Housing Accessibility Policy and Design Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UN-Habitat, which is the United Nations agency for human settlements. Established by the UN General Assembly, its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, aiming to provide adequate shelter for all. The UN-Habitat Canada Office operates from Montreal and serves as a focal point for partnerships, applied research, and policy engagement in Canada and North America. It plays a crucial role in implementing UN-Habitat’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, focusing on sustainable urbanization agendas and advancing housing solutions that are affordable, adequate, and resilient. The office emphasizes knowledge and innovation to accelerate housing solutions and contributes to global efforts in housing dialogue and cooperation, particularly in the context of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Job Overview:
The Housing Accessibility Policy and Design Specialist will be responsible for supporting the development of the Accessible-Ready Housing Design Compendium and conducting applied research on accessibility standards and policies both in Canada and internationally. This role involves ensuring project delivery and workflow in collaboration with the project team. The consultant will consolidate research outputs and knowledge products that enhance the Accessible-Ready Housing project and facilitate the exchange of Canadian expertise on accessible housing and public space. The position is full-time and based in Montreal, Canada, and is initially offered as a six-month contract with the possibility of extension based on performance evaluation. The consultant will coordinate inputs between the Design Compendium and the Guidance Package, ensuring alignment of design strategies and policy pathways, and will support collaboration with various stakeholders, including municipalities and external experts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will carry out a comprehensive set of tasks, including:

• Developing the Accessible-Ready Housing Design Compendium with annotated typologies and layouts.
• Conducting applied research on housing accessibility standards and policies, including comparative analyses of international precedents.
• Providing technical support for policy and standards analysis related to housing accessibility.
• Developing architectural typologies and spatial strategies aligned with accessible-ready design principles.
• Integrating Accessible-Ready Standard requirements into design criteria.
• Supporting the development of adaptation pathways for Accessible-Ready dwellings.
• Collaborating with organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to ensure prototypes reflect diverse accessibility needs.
• Participating in meetings and workshops to validate design concepts.
• Contributing to knowledge products for dissemination at events. 1
• Preparing progress reports and supporting project management tasks. 1
• Building strategic partnerships with academic institutions and community organizations. 1
• Supporting monitoring and evaluation of housing research outputs. 1
• Contributing to resource mobilization efforts related to housing research and innovation. 1
• Preparing inputs for major global events.

Required Qualifications:
A Master’s degree in architecture, urban planning, housing design, or a closely related field is required, along with experience in translating accessibility and universal design requirements into architectural drawings. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Familiarity with the Canadian housing and planning regulatory context is desirable, as is experience in evidence-based design research and the production of architectural diagrams and technical guidance materials. Strong report writing and editorial skills are highly desirable, along with progressively responsible work experience in housing systems and sustainable urban development.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in architecture, urban planning, housing design, or a closely related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree along with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. The educational background should include a focus on accessibility, adaptable housing, or universal design.

Experience:
A minimum of 2 years of experience in evidence-based design research and housing typology development is required. Candidates should have demonstrated ability in conducting applied research on housing adequacy, including cultural adequacy and accessibility. Experience working with persons with disabilities and their organizations, as well as in culturally diverse contexts, is an asset. Experience in the United Nations Common System or other international organizations is also desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this position. Proficiency in French is highly desirable, as English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official UN language is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Montreal, Canada. It is a six-month contract with the possibility of extension based on performance evaluation. Applicants must be Canadian residents or citizens or have permission to work in Canada. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.