Department: Acopian Center for the Environment (ACE)

Contract type: Service contract

Job location: Yerevan, the capital of the Republic of Armenia

Application deadline: 04/16/2025

Program background

Waste Policy Armenia is a 4-year Program aimed at improving Armenia’s waste management sectorcapacity to implement more environmentally sound waste management practices through:

1. Providing technical assistance to RA Government in developing and adopting Extended ProducerResponsibility (EPR) legislation for several specific waste streams in line with EU Waste legislationand best practices (Program Component 1);
2. Providing technical assistance to RA Government in developing a national model on waste sourceseparation and introducing it as a system in a pilot municipality (Program Component 2);
3. Building sector capacities to implement Component 1 and Component 2, as well as to scale up theachieved results (Program Component 3).

The Program supports the implementation of several provisions set in the Comprehensive and EnhancedPartnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between EU and RA, as well as several provisions regarding“Waste management strategy and its implementation action plan” of the RA Government Program for2021-2026.

The Program’s principal partners and beneficiaries are the RA Ministry of Environment (MoE), RAMinistry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (MTAI), and a target municipality to be selectedfrom Kotayk or Gegharkunik provinces.

Objective

To strengthen the advocacy and lobby efforts around the development and adoption of ExtendedProducer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, with a particular focus on building political support amongparliamentarians, key ministries, and other relevant stakeholders in government.

Scope of work and responsibilities

High-Level Political Advocacy

• Develop and implement an advocacy roadmap for EPR adoption, aligned with WPA objectivesand timelines.
• Lead WPA’s targeted engagement with members of the National Assembly, especially relevantstanding committees (e.g., Environment, Economic Affairs).
• Facilitate one-on-one or small group briefings with key MPs and advisors to build support forEPR reform.
• Identify and cultivate champions within parliament who can publicly and politically back the EPRagenda.
• Coordinate with relevant ministries (MoE, MTAI, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy, MoJ)to ensure political coherence and inter-ministerial alignment.
• Coordinate with the EU Delegation, Sida, and other international partners to align diplomaticpressure in favor of EPR legislation.
• Where applicable, support diplomatic briefings or technical missions by donors or expertsengaging with high-level government actors.

Legislative Process Engagement

• Participate in or support organization of expert hearings, committee consultations, andparliamentary workshops on EPR.
• Support WPA legal team and senior advisors with legislative input, positioning the EPRframework as a high-impact policy reform aligned with CEPA and EU integration goals.
• Facilitate institutional follow-up with parliamentary structures after official submission of thedraft law.
• Advise WPA Program Manager and stakeholder engagement team on political timing,sensitivities, and messaging. 
• Work with WPA Capacity Building Expert and Stakeholder Engagement Expert to identifycapacity building needs for relevant stakeholders
• Monitor the legislative and political landscape and provide early warnings of risks oropportunities related to EPR adoption.
• Provide rapid response recommendations if the EPR law faces political resistance or delays.

Reporting and Documentation

• Maintain a detailed log of advocacy actions, political stakeholder feedback, and emerging issues.
• Contribute to WPA reporting through concise updates on advocacy milestones, politicaldynamics, and forward-looking recommendations.

Deliverables

• Advocacy roadmap for EPR adoption. A comprehensive document that outlines the stakeholdermapping and strategic approach to advocating for EPR legislation, including key milestones,timelines, and the identification of priority stakeholders (2-3 pages max)
• Monthly brief reports on advocacy activities.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in political science, public policy, law, or related field.
• Proven track record in advocacy, lobbying, or government relations, ideally within Armenia’spublic policy or environmental sectors.
• Strong understanding of Armenian legislative process and institutional landscape.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Armenian and English.
• Experience working with or advising government institutions, parliament, or donor-fundedprojects is an asset.
• Ability to build trust-based relationships and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Integrity and ethical standards.

Additional Information

How to apply:  A Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae should be submitted here. 

AUA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active non-discrimination program within the institution.

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