Composting and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Technical Expert

Fixed term contract

Yerevan

10 November 2026

Employment term Civil contract

Category Technical support

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Job description:

Project: Organics Mobilized: Accelerating Social Transformation towards a Circular Bioeconomy

Start Date: November 2026

End Date: August 2028

Type: Service contract

Project Background

The Organics Mobilized: Accelerating Social Transformation towards a Circular Bioeconomy project supports Armenia’s transition toward sustainable organic waste and biomass management through integrated circular economy approaches. The project is implemented by the American University of Armenia (AUA), through the Acopian Center for the Environment, in partnership with UNDP Armenia, with funding from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Food and Nutrition Challenge, a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) initiative.

The project aims to reduce methane and other climate pollutant emissions from the organic waste sector by strengthening national and municipal capacities, improving source separation and valorization of organic waste, piloting decentralized circular bioeconomy solutions, promoting sustainable cold-chain technologies, and facilitating behavioral and institutional transformation through Living Labs and Learning Communities.

Objective

To provide specialized technical expertise on composting and anaerobic digestion (biogas) technologies, supporting the project team in identifying suitable technological options, defining technical requirements for equipment procurement, advising on compost and digestate quality and safe use and contributing technical expertise to investment promotion and policy advocacy. The expert will complement the work of the Biowaste Systems Specialist by focusing on technology-specific advice and technical inputs rather than leading comprehensive municipal biowaste assessments or the overall design of biowaste management systems.

Job responsibilities

Scope of Work and Responsibilities

Provide technical advice on composting and anaerobic digestion technologies suitable for the project’s pilot regions of Lori, Kotayk, and Gegharkunik.
Contribute to market research on relevant technologies, equipment suppliers, costs, and potential applications in Armenia.
Develop and review technical specifications and Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the composting and biogas equipment and support in procurement processes.
Monitor the operation and performance of installed composting and anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities.
Advise AUA and UNDP on the design and development of the Living Lab model, including identifying key information to gather from stakeholders, preparing guiding questions for stakeholder discussions in the three pilot regions, and advising on the Living Labs’ development and implementation.
Coordinate with the Biowaste Systems Specialist to align technology-specific recommendations with the Living Labs’ biowaste management protocols and operational models.
Review relevant policies, technical guidance, and regulatory developments and recommend measures to support the adoption and scaling up of composting and biogas solutions.
Support the development of training modules on composting and anaerobic digestion (AD) and deliver training sessions for relevant stakeholders.

Support from AUA

The expert will work under the supervision of the Project Manager and in close coordination with AUA, UNDP Armenia, the Biowaste Systems Specialist, the project’s financial expert, and other relevant technical consultants and stakeholders.

Expected Deliverables

Deliverables will be agreed with the Project Manager according to the project work plan and may include:

Technical recommendations on composting and biogas technology options for the selected pilot regions.
Technical specifications and Terms of Reference (ToRs) developed for the procurement of composting and biogas equipment and related tools.
Technical contributions to compost and digestate quality requirements and safe-use guidance.
Technical materials and expert input for capacity-building activities.

The timing, format, and level of detail of each deliverable will be agreed with the Project Manager in accordance with the project work plan.

Required qualifications

Advanced university degree in Environmental Engineering, Waste Management, Environmental Science, Renewable Energy, Bioenergy, or a related technical field.
At least five years of relevant professional experience in composting, anaerobic digestion, biogas production, organic waste treatment, or related technologies.
Demonstrated technical knowledge of composting and/or anaerobic digestion technologies.
Experience preparing or reviewing technical specifications, equipment requirements, procurement ToRs, or technical assessments for environmental or bioenergy infrastructure.
Excellent written and spoken Armenian and English.

Additional information

Please submit your CV and Cover letter (with the names of three referees) via AUA career platform here.

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