource sharing arrangements, and implementation. This includes piloting waste avoidance, segregation, collection and recovery systems; establishing waste consolidation and aggregation strategies; identifying appropriate technologies and facilities; and introducing digital systems for tracking, monitoring, and reporting. Facilitate partnerships between LGUs, local waste diverters, including the informal sector, EPR-obligated enterprises, and Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) to enable viable circular economy business models with an end goal for all Tier 1 partner LGUs or local stakeholders tapping into mutually beneficial partnerships and/or agreements.
For organic circularity, particularly where agricultural waste constitutes a major share of municipal waste streams, support LGUs in identifying CE business models and technology that reduce and divert organic waste while generating viable business opportunities, such as composting or digestion, bio-based product manufacture, and other resource valorization solutions.
Support LGUs in stock-taking and identifying CE business models and technologies suited for MSME-led enterprises including through Innovation Challenge grants with the social innovation specialist and the Accelator lab
Support Tier one and two LGUs in exploring larger-scale circular economy investment opportunities and formulation of business plans to achieve economies of scale, if any to be further developed under the project's financing workstream in coordination with the social innovation specialist and the Sustainable Development Goals financing team.
Lead rapid feasibility assessments of priority business models, and investment opportunities, including identifying potential markets and developing terms of reference (TORs) for consultants or firms when required.
Conduct technical reviews and provide supervision of consultants, firms, and contractors supporting circular economy business development in partner LGUs.
Support business networking and matching, market access, innovation challenges, and partnerships to connect circular entrepreneurs with markets, investors, and relevant stakeholders.

Provide specialized support to project management and knowledge management

In collaboration with the Outreach and Knowledge Management Specialist and the MERL Specialist, document key activities, results, and next steps related to CE and business development work for project reporting (annual and semi-annual).
Provide analysis, strategic inputs, and technical advice to project communications and advocacy efforts to strengthen recognition of the project's contributions to circular economy business development in the Philippines.
Collate and document lessons learned and recommendations for policy dialogue, public advocacy and future programming, and organize dissemination of learning within the CO and with partners. including case studies, compendium of good practices in CE etc
Develop background papers, briefs, blogs, presentations, and social media content related to circular economy and business development.
Identify and document best practices and lessons learned to inform project improvements and future interventions, including consolidation of case studies on CE business models and private sector partnerships into a Coffee Table book, in collaboration with the Outreach Specialist.
Develop CE business modules/capdev modules, case studies/impact stories as needed
Support knowledge sharing with partners and stakeholders on circular economy methodologies, achievements, and lessons learned.
Provide additional project management support as required by the project team.

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

Competencies

Core

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 Direction & Strategy

Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPs objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions; Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP

Business Development

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

Business Management

Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

Digital & Innovation

Digital marketing: Knowledge of digital marketing methods and ability to apply them practically
Innovation ecosystem curation: Ability to identify key players in an ecosystem, engage with them and mobilise them to build a community and over time a movement around a common mission that can bring about changes at the system level; Ability to give sense of purpose and build trust, develop programmes of activities and platforms to build and strengthen relationships.

Partnership management

Private sector engagement: Ability to identify, conduct outreach, and manage relationships with the private sector.

Education

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Management, Policy, Business Administration, Enterprise Development, and any other relevant field

OR

A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

Minimum five (5) years (with master's degree) or seven (7) years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant professional experience in circular economy, waste management, and business feasibility, market linkage assessments.

Required Skills

At least three years of experience in leading a technical work in a circular economy, waste management, conducting value chain analysis, and exploring business partnership is required.

Desired Skills

At least five years demonstrated experience in conducting systematic analyses related to the circular economy, solid waste management, and/or extended producer responsibility (EPR) is considered an advantage;
At least five years demonstrated ability in business mapping and development (e.g., EPR systems analysis, value chain assessments, business planning). Submission of related reports or training materials is considered an advantage;
At least three years demonstrated understanding of LGU processes, as well as the needs and perspectives of local stakeholders and businesses is considered an advantage;
At least three years experience working with a United Nations agency, development cooperation organization, or international NGO is considered an advantage; and
At least three years experience working with government counterparts, international organizations, and stakeholders in entrepreneurship, business development, or logistics management is an advantage.

Required Languages

Fluency in English and Filipino/Tagalog 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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP's guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in 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.

Circular Economy Business Development Specialist (Open to internal and external applicants)