Consultant for Climate-Responsive Housing Systems

Job Posting Organization:
UN-Habitat is the agency for human settlements, established by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. The organization aims to provide adequate shelter for all and operates globally, with a focus on advancing sustainable urbanization agendas. The Canada Office of UN-Habitat plays a crucial role in implementing the organization's strategic plan in Canada and North America, emphasizing partnerships, applied research, and policy engagement. The office is dedicated to addressing climate-responsive housing systems, ensuring that housing solutions are affordable, adequate, resilient, and aligned with climate commitments.

Job Overview:
The consultant will enhance UN-Habitat’s capacity to deliver evidence-based knowledge and practical tools aimed at advancing climate-responsive housing systems. This role involves conducting applied research, performing data analysis, and generating knowledge outputs that will support both the Canada Office's initiatives and UN-Habitat’s global housing and climate agenda. The consultant will work closely with various teams within UN-Habitat and will be responsible for developing strategies that promote low-carbon and climate-resilient housing systems. This position is integral to the Canada Office's mission and will require collaboration with Canadian and international partners to ensure the integration of local expertise into global initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key responsibilities, including:

• Collaborating with the Head of the UN-Habitat Canada Office and coordinating with teams at UN-Habitat HQ and Regional Offices.
• Providing technical expertise in applied research focused on climate-smart housing, addressing aspects such as resilience, mitigation, adaptation, circularity, and just transition.
• Developing and disseminating knowledge products related to climate and housing, including policy briefs, research papers, and data-driven reports.
• Designing and implementing strategies for low-carbon and climate-resilient housing systems, incorporating innovative financing and community-led approaches.
• Creating knowledge management tools and capacity-building resources for policymakers and local communities.
• Contributing to global and regional UN-Habitat initiatives, ensuring Canadian perspectives are included.
• Establishing partnerships with research institutions and networks in Canada and internationally.
• Supporting advocacy and communication efforts, including participation in events and dialogues.
• Drafting technical notes and project concept notes to aid in resource mobilization and program expansion.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Urban Studies, Housing Policy, Climate Change, Environmental Economics, International Development, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in applied research, climate change adaptation, mitigation, sustainable housing, or urban development is required. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in climate-smart housing systems and possess strong applied research skills in both quantitative and qualitative methods, with the ability to present complex information clearly.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Urban Studies, Housing Policy, Climate Change, Environmental Economics, or International Development. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree, they must also have two additional years of qualifying experience to meet the educational criteria. This ensures that candidates have a solid foundation in the necessary academic disciplines related to urban development and climate issues.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in areas such as applied research, climate change adaptation, mitigation, sustainable housing, and urban development. Candidates should have demonstrated expertise in climate-smart housing systems, including technical knowledge related to mitigation, adaptation, and resilience in the housing sector. Experience in policy development, stakeholder engagement, or international cooperation on climate and housing issues is also desirable, indicating a well-rounded background in relevant fields.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position, as it is one of the official working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency and/or fluency in French is highly desirable, given the bilingual nature of the work environment in Canada. Additionally, knowledge of another official UN language is considered an asset, which could enhance communication and collaboration in a diverse international setting.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered as a six-month contract, with the possibility of extension based on performance evaluations. It is a full-time, on-site role based in Montreal, Canada. Applicants must be Canadian residents or citizens or possess permission to work in Canada. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring procedure.