AGA KHAN FOUNDATION (INDIA)
POSITION DESCRIPTION
|
Position Name:
|
Technical Specialist - SWM & Environmental Sustainability (Localising Waste Solutions and Livelihood Enhancement- A Decentralised Solid Waste Management Initiative in Patna)
|
|
Position Location:
|
Patna
|
|
Reporting To:
|
Team Leader (Localising Waste Solutions and Livelihood Enhancement)
|
|
Position Tenure:
|
Full-Time employment contract up to January 2029, renewable as per program funding and need
|
About the Aga Khan Foundation (India)
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)is a leading global development organization working to tackle the root causes of poverty. For almost 50 years, AKF has helped create strong community institutions that support sustainable, locally driven initiatives to improve the lives of millions of people. AKF's programs aim to ensure that infants have the best possible start in life, families are healthy and wellnourished, children and young people can access quality learning opportunities and grow to fulfil their potential, and adults can develop future-facing skills so they can gain employment or start their own businesses. We believe that women and young girls should not be limited in their choices or opportunities and are dedicated to fostering inclusive communities in which all voices are heard and valued. As our climate changes, we are working with the communities we serve, and especially farmers, to adapt to its challenges and opportunities and contribute to a healthy planet. But the issues we face are evolving rapidly. To meet them, we use innovation to empower communities to develop new solutions that can be quickly tested and refined, ensuring they are relevant, feasible and sustainable. Through partnerships with local communities, government agencies and programs, we are building a future where we all thrive together.
AKF primarily works across seven thematic areas - agriculture, building community resilience to climate change, work and enterprise, education, early childhood development, WASH,health and nutrition, and strengthening community institutions to sustain and lead development interventions.
AKF started its operations in India in 1978 and implements programs in both rural and urban areas across four states (Bihar, Delhi, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh). AKF's current interventions are under implementation across 1635 villages and 93 urban wards, benefiting 3.9 million people, 2/3rd of whom are women.
Project Details
The project aims to strengthen sustainable Solid Waste Management (SWM) systems in selected Ganga wards through community participation, behavior change, and decentralized waste management practices. It promotes household-level waste segregation, reduction of open dumping, and improved recovery and processing of recyclable and organic waste in alignment with the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban framework. A key dimension of the project is strengthening livelihoods of sanitation workers and informal waste pickers by supporting safer working conditions, improved income opportunities, and greater inclusion in the municipal waste management system. The project will implement community awareness campaigns, behavior change communication, and capacity-building activities to encourage responsible waste handling practices. Special emphasis will be placed on mobilizing households, bulk waste generators, and community groups to adopt segregation and support local waste management systems. The project also seeks to strengthen linkages between Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), sanitation workers, and communities to ensure efficient service delivery and environmental sustainability. Through targeted Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and community outreach activities, the project aims to foster long-term behavioral change and improve urban sanitation outcomes.
Position Summary
The Technical Specialist - Solid Waste Management (SWM) & Environmental Sustainability will provide specialised environmental oversight, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive climate-resilient and river-protective outcomes for the decentralised solid waste management programme across the 31 Ganga wards of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Danapur Nagar Parishad. The position will report to the Team Leader (Localising Waste Solutions and Livelihood Enhancement).
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure full compliance of all project interventions with Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, solid waste management guidelines of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), National Mission for Clean Ganga, Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and Urban Development and Housing Department, Government of Bihar.
- Provide technical oversight for environmentally safe operation of MRFs, composting units, transfer stations, bio-composters, and Clean Ghats facilities.
- Integrate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanisms by engaging Producer Importers and Brand Owners, Producer Responsibility Organisations, and authorised recyclers for plastic waste recovery and recycling.
- Support authorisation and compliance processes for waste processing sites with BSPCB, including validation of compost quality and emissions monitoring.
- Support ULBs (PMC and Danapur) in achieving SBM-U 2.0 and Namami Gange targets, including 100% source segregation, waste processing, Garbage Free City (GFC) certification, and prevention of solid waste discharge into the river Ganga and drains.
- Promote circular economy practices, climate resilience, and reduction of river pollution through decentralised waste management models.
- Contribute to improved Swachh Survekshan rankings and Ganga Town Assessment Framework parameters for the targeted Ganga wards.
- Monitor and document the reduced GHG emissions and landfill-bound mixed waste through decentralised processing systems.
- Support documentation, monitoring, and reporting for SBM-U 2.0, GFC certification, CPCB EPR compliance, and Namami Gange reporting frameworks.
- Contribute to baseline, endline, and periodic environmental assessments (waste characterisation, leachate/groundwater monitoring, GHG estimation).
- Ensure updated GIS profiles of the programme area, depicting progress of work as this is undertaken.
- Ensure documentation of programme implementation through photo-documentation (particularly before and after intervention photo-documentation).
- Prepare technical notes, policy briefs, and knowledge products on the viability of decentralised models in reducing landfill dependency and river pollution.
- Build capacity of ULB staff, sanitation workers, waste pickers, and SHGs on environmentally sustainable SWM practices.
- Facilitate convergence with BSPCB, NMCG, and other environmental agencies for joint monitoring and knowledge sharing.
- Promote inclusion of waste pickers and SHGs in circular economy activities to enhance both environmental and livelihood outcomes.
Qualifications and Skills Required
- Post Graduate degree in Environmental Studies, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Development Studies, or any other relevant discipline.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in community mobilization, field coordination, or implementation of development projects, preferably in urban sanitation, solid waste management, WASH, or livelihood programs.
- Familiarity with government programmes such as Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban/Rural), livelihood missions, or urban development initiatives is desirable. Experience working with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), community-based institutions, SHGs, or informal worker groups will be an added advantage.
- Ability to work independently in field conditions while maintaining regular coordination with the project team. Ability to facilitate group discussions, training sessions, and community meetings effectively.
- Practical understanding of behaviour change communication (BCC) and community mobilisation approaches. Demonstrated experience inconducting community meetings, awareness campaigns, training sessions, and participatory field activities.
- Willingness to travel frequently within assigned wards/ULBs and work closely with communities at the grassroots level. This position will require extensive field travel (approximately 70- 80%) within the designated wards/clusters.
- Basic understanding of data collection, field reporting, and documentation processes. Basic understanding on usages of MS Suite (MS Office, MS Excel, PowerPoint Presentation, Outlook, and MS Teams). Use of GIS and mapping tools will be an advantage.
- Ability to multitask and work well with multiple stakeholders, internal and external.
- Ambitious, energetic, and hard-working professional, committed to improving lives among India’s most marginalised communities. Must share a sense of urgency about development.
- Willingness to travel extensively in the project area.
- Good understanding of the policy landscape and government frameworks.
- Strong leadership skills, with a passion for working for the most vulnerable and creating a positive impact.
- Should be capable of meeting short deadlines and producing quality materials with a fast turnaround.
How to apply
Please apply by 23rd August 2026 using the link below –
The Aga Khan Development Network is an international group of private, non-denominational development agencies and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities. Visit us at www.akdn.org.
The Aga Khan Foundation is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and will strive to ensure that all job applicants, staff, and volunteers, do not suffer negative discrimination on the basis of their religion, race, caste, color, nationality, social class, sex, place of birth, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, HIV status, age, etc. or any combination of these.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. AKF also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. You can find out more about this scheme on this link:https://misconduct-disclosure-scheme.org.