Posting Title: Buildings Breakthrough Expert

Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme

Duty Station: PARIS

Posting Period: 03 July 2023 – 09 July 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-United Nations Environment Programme-212900-Consultant

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Result of ServiceSuccessful launch of the Buildings Breakthrough at COP28 and successful breakthrough sessions at the Global Buildings and Climate Forum. The consultant will submit monthly activity reports attaching the main outputs produced.

Work LocationHome based

Expected duration12 months

Duties andResponsibilities

The Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), whose Secretariat is hosted by UNEP is supporting France (Ministry for Ecological Transition) with the Kingdom of Morocco (Ministry of National Territory Planning, Land Planning, Housing and City Policy) to develop and launch the Buildings Breakthrough with as target ‘near-zero emission and resilient buildings are the new normal by 2030’. The purpose of the assignment is to support day-to-day communication with stakeholders in buildings and construction sectors to develop a successful progression of the Buildings Breakthrough. The consultant will serve as a focal point for coordinating members and issues around the programme. This will include but is not limited to drafting concept notes, agendas and briefings for effective meeting and communications activities. The consultant will work in close collaboration with UNEP/GlobalABC and co-leading countries (the Government of France and the Kingdom of Morocco) to develop the overall agenda. He/she will also support communication with the existing/future participating countries and initiatives to bring their insights into the Buildings Breakthrough agenda. The consultant will conduct the following activities:

•  Serve as point of contact for interested countries as well as countries who already joined.
•  Serve as point of contact for initiatives who are interested as well as initiatives who already confirmed support.
•  Serve as main coordination focal point for and among countries and initiatives.
•  Liaise with the co-leading countries France and Morocco as well as the GlobalABC Secretariat on progress and priorities.
•  In close collaboration with the website developer and the GlobalABC Secretariat, assist with the concept for an intranet tool for the Buildings Breakthrough.
•  Support the co-leading countries in terms of background documents, tracking, and event preparation.
•  Support in liaising with the COP28 Presidency to ensure a prominent place for the Buildings Breakthrough at COP28.
•  Support in organising Buildings Breakthrough-related events during the Global Buildings and Climate Forum in March 2024, in close collaboration with the governments of France and Morocco and the GlobalABC Secretariat.
•  Serve as outreach focal point, contacting/following up with additional countries and initiatives to join the Buildings Breakthrough in close collaboration with the co-leading countries and the GlobalABC Secretariat.
•  Prepare calls with countries and initiatives including surveys and background documents as needed.
•  Support the development of work plans for countries and initiatives that joined/support, e.g., priority policy actions, milestones over the coming years, etc.
•  Support analysis of data needs.
•  Develop relevant technical background papers to support setting priority actions for countries who joined/are interested in joining.
•  Support the definition of the buildings breakthrough tracking framework linked to the GlobalABC BuildingsGSR and in partnership with IEA (lead for tracking the Glasgow breakthroughs)
•  Draft concept notes, agendas and briefings for outreach and communications activities.
•  Assist in maintaining and keeping up to date the project filing system/repository.
•  Assist in preparing substantial and financial reporting.
•  Perform other tasks as may be requested by the Programme Officer, Buildings and Construction (supervisor).

Qualifications/special skillsEducation: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in public policy, economics, environmental or social sciences, or engineering with a buildings and construction focus. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Specialization and/or experience in a field related to sustainable buildings and construction is required. Experience: At least 5 years of experience in the field of sustainable buildings, environment, climate change or related field. Experience with sustainable buildings and construction initiatives is required. Experience of working with international organizations is an asset; Experience with intergovernmental processes is desired.

LanguagesExcellent oral communication and writing skills in English and French is a must. Knowledge of an additional UN language is an asset.

No FeeTHE 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.