Consultant for Energy Efficiency in Cooling Technologies

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is a leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Established in 1972, UNEP has a mission to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices by providing leadership and encouraging partnership in caring for the environment. UNEP operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees. The organization works on various environmental issues, including climate change, sustainable resource management, and pollution control, and collaborates with governments, civil society, and the private sector to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) through its United for Efficiency (U4E) initiative, which aims to accelerate the transition to energy-efficient and climate-friendly appliances and equipment. This position involves developing and disseminating model regulatory frameworks for cooling technologies, including air conditioners and refrigeration equipment. The consultant will be responsible for enhancing the uptake of policy tools by increasing the use of technical guidance and analytical tools among governments and stakeholders. This will be achieved through various means, including webinars, workshops, and contributions to international events. The consultant will also work on improving sustainable procurement frameworks by developing guidance to support the procurement of energy-efficient technologies. The role requires effective communication of analytical tools and results to translate them into actionable policy insights, thereby supporting decision-making processes. The consultant will contribute high-quality technical inputs to international guidance materials and support regional collaboration to harmonize policy approaches and facilitate dialogue between governments and industry stakeholders. The position is remote and expected to last for 9 months, focusing on strengthening the quality and consistency of global and regional policy tools while ensuring their effective use in national and regional contexts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties and responsibilities will include the following:

• Development and justification of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling proposals for cooling technologies.
• Providing technical inputs to market assessments, including efficiency levels, technologies, and projections.
• Reviewing and validating draft regulations and technical reports to ensure alignment with international best practices.
• Participating in selected technical discussions or policy working groups where high-level technical input is required.
• Offering inputs to sustainable procurement levels and technical requirements for energy-efficient technologies.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of technical content for training sessions aimed at enhancing capacity building.
• Advising on testing standards, methodologies, and laboratory specifications relevant to cooling technologies.
• Ensuring that technical outputs are consistent and of high quality, aligning with international standards and practices.
• Supporting targeted technical inputs to priority countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to enhance their energy efficiency policies and frameworks.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• A minimum advanced university degree (Masters) or equivalent in Engineering (electrical, mechanical, industrial, or similar), Electricity, or a relevant scientific discipline.
• More than 7 years of experience in cooling energy efficiency, including expertise in MEPS and labelling, HVAC systems, and refrigeration technologies.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing cooling energy efficiency policies, standards, and regulations, particularly in relation to MEPS and labelling schemes.
• Experience working with government and private sector stakeholders internationally, providing policy recommendations on energy efficiency strategies and tools.
• Technical knowledge of refrigeration and HVAC systems, including natural refrigerants and energy efficiency measures for cooling appliances.
• Familiarity with product testing standards and compliance projects related to energy efficiency.
• Strong analytical skills to assess diverse information and produce high-quality presentations and reports.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to establish and maintain relationships with government and stakeholders in various countries, including Nigeria, Dominican Republic, Rwanda, and Costa Rica.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Masters) or equivalent in a relevant field such as Engineering (electrical, mechanical, industrial, or similar), Electricity, or a scientific discipline related to energy efficiency and cooling technologies. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary technical knowledge and understanding of the complexities involved in energy-efficient cooling solutions.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in the field of cooling energy efficiency. This includes a strong background in developing and implementing policies, standards, and regulations related to energy efficiency, particularly in the context of cooling technologies. Experience working with international stakeholders, including government and private sector entities, is crucial for this role. Additionally, the consultant should have a proven track record of providing technical inputs and recommendations on energy efficiency strategies and tools, as well as experience in conducting training and capacity-building initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency in both Spanish and English is required for this position. This bilingual proficiency is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and partners across different regions, particularly in Latin America and other Spanish-speaking countries. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory for this role.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote and is expected to last for a duration of 9 months. The consultant will be engaged on a contractual basis, and there is no fee associated with the recruitment process. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The consultant will be expected to work full-time and may be required to participate in international events and discussions related to energy efficiency and cooling technologies.