Urban Planning Consultant

The result of services is to support the Mitigation Branch and UNEP India Office in the implementation of the India Cooling Programme specifically by strengthening the integration of urban heat resilience and sustainable cooling approaches into urban planning and development processes in partner states and Indian cities. The consultant will support national, state and city-level governments, urban local bodies, planning and development authorities, technical institutions, academia and other relevant stakeholders in translating evidence on urban heat, urban morphology, passive cooling, nature-based solutions and sustainable cooling into practical planning and urban design recommendations. This will include supporting the integration of heat resilience and cooling considerations into master plans/development plans, local area plans, urban design and infrastructure planning, building and development regulations, Heat Action Plans and city-level demonstration projects. By providing technical and analytical support, facilitating coordination with technical partners, supporting stakeholder engagement and capacity building, and documenting and disseminating good practices, the consultant will contribute to strengthening evidence-based heat-resilient urban planning, scaling passive cooling and nature-based solutions, and enabling replication of sustainable cooling approaches across Indian cities.

New Delhi

12 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's Climate Change Division has as objective to deliver effective strategic guidance and high-impact action in support of the transition towards climate stability. Its work is guided by ambition, innovation, credible science, and alignment to global climate goals and needs of individual countries. The Climate Change Division works with Member States and partners to accelerate and support a just transition by addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation through enhancing implementation capacity, provision of data, information and knowledge, access to finance and technology, and building resilience. It promotes sustainable development and effective policies for climate stability; supports action so that countries progress on decarbonization, dematerialization and resilience pathways in line with their climate commitments, aspirations and needs; and fosters transparency in reporting. The Cool Coalition is a UNEP-led global multi-stakeholder platform that supports governments, cities, businesses and international partners to deliver sustainable cooling solutions that advance climate mitigation, climate resilience, air quality, energy access and sustainable development goals. The Cool Coalition is part of the Climate Change Division under the Cooling and Buildings Unit, Sectoral Transformation Section. The consultant is needed to perform tasks of a technical, organizational and analytical nature, as part of the Buildings and Cooling Unit of the Mitigation Branch, Climate Change Division, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). A consultant is needed to support the Mitigation Branch and UNEP India Office in its efforts to accelerate efforts towards sustainable cooling and heat resilience in India, including guidance on urban cooling actions, urban heat mapping and support to cities to integrate heat resilience into planning and drive building level interventions to mitigate urban heat while mainstreaming sustainable cooling measures like nature based solutions, passive cooling and other heat mitigation measures into urban development and planning processes. The consultant will also support engagement with national, state and city-level governments, urban development agencies, technical institutions and other stakeholders to integrate heat resilience and sustainable cooling into master plans, local area plans, urban design interventions, Heat Action Plans and other relevant planning and policy instruments. The position will require significant liaison with UNEP Asia-Pacific Office, UNEP Paris office and UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre. The consultant will be based in New Delhi.

The consultant should have post graduate qualifications in sustainable urban planning, architecture, landscape planning, civil engineering, building science, environmental studies, or equivalent expertise. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of three years in a relevant field of work, preferably with a focus on sustainable urban planning, urban heat mapping, GIS, passive cooling and green buildings. Expertise in technology, financing, policy and regulatory frameworks related to urban cooling is an advantage. Experience in engaging multiple stakeholders in project development and partnership building is essential. Experience in working with Ministries of Government of India, state governments, public sector undertakings, cities and international organisations is an asset. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognized by the United Nations.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in 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.