Organization Mission

Since 3rd November, 2011, ASCOA has been dedicated to improving the awareness of the local community on HIV/AIDS and its related stigma, promoting peace building in the society, fostering environmental protection and the fight against climate change, supporting children, and empowering women and girls in order to improve their socio-economic participation and boost their wellbeing. We envision a world free of HIV/AIDS, where people are neither stigmatized nor discriminated upon due to their HIV status; a world where women are empowered and children are protected; a world where peace reigns and people live in an environment free of pollution and global warming.

Context

ASCOA is collaborating with the Global Waste Cleaning Network (GWCN) on the application of the Integrated Waste Opportunity Cost (IWOC) metric developed by GWCN.

The purpose of this DOA is to engage six UN Volunteers to conduct independent research studies on such application.

Each volunteer will focus on a specific type of waste and its implications in a designated geographical context (country, region, or global).

ASCOA will coordinate logistics, communication, and volunteer support, while GWCN will provide technical guidance and access to IWOC documentation.

More about IWOC can be found on: https://gwcnweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GWCN-IWOC-White-Paper-22.5.25.pdf

Key Responsibilities

Each Online Volunteer will:

– Choose or be assigned a specific waste type (e.g., plastic, e-waste, food waste, hazardous waste, textile waste, construction waste).
– Focus on a specific geographical scope (e.g., national, regional, or global).
– Conduct a research study applying the IWOC metric to assess the economic, environmental, and social opportunity costs of mismanaged waste.
– Produce a publishable research paper under the guidance of GWCN and the Organization.
– Participate in monthly progress meetings and submit interim reports.

Required Skills and Experience

– Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Economics, Public Policy, Engineering, or a related field.
– Master’s or Doctorate degree is an asset.
– Strong research and analytical skills, particularly in environmental science, economics, or sustainability.
– Familiarity with waste management systems and circular economy principles.
– Ability to interpret and apply quantitative metrics such as IWOC (Integrated Waste Opportunity Cost).
– Excellent written communication skills for producing publishable research papers.
– Proficiency in data collection, literature review, and academic writing.