Department: Acopian Center for the Environment (ACE)

Contract type: Service contract

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

Application deadline: 06/01/2025

Description

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

1. Providing technical assistance to RA Government in developing and adopting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation for several specific waste streams in line with EU Waste legislation and best practices (Program Component 1);
2. Providing technical assistance to RA Government in developing a national model on waste source separation 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 the achieved results (Program Component 3). 

The Program supports the implementation of several provisions set in the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership 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 for 2021-2026.

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

 Objective

As part of its innovation and youth engagement agenda, WPA is organizing a hackathon focused on sustainable waste management. A draft concept is already in place, and WPA is seeking a Hackathon Lead to take over and guide the full organization and delivery of the event.

The selected Hackathon Lead will work in close collaboration with the WPA team, which includes a communications expert, stakeholder engagement expert, capacity building expert, waste management expert, junior expert, administrative assistant, program coordinator, and field officer, as well as additional junior staff who can support both strategic and on-the-ground tasks. This setup ensures the Hackathon Lead will have access to strong programmatic and logistical support throughout the process.

To lead the production and implementation of a hackathon on sustainable waste management, ensuring a high-quality, inclusive, and outcome-driven event that aligns with WPA program goals.

Responsibilities

• Finalize the Event Concept: Review and refine the existing hackathon concept, format, and timeline in coordination with the WPA team.
• Lead Event Production: Take full responsibility for organizing the hackathon, including pre-event planning, partner engagement, and on-site/online delivery.
• Develop Operational Tools: Prepare or adapt participant guides, challenge briefs, judging rubrics, mentor handbooks, and other necessary documentation.
• Engage Stakeholders: Identify and liaise with mentors, jury members, facilitators, sponsors, and other relevant actors.
• Arrange Logistics: Oversee venue arrangements, registration, equipment, communications tools, and team formation processes.
• Facilitate Implementation: Ensure smooth execution of the hackathon schedule, including mentoring sessions, progress checkpoints, and final pitches.
• Post-Event Wrap-Up: Support debriefing, feedback collection, and documentation of outcomes and lessons learned.

Expected Deliverables

• Finalized hackathon agenda and detailed implementation plan
• Participant and mentor engagement materials
• Logistical and operational setup completed in advance of the event
• Hackathon delivered in line with agreed format and timeline
• Post-event summary report including key outcomes, feedback, and recommendations

Requirements

• Proven experience leading or organizing hackathons, innovation competitions, or challenge-driven events is a must
• Strong skills in stakeholder coordination, logistics, and facilitation
• Ability to manage both strategic planning and hands-on implementation
• Familiarity with sustainability, environmental innovation, or circular economy is an asset
• Excellent communication and organizational abilities

Additional Information

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter here.

AUA is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to adhering to non-discrimination terms and principles across the institution.

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