Solid Waste Management Junior Specialist

Position Information

• VA No.: UNDP/LBN/VA26/154
• Position Title: Solid Waste Management Junior Specialist
• Duty Station: Aabbassiyeh – South Lebanon, with field visits to the sorting facility and related sites as required
• Duration: 2 months (without exceeding the total of 28 working days)
• Vacancy Date of Issue: 31 August 2026
• Vacancy Closure Date: 07 September 2026
• National or International consultancy: National consultancy

To review the full Terms of Reference (TOR), please follow link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/148Pj6SrYBj43LRAc-Z0ZMYpfce5mdIrm/view

BACKGROUND

Aabbassiyeh is a village in the Tyre District of South Lebanon, located about 10 km northeast of Tyre and 84 km from Beirut, at an elevation of 150 meters above sea level. It is bordered by Tura and Deir Qanoun Al-Nahr to the east, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Al-Burghaliya and Burj Rahal to the north, and Tyre, Burj Al-Shamali, and Tairdaba to the south. The municipality, which is part of the Union of Tyre Municipalities, consists of 15 elected members.

Aabbassiyeh hosts approximately 800 displaced Lebanese households, about 10,000 refugee households (Syrian and Palestinian), and nearly 1,500 commercial establishments. This significant population pressure has increased demand on municipal services, especially solid waste management.

This situation is compounded by the demographic pressures of internally displaced persons (IDPs), Syrian refugees, and Palestinian refugees, which have led to higher waste generation and strained municipal resources. Consultations with the local community and municipal representatives, including a meeting with the old council in May 2025, indicated that waste generation in Aabbassiyeh now averages 30 tons per day in winter and 40 tons per day in summer, with a composition of approximately 55% recyclable, 25% organic, and 20% non-recyclable materials.

As a result, large amounts of recyclable waste continue to be mixed with organic and rejected waste, ending up in landfills or being improperly disposed of. This, in turn, leads to environmental pollution, higher municipal costs, public health risks, and lost economic opportunities from recycling.

In response to these mounting challenges, the municipality constructed a sorting facility in 2019 on municipally owned land (12 m × 8 m). The objective of this facility was to process waste sorted at source. The facility is equipped with an 8-meter horizontal conveyor (non-magnetic pulley), a hydraulic baling press, and a 60 KVA diesel generator. Waste collection is carried out by three tipper trucks for sorted waste, two of which require maintenance, and two compactor trucks for unsorted waste. Around 50% of residents actively participate in waste sorting at source. The land is officially owned by the municipality, ensuring the legal framework for the facility’s operation.

A recent site visit to the Aabbassiyeh Sorting Facility revealed that the structural condition of the existing hangar is deteriorated and does not meet basic safety or code requirements. The facility’s steel structure shows significant corrosion and irregular modifications that compromise its stability. The municipality is currently preparing to initiate the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in line with national environmental regulations.

Despite this foundation, several challenges limit the efficiency of the current system:

• The facility is partially used as a vehicle maintenance center, creating operational disorganization.
• Key equipment, including the baler and conveyor belt, is damaged, reducing processing capacity.
• Around 15 workers lack technical training in recycling, facility management, and safety standards.
• Sorting at source remains limited to about half of the population.
• No dedicated awareness campaign exists to promote waste sorting.

Consultations with the local community and municipal representatives—the former council in May 2025 and the new council in July–August 2025—confirmed the municipality’s urgent need for upgraded equipment, such as trucks, bins, and recycling machinery. They also identified the need to establish five waste sorting stations across Aabbassiyeh and neighboring areas and to conduct awareness campaigns, worker training, and specialist support to improve collection and recycling practices.

However, the 2026 conflict significantly disrupted the municipality’s planned improvements to the solid waste management (SWM) sector. During the conflict, municipal efforts were redirected towards responding to the urgent needs of IDPs, while insecurity and restricted access to the area prevented the implementation of the planned sorting facility upgrades and other SWM activities. At the same time, the influx of IDPs resulted in a substantial increase in waste generation, placing additional pressure on the municipality’s already overstretched waste management system and further constraining its capacity to deliver effective services.

In this context, UNDP aims to support the SWM sector in Aabbassiyeh by upscaling the Aabbassiyeh Sorting Facility, improving waste collection and recycling systems, and developing a comprehensive SWM plan covering the short, medium, and long term.

Under the same framework, UNDP is seeking the services of a qualified Consultant to develop a comprehensive SWM plan; conduct a desk review to identify existing municipal capacities and resources related to SWM; assess the current operations of the Aabbassiyeh Sorting Facility; validate medium- and long-term equipment needs; and co-design a sustainable business model and solid waste management plan with the municipality. The plan will be structured around:

• Short-term priorities: addressing operational issues and critical gaps, such as capacity-building and staffing.
• Medium-term priorities: enhancing capacity and operational efficiency.
• Long-term priorities: advancing recycling and revenue generation in close coordination with the UNDP technical team and the South engineers.

The consultancy will also provide capacity-building support to municipal staff and facility workers to strengthen technical and operational aspects and ensure sustainable operations. This phase will establish the foundation for subsequent technical assistance, capacity-building, and equipment provision activities, ensuring that the project is implemented on a solid, evidence-based, and sustainable footing.

OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of the consultancy is to strengthen Aabbassiyeh’s solid waste management system by developing an efficient work plan for the SWM sector, restoring and enhancing the operational capacity of the sorting facility, and strengthening institutional and technical capacities to improve waste collection, sorting, and recycling practices.

The consultancy aims to support the transformation of the sorting facility into an efficient, well-managed hub for recycling and waste diversion while reducing the environmental and public health risks associated with improper waste disposal.

A Consultant/Specialist will be hired to assess the sorting facility’s operations; identify the medium- and long-term equipment needs required to improve its performance; develop a comprehensive SWM plan for the municipality; redesign operational and administrative systems; and strengthen the capacity of municipal staff and facility workers through targeted training and practical operational tools.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Conduct a technical and operational assessment of the sorting facility and recommend priority upgrades for the short, medium, and long term.
2. Identify the medium- and long-term equipment needs required to restore and optimize functionality.
3. Conduct a comprehensive feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the efficiency and financial viability of the sorting facility and provide evidence-based recommendations for resource allocation.
4. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure effective and transparent facility management.
5. Strengthen institutional capacity by delivering capacity-building training and providing recommendations for workforce training and skills development.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Consultant will conduct a comprehensive technical assessment and provide tailored support to Aabbassiyeh Municipality in close coordination with the UNDP South team. The scope of work includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Engage in comprehensive stakeholder consultations and conduct a thorough field assessment to obtain a clear understanding of the current operations of the Aabbassiyeh Sorting Facility.

This will involve meetings with municipal representatives, including members of the municipal environmental committee, facility staff, local environmental NGOs, relevant ministries, the Union of Municipalities, private waste collectors, and any other stakeholders involved in waste management in Aabbassiyeh.

The aim of these consultations is to assess current municipal capacity and operations, the current state of the existing facility in Aabbassiyeh, and potential medium- and long-term strategies to enhance solid waste management and recycling practices within the municipality.

Conduct a comprehensive feasibility study, Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), SWM plan, and data analysis to evaluate the efficiency and performance of the Aabbassiyeh Sorting Facility.

The study will analyze waste quantities, characterization, and values using data collected from truck weigh scales and other operational records; identify existing gaps and bottlenecks; and provide evidence-based recommendations for the optimal allocation of resources and equipment.

The study will also include a calculation note on waste tonnage and volume distribution per waste stream, detailing the proportions of recyclables, organic waste, and rejects. In addition, the Consultant will assess the planned composting facility to be established in Aabbassiyeh, including its location, design, operational feasibility, and integration within the overall solid waste management system.

A detailed cost-benefit analysis shall be provided reflecting the overall economic viability and long-term value. This analysis must quantify both the total expected costs—capital, operational, and maintenance—and the monetized benefits, such as efficiency gains, risk reduction, and revenue generation, over the defined project lifecycle.

The study should also include key financial metrics, such as Net Present Value (NPV) and the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), enabling a comparison between the required investment and the total return, reflecting the highest value for money and meeting the strategic objectives.

The proposed SWM plan should outline a phased approach for improving facility performance and waste-processing efficiency:

• Phase 1 – Short Term: Focus on increasing sorting at source to achieve a minimum target of 30% sorting efficiency. This shall include, but not be limited to, enhancing public participation, improving the delivery of recyclables to collection points, and implementing targeted capacity-building activities for municipal staff and workers.

This phase will also prioritize stakeholder consultations and field assessments, including an assessment of current municipal waste collection routes, schedules, and truck capacities to optimize waste delivery to the facility; preparation of a list of the equipment required to enhance the sorting initiative and municipal capacity; and the design of an updated operational workflow to improve current facility performance.

Activities under this phase will lay the groundwork for immediate improvements, promote source separation, and strengthen the municipality’s capacity to manage and monitor solid waste operations effectively.

The Consultant shall provide guidance related to EIA compliance for the municipality, including the preparation of a list of the documents, forms, and procedural steps required under the Ministry of Environment’s EIA framework.

• Phase 2 – Medium Term: Aim to achieve a minimum of 70% sorting efficiency through the validation and integration of additional equipment, process optimization, and continued training to strengthen operational capacity.

This phase should include recommendations on the most appropriate composting method for Aabbassiyeh, supported by technical, environmental, and financial justification and taking into consideration the technologies recommended by the Ministry of Environment.

The recommendation should also be based on an assessment of the operational feasibility, space requirements, infrastructure needs, and expected compost-output quality of the selected method. The recommendations should be aligned and discussed with the UNDP composting project in Aabbassiyeh.

• Phase 3 – Long Term: Target up to 90% sorting efficiency, ensuring that the facility becomes capable of processing all waste streams and transitioning effectively to the composting phase.

This phased analysis will form the foundation for all subsequent interventions, ensuring that the proposed improvements are practical, cost-effective, and aligned with the municipality’s long-term waste management vision.

Design a revised operational workflow for the Aabbassiyeh Sorting Facility based on the findings of the field assessment.

This workflow will detail all steps involved in the collection, sorting, and processing of recyclables and will include clear reporting procedures to ensure consistency and accountability at each stage.

The Consultant shall develop templates, charts, and forms for daily operations and record-keeping and recommend adjustments to the physical arrangement of equipment and workspace to optimize efficiency and ensure worker safety.

The Consultant shall also conduct practical, hands-on training sessions for facility management and operations staff to ensure the proper implementation of the workflow and reporting system.

Support the municipality in updating and strengthening the administrative structure of the Aabbassiyeh Sorting Facility.

The Consultant shall develop detailed job descriptions for all staff positions, clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines to enhance operational clarity and accountability.

The Consultant shall conduct targeted training sessions to ensure that all personnel understand their functions within the workflow and how their roles contribute to the facility’s overall efficiency and the sustainability of its operations.

Strengthen worker safety and build the capacity of all personnel involved in waste collection, sorting, and handling operations.

The Consultant shall provide targeted training sessions on occupational health and safety, safe equipment operation, the proper use of protective gear, and general workplace safety standards.

These training sessions aim to enhance staff knowledge and skills, reduce the risk of accidents, and promote a strong safety culture within the facility’s operations. They shall ensure gender-sensitive environments and equitable safety protocols for all facility workers, including women, informal waste pickers, and other vulnerable groups.

Provide additional technical support to ensure the long-term sustainability of solid waste management operations.

The Consultant shall develop practical guidelines, checklists, and tools for monitoring operations, equipment maintenance, and workflow compliance.

Recommendations for ongoing capacity-building initiatives and community engagement activities, such as source-separation awareness campaigns, shall also be provided to strengthen municipal waste management practices beyond the consultancy period.

Community engagement activities shall be inclusive and gender-responsive, ensuring the active participation of women’s groups and vulnerable populations in source-separation awareness campaigns.

Note: All activities mentioned above shall be implemented in accordance with applicable Lebanese legislation and relevant Ministry of Environment guidelines and strategies, including Law No. 80/2018 on Integrated Solid Waste Management, applicable national SWM policies and strategies, and relevant Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements and procedures.

PROPOSED METHODOLOGY

The Consultant shall submit a proposed methodology, work plan, and timetable that take into account all the above factors. The Consultant shall identify all methods and tools to be used, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of the targeted community and the available resources.

REPORTING

The Consultant shall submit all assessments and progress reports, including the following annexes:

The consultant shall make sure to send all Assessments and Progress Reports including the following
annexes: 1) assessment reports, 2) feasibility study 3) Operational Workflow 4) Administrative
Structure 5) schedule of trainings, 6) trainings materials, 7) Photos/Screenshots, 8) attendance sheets,
9) training evaluation sheets 10) Progress report.

WORK PLAN

A preliminary proposed project work plan is required as part of the proposal, covering all activities described in Section 3. A Gantt chart showing a detailed list of tasks, the duration and schedule of each task, and the selected resources for each task shall be included in the bid.

Upon contract award, UNDP shall be provided with a revised project work plan within two weeks of the contract signature. Once approved, the revised plan shall be adopted and shall form the basis for project evaluation and monitoring.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

All deliverables shall be submitted in one original hard copy and one electronic soft copy, preferably in Microsoft Word format, together with the original Excel sheets containing active formulas, where applicable.

Deliverable 1: Twenty (20) working days

1.1 Submission of an inception report, including the consultancy timetable, final proposal, and detailed methodology for conducting the technical assessment.

1.2 Completion of stakeholder consultations and the field assessment, including meetings with municipal representatives, sorting facility staff, the municipality’s local environmental committee, NGOs, relevant ministries, the Union of Municipalities, private waste collectors, and other key SWM stakeholders.

A comprehensive Field Assessment Report shall be submitted outlining the current state of the facility and the proposed short-, medium-, and long-term improvement strategies.

1.3 Delivery of a comprehensive Feasibility Study, Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), and SWM Plan analyzing waste quantities, values, and operational efficiency based on field data and truck weigh-scale records.

The report shall include:

• A detailed calculation note on waste tonnage and composition.
• An assessment of the planned composting facility.
• A phased improvement plan divided into three phases, with evidence-based recommendations for resource allocation, facility capacity and needs, operational optimization, and integration within the overall solid waste management system.

The phased improvement plan shall also include the validation and prioritization of the medium- and long-term equipment requirements needed to enhance the sorting initiative and municipal capacity, supported by technical justifications.

The Consultant shall also provide guidance related to EIA compliance for the municipality, highlighting the documents, forms, and procedural steps required under the Ministry of Environment’s EIA framework.

Deliverable 2: Eight (8) working days

2.1 Design and submission of a revised operational workflow, including process maps for the collection, sorting, and processing of recyclables, reporting procedures, and documentation templates.

2.2 Delivery of a training programme for sorting facility staff, municipal focal points, and volunteers from the Aabbassiyeh community covering the newly designed workflow, reporting tools, and optimized equipment arrangements.

2.3 Development of an updated administrative structure with clear job descriptions for all staff roles, accompanied by capacity-building training sessions for management and staff on responsibilities, reporting lines, and operational efficiency.

2.4 Conduct of worker safety and occupational health training, including safe equipment operation, protective gear use, and workplace safety standards. Training materials, evaluation forms, and signed attendance sheets shall be submitted as annexes.

2.5 Submission of practical tools and guidelines, including checklists, reporting templates, and equipment maintenance procedures, to support sustainable municipal operations and compliance.

2.6 Submission of a final consultancy report consolidating all field findings, delivered training, tools, and strategic SWM recommendations. The report shall also include proposals for ongoing capacity-building and community engagement initiatives, such as a source-separation awareness campaign.

REPORT VALIDATION MODALITIES

UNDP will review and approve the submitted deliverables within five to seven working days of submission.

The Consultant shall address UNDP’s comments and resubmit the revised deliverables within an agreed timeframe.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

• The Consultant will work under the supervision of the UNDP South Area Manager or their designated representative.
• UNDP will facilitate coordination with relevant stakeholders and provide available background documentation.
• All transportation and logistical costs related to the assignment shall be borne by the Consultant and shall be considered inclusive in the consultancy fee.

DURATION OF WORK

The consultancy will have a total duration of two months from the date of contract signature, without exceeding a total of 28 working days.

DUTY STATION

The Consultant will be based in Aabbassiyeh, South Lebanon, with field visits to the sorting facility and other related sites, as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Environmental sciences, Engineering (Environmental, Civil, Mechanical etc…), Health Management, Social Sciences, or similar.
• Experience: Minimum of Five (5) years of professional experience in solid waste management
  consultancy field.
• Language: Fluency in English and Arabic (both oral and written).

“The Personnel will be covered with Health insurance and Personal accident insurance; the fees shall be deducted from personnel's monthly payment”.