Training Material Development Support – Solid and Plastic Waste Management

Host entity: UNEP India

Application deadline: 22/09/2026

Mission and objectives

UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

For five decades, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been a leading advocate for the environment, a steadfast partner and a trusted adviser with a mission to inform, enable and inspire nations and peoples to improve their quality of life – without compromising that of future generations.

UNEP monitors the state and health of the planet, ensures that science remains at the centre of decision-making processes, and that environmental rule of law continues to underpin global environmental governance.

Together with its partners, UNEP has made significant progress, yet there is no denying that today, environmental challenges have reached unprecedented levels. Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production have led to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.

The science is clear: human health, prosperity, equity and peace are all under threat. We must urgently transform our economies and societies – and our relationship with nature.

UNEP is here to lead this transformation with its 193 Member States, and in partnership with other
UN agencies and stakeholders. With its experience, expertise, dynamic programmes and forward-thinking strategy, and with its dedicated staff, UNEP is uniquely positioned to be your partner in addressing and reversing the triple planetary crisis.

As UNEP relies on voluntary contributions for 95 per cent of the funding, the work is made possible by partners who fund and champion its mission.

Assignment context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

The UNEP India Country Office works with national and local authorities, civil society, other United Nations organizations, research institutions and the private sector to support implementation of environmental priorities in India.

Waste management is an important component of UNEP’s work on pollution prevention and circularity. UNEP India supports awareness generation and capacity-building for government officials, urban local bodies, institutions, elected representatives, communities and other stakeholders involved in waste management.
Solid waste management encompasses several waste streams and management practices, including plastic waste management. Effective capacity-building requires technically sound information to be converted into structured, concise and audience-appropriate learning material.

UNEP India Country Office is therefore looking to engage a UN Volunteer with an environmental academic background and an interest in solid waste and plastic waste management to support preparation of technical training materials.

The assignment will give equal emphasis to solid waste management and plastic waste management, while addressing plastic waste management within the broader solid waste management context wherever appropriate.

Task description

Under the guidance of the Assistant Programme Officer, UNEP India Country Office, the Online Volunteer will:

• Assist in reviewing relevant technical documents, regulations, guidelines, reports and other reference materials for preparation of training content.
• Support compilation and organization of technically relevant information on solid waste management and plastic waste management.
• Assist in preparing draft content for training presentations and learning materials based on technical guidance provided by UNEP.
• Support simplification of technical information into clear and concise learning points suitable for different stakeholder groups.
• Assist in preparation of presentation slides, facilitator notes, background notes, exercises, checklists, FAQs, handouts and other supporting training material.
• Support development of practical examples, case illustrations and exercises that can help explain waste-management concepts during training programmes.
• Assist in adapting training material for audiences such as government officials, urban local bodies, elected representatives, institutions, bulk waste generators, community organizations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Assist in reviewing draft training materials for technical consistency, completeness and appropriate referencing.
• Support verification of technical information against the relevant source documents.
• Assist in incorporating comments and technical feedback provided by UNEP into subsequent versions of training materials.
• Support organization of the training materials into a structured package that can be used and adapted for capacity-building activities.

The Online Volunteer will support preparation of training materials under UNEP guidance and will not be expected to independently formulate UNEP policy positions, provide official legal interpretations or act as the final technical authority for the materials.

During the three-month assignment, the volunteer is expected to contribute to one consolidated training-material package on solid waste management and plastic waste management, comprising approximately:

1. Core Training Material
- A structured training package comprising approximately 50–60 presentation slides in total, organized into modules covering: key aspects of solid waste management; and key aspects of plastic waste management. The two areas will receive broadly equal emphasis, while avoiding unnecessary duplication where plastic waste management forms part of the broader solid waste management framework.

2. Supporting Training Material
Approximately 5–6 supporting learning products, which may include: facilitator or speaker notes; participant handouts; practical checklists; FAQs; short exercises or discussion activities; simple case illustrations.

3. Technical Reference Compilation
- A consolidated list of principal regulations, guidelines, reports, technical documents and other sources used in preparation of the training material.

4. Adaptation Support
- Support adaptation of selected sections of the core training package for up to 2 specific stakeholder groups, based on guidance provided by UNEP.

The exact topics, audience, and sequencing of modules will be agreed with the supervisor at the beginning of the assignment.

All technical material will be reviewed and cleared by UNEP before use.

Skills and experience

Applicants must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:
a) Be enrolled in a university degree programme, minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent, preferably in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Waste Management, Sustainability, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Policy or a closely related field; or
b) Have completed a university degree, preferably in one of the above or a closely related field.

Applicants should:
• Have a good academic understanding of environmental issues.
• Have good research, writing and analytical skills.
• Be able to understand technical environmental information and present it in simple and structured language.
• Be comfortable reviewing technical reports, regulations, guidance documents and environmental literature.
• Be proficient in standard word-processing and presentation software.
• Have good attention to detail, including referencing and checking source information.
• Have good written and verbal communication skills.

Academic exposure, coursework, research or demonstrated interest in solid waste management and/or plastic waste management will be strongly preferred.

Applicants to the UNV programme are not required to have prior professional work experience.

Relevant university coursework, research projects, dissertations, internships, volunteering or academic assignments relating to solid waste management, plastic waste management, recycling, circular economy, resource efficiency or related environmental subjects will be considered an asset.

Previous experience or interest in developing training, educational or capacity-building material will also be considered an asset.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.