Buildings and Carbon Management Policy Specialist

The ultimate result of the consultancy is the provision of technical, analytical and strategic support to UNEP's Buildings and Construction programme and carbon drawdown workstream. Under the guidance of the Head of the Policy and Planning Unit and the GlobalABC Programme Officer, the consultant will contribute to: • Strengthened coordination and strategic planning across GlobalABC activities, including support for work planning, flagship products and partner engagement. • Enhanced technical and policy analysis on carbon drawdown, carbon utilization, carbon storage and material economy approaches relevant to the buildings and construction sector. • Development of project concepts, funding proposals and partnership opportunities supporting implementation of UNEP's buildings and carbon drawdown agenda. • Delivery of strategic recommendations, technical reports and policy inputs to inform UNEP's engagement in international climate and environmental processes, including COP31 and UNEA. • Strengthened linkages between UNEP's Buildings and Construction activities and emerging carbon drawdown initiatives at global, regional and national levels. Throughout the process, the consultant is expected to maintain regular engagement with relevant UNEP teams and participate in meetings as needed.

Nairobi, Kenya

5.9 months with the possibility of extension

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) supports the global transition towards a zero-emission, resource-efficient and resilient buildings and construction sector through its Buildings and Construction activities and its role as Secretariat of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC). At the same time, UNEP is exploring opportunities to engage more systematically on carbon dioxide removal (CDR), carbon management and carbon drawdown governance as part of broader climate mitigation and post-net-zero strategies. Recent work undertaken by UNEP highlights the strategic importance of linking carbon drawdown approaches with industrial systems and material value chains, particularly within the buildings and construction sector, which represents one of the largest opportunities for carbon retention in materials and long-lived infrastructure. The buildings sector therefore has an important role to play not only in emissions reduction but also in supporting emerging carbon drawdown pathways through low-carbon materials, bio-based materials, carbon-retaining products, circular construction approaches and enabling policy frameworks. To support these activities, UNEP seeks a consultant with a background in civil engineering, green building solutions and strong research/analytical skills, to provide technical, analytical and coordination support across its Buildings and Construction portfolio and the emerging carbon drawdown workstream. The consultant will contribute to research, stakeholder engagement, programme development, knowledge products, policy analysis and partnership-building activities, while helping identify and strengthen synergies between carbon drawdown approaches and sustainable buildings and construction initiatives. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the consultant will report to the Head of the Policy and Planning Unit, Mitigation Branch, Climate Change Division and the GlobalABC Programme Officer, Cooling and Buidlings Unit, Sectoral Transitions Section, Climate Change Division. The consultant will undertake the following activities: Buildings and Construction portfolio: • Provide substantive technical support to the implementation of UNEP's Buildings and Construction activities especially in Kenya and the work programme of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC). • Contribute to the development, review and dissemination of GlobalABC flagship knowledge products, technical reports, policy briefs and other analytical outputs related to sustainable buildings and construction. • Analyse developments, trends and emerging opportunities related to building decarbonization, resource efficiency, whole-life carbon approaches, circular construction and low-carbon construction materials, and provide recommendations to inform UNEP activities and partnerships. • Support strategic engagement with governments, international organizations, research institutions, financial institutions and industry stakeholders to advance sustainable buildings and construction objectives. • Facilitate coordination and engagement across GlobalABC Hubs, Action Groups and partner networks to support delivery of agreed workplans and priority initiatives. • Contribute technical inputs to project development, resource mobilization efforts and partnership-building opportunities related to the buildings and construction sector. Carbon Drawdown and CDR Governance: • Conduct technical and policy analysis on carbon drawdown, carbon dioxide removal (CDR), carbon management and related governance frameworks, including their relevance for climate mitigation pathways and post-net-zero strategies. • Assess the role of the buildings and construction sector in supporting carbon drawdown through carbon-retaining materials, bio-based materials, circular construction approaches, carbon utilization solutions and other emerging innovations. • Develop analytical papers, briefing notes, policy inputs and technical assessments on carbon drawdown and associated governance, regulatory and market developments. • Map and analyse relevant stakeholders, initiatives, partnerships and emerging practices relating to carbon drawdown, carbon management and carbon retention within industrial and construction value chains. • Facilitate expert consultations, stakeholder dialogues, workshops and technical exchanges to inform UNEP's work on carbon drawdown governance and identify opportunities for collaboration and programme development. • Contribute to the development of strategic recommendations and project concepts aimed at strengthening UNEP's engagement on carbon drawdown and its intersection with sustainable buildings and construction. Cross-cutting support: • Prepare technical briefings, presentations, background notes and knowledge products for internal and external audiences. • Support the planning and delivery of stakeholder engagement activities, international meetings, workshops, conferences and COP-related events relevant to the consultant's areas of responsibility. • Identify opportunities to strengthen linkages between UNEP's buildings and construction portfolio and broader climate mitigation, carbon management and carbon drawdown initiatives. • Contribute to internal coordination across UNEP divisions, partners and collaborating institutions to advance programme objectives and maximize synergies between related areas of work. • Perform other related duties and assignments as requested by the supervisor.

Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in buildings, civil or environmental engineering. A first-level university degree, in combination with eight additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in one or more of the following areas: Sustainable buildings and construction; Climate change mitigation; Resource efficiency and circular economy; Carbon management, Environmental policy and governance; and programme or project development. Experience working with international organizations, governments, research institutions or multistakeholder partnerships is desirable. Demonstrated experience in drafting policy papers, technical reports, project concepts and strategic analyses is highly desirable. Special skills: • Sound understanding of sustainable buildings and construction policies, standards and technologies. • Knowledge of embodied carbon, whole-life carbon approaches, low-carbon and bio-based construction materials. • Understanding of carbon dioxide removal, carbon drawdown and carbon management approaches and related policy discussions. • Strong analytical and research skills. • Ability to engage a diverse range of stakeholders and facilitate multi-stakeholder processes. • Excellent drafting, communication and presentation skills.

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Not available.

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.