Senior Consultant - Low carbon and climate resilient buildings and construction

Result of Service

Under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer of the Buildings and Cooling Unit, the Senior Consultant will support the implementation of UNEP’s portfolio on low-carbon and climate-resilient buildings, with a particular focus on Africa and South and South-East Asia. The consultant will provide technical, coordination, and project implementation support for country-level activities related to climate-resilient and resource-efficient buildings, circular construction materials, thermal comfort, and sustainable urban cooling solutions. More precisely the consultant will undertake the following activities: a. Project Coordination and Administrative Support • Support day-to-day coordination of project activities. • Assist in organizing meetings, workshops, webinars, consultations, and stakeholder engagements. • Prepare meeting agendas, minutes, presentations, and follow-up actions. • Support coordination with governments, implementing partners, consultants, and stakeholders. b. Project Implementation Support • Assist in monitoring implementation of project activities and work plans. • Track project deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements. • Support review , quality control and compilation of technical and administrative outputs from partners and consultants. • Maintain project documentation and filing systems. c. Research and Technical Support • Conduct background research on sustainable buildings, sustainable construction materials, embodied carbon, circularity, and climate resilience buildings. • Support preparation of technical briefs, concept notes, summaries, and knowledge products. • Assist in data collection and analysis related to buildings and cooling activities. d. Communications and Outreach • Assist in documenting project activities, events, and success stories. • Support outreach and stakeholder engagement efforts for Buildings and Cooling initiatives and GlobalABC activities. e. Stakeholder Engagement • Facilitate communication and coordination with national and local governments, partners, experts, and stakeholders. • Support engagement with GlobalABC working groups and other relevant networks and initiatives. • Assist in coordinating consultations and stakeholder workshops. f. Monitoring and Reporting • Support preparation of progress reports, activity reports, meeting summaries, and donor reporting inputs. • Assist in tracking project indicators and maintaining monitoring tools. • Support compilation of lessons learned, best practices, and project impacts. g. Event and Knowledge Management Support • Assist in organizing capacity-building activities, training sessions, and knowledge exchange events. • Support logistics and coordination for regional and international events. • Maintain databases, contact lists, and knowledge management resources.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

6 months (renewable)

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme recognizes the critical role of buildings and cooling in addressing climate change, energy efficiency, urban resilience, and sustainable development. The buildings and construction sector accounts for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, while access to sustainable cooling is increasingly essential for human health, food systems, economic productivity, and climate adaptation. UNEP supports countries and stakeholders in accelerating the transition toward low-emission, resource-efficient, climate-resilient buildings and sustainable cooling solutions through policy support, technical assistance, capacity building, partnerships, and knowledge development. As UNEP expands its portfolio of activities on low-carbon buildings, sustainable construction materials, passive and sustainable cooling, there is a growing need to strengthen project development, coordination, implementation, and stakeholder engagement across Africa and South and South-East Asia. UNEP is currently supporting a pipeline of country-level projects focused on advancing low-carbon and climate-resilient buildings, promoting circular and sustainably sourced building materials, improving thermal comfort, and accelerating sustainable cooling solutions in these regions. To support the effective delivery and expansion of these activities, UNEP seeks a senior expert on low-carbon and climate resilient buildings and construction to support the Buildings and Cooling Unit in project pipeline implementation, technical review and stakeholder engagement. The consultant will contribute to the design and implementation of projects and partnerships related to low-carbon buildings and cooling, while supporting coordination with implementing partners. A senior consultant with strong experience in project management, low-carbon buildings, sustainable construction materials, climate- resilient buildings, and thermal comfort, with excellent coordination, communication, and report drafting skills, is needed to support the UNEP Buildings and Cooling Unit in advancing these efforts.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in architecture, civil engineering, industrial or mechanical engineering, environmental science, economics, or a similar field preferably with relevant specialization in sustainable buildings and construction, resource efficiency, circularity, climate change, energy efficiency sector, and related field. At least 10 years of professional experience in project management and technical assistance at the national and/or city level on sustainable building and construction and related policies is required. Understanding of context Africa and South Asia related to sustainable buildings and construction, cooling, private sector value chain of building materials and multistakeholder consultation. Exposure to buildings and construction sectors, climate change, and energy efficiency policies are desirable. Knowledge of UN processes through exposure to working with UN agencies are desirable.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of additional UN languages is an advantage.

Additional Information

Key competencies: • Excellent communication and writing skills are a must. • Good knowledge of the building and construction sector and related sustainability issues is required. • Ability to apply research skills in day-to-day work. Strong analytical work and ability to proactively seek and identify relevant information and solutions. • Ability to work on multiple tasks with energy and commitment to due completion. • Is conscious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Shows persistence and flexibility when faced with difficult problems or challenges. • Works collaboratively with colleagues across institutions to achieve organizational and strategic goals; Develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. • Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjusts priorities as required, allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work, monitors and adjust plans and actions as necessary, uses time efficiently.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.