Ecosystem Specialist- PREP

Job Title: Ecosystem Specialist

Project: Plastics Recycling Program in Southern Nigeria

Number of Positions: 1

Location: Kano

Reports to: Senior Technical Manager

About TechnoServe:

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of businesses and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics, and increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they can access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Program Overview:

Nigeria’s 200 million population generates an estimated 32 million metric tons of waste annually, with plastic accounting for 2.5 million metric tons. The Plastics Recycling Program in Southern Nigeria (PReP), started as the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Alliance Program (NPSAP), a two-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Coca-Cola Foundation. However, in year 2, USAID pulled out and the project transitioned to PReP with a revised scope of work. Building on the successes of PReP, the project is expanding to PReP 2.0, now encompassing an additional location: Kano State. The objective of the project is to reduce plastic waste by increasing the volume and quality of recycled PET plastics. This objective will be achieved through inclusive, market-driven interventions along the value chain and an enabling environment that will improve the competitiveness, sustainability, and profitability of collectors, aggregators, and recyclers.

Job Summary:

The Ecosystem Specialist will play a pivotal role in strengthening the enabling environment for plastic recycling in Kano State and Nigeria at large. Working closely with the Senior Technical Manager, the Ecosystem Specialist will support the programme’s efforts to build partnerships, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and address systemic barriers within the recycling and waste management ecosystem. The role involves conducting research, stakeholder mapping, and policy engagement to ensure that collectors, aggregators, and other value chain actors receive sustainable ecosystem support for business growth and impact.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Support the Senior Technical Manager in developing and implementing strategies to strengthen the plastic recycling ecosystem in Kano and other project locations (Lagos and Anambra states).
• Assist in conducting a deep dive market assessment in Kano, including data collection, stakeholder mapping, and analysis of regulatory, social, environmental, and economic dynamics.
• Facilitate engagement with government agencies, private sector players, civil society organizations, and other ecosystem stakeholders to promote collaboration and policy dialogue.
• Identify barriers and opportunities within the recycling value chain and propose practical solutions to enhance the enabling environment for waste collectors and aggregators.
• Track relevant government policies, regulations, and initiatives that affect the plastic recycling sector, and provide timely updates and recommendations to the programme team.
• Coordinate knowledge-sharing sessions, workshops, and capacity-building activities to strengthen ecosystem collaboration and awareness.
• Support monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on ecosystem-related activities, ensuring alignment with programme goals and donor requirements.
• Develop briefs, reports, and presentations on ecosystem insights and recommendations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide continuous ecosystem support to project beneficiaries (collectors and aggregators) by connecting them to relevant market opportunities, networks, and policy initiatives.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree/HND in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Economics, Development Studies, Business Administration, Public Policy, or a related field, with at least 3 years’ relevant professional experience in waste management, recycling, sustainability, policy engagement, or related sectors. Alternatively, a master’s degree with 1 year’s experience
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement and coordination with government, private sector, and civil society.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with proven ability to conduct market assessments and policy analysis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in donor-funded projects or development programmes.
• Familiarity with Nigeria’s waste management, plastic recycling, or environmental sustainability sector.
• Proven track record of supporting ecosystem-strengthening interventions.
• Experience working in Northern Nigeria, with strong networks in Kano State.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.

Required Languages: Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English. Proficiency in the local languages of Kano State is highly desirable.

Travel: At least 40% with a willingness to travel to these communities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experienced in writing excellent reports.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills.
• Proven skills with Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Knowledge of the use of Comcare, and KoBoCollect will be an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate with various stakeholders and communicate findings effectively.
• Ability to engage and advise a broad range of stakeholders, including senior management of private sector companies, donor representatives, and others;
• Knowledge of relevant environmental regulations and policies.
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis, digital training delivery, and report writing.
• Demonstrated experience in report writing.
• Experience in the waste management or recycling sector.

Supervisory Responsibilities – None

Closing Statements:

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability, and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at [email protected] or call +1 202 785 4515.