Expert in Circular Economy Policy and Business Development

Client of United Nation careers

Background The Arab region faces significant environmental and socio-economic challenges that hinder its transition to a circular economy. Continued reliance on linear economic models contributes to resource depletion, environmental degradation, and social inequities, while high unemployment, particularly among women and youth, exacerbates vulnerabilities across the region. To address these challenges, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is implementing the project Better Policies for Accelerated Transition to Circular Economy and Enhanced Climate Action in Arab States. The project aims to accelerate the shift toward circularity by strengthening enabling policy frameworks and building institutional and human capacities in three target countries: Lebanon, Morocco, and Oman. Recognizing the pivotal role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which constitute 80 90% of businesses in most Arab countries, the project focuses on empowering SMEs as key drivers of circular transformation. It supports policymakers, business support organizations (BSOs), and SMEs through a combination of policy development, technical assistance, and targeted capacity-building interventions. By strengthening policymakers capacities to design and implement coherent, evidence-based policies that support circular business models, the project seeks to foster an enabling environment in which SMEs can adopt and scale circular economy practices. To this end, it includes a series of national capacity-building workshops for policymakers, designed to enhance their ability to formulate and implement policies that promote circular economy adoption by SMEs. To support the design and delivery of these workshops, ESCWA seeks an Expert in Circular Economy Policy and Business Development to develop and implement targeted capacity-building programs for policymakers in Lebanon, Morocco, and Oman. Tasks - Duties and Responsibilities The expert will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Needs Assessment: Prepare a needs assessment form to be shared with focal points in the ministries of Lebanon, Morocco, and Oman to identify national priorities and capacity-building needs for policymakers.
• Content Development: Prepare capacity-building material in consultation with national counterparts and ESCWA.
• Capacity Building Delivery: Deliver six national capacity-building workshops for policymakers in the three target countries.