Consultant for Buildings and Construction Sector

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is dedicated to encouraging sustainable development through sound environmental practices. Established in 1972, UNEP has been at the forefront of environmental governance and policy-making, working with various stakeholders across the globe to address pressing environmental challenges. With a workforce of over 1,000 employees, UNEP operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on areas such as climate change, sustainable resource management, and biodiversity conservation. The organization plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to environmental issues and promoting international cooperation.

Job Overview:
The consultant's primary role is to provide strategic, technical, and analytical assistance to the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development in Kenya. This involves incorporating ambitious and actionable measures related to buildings and construction into Kenya's updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The consultant will develop a Country Position Paper for the Buildings and Construction sector and support the Ministry in organizing a dissemination workshop to present the paper to key stakeholders. The consultant will also engage in the NDC 3.0 process and participate in inter-ministerial working group meetings, ensuring that the buildings and construction sector's targets are effectively integrated into national climate strategies. This position requires a deep understanding of the local context, climate change policies, and the NDC formulation process, as well as the ability to collaborate with various stakeholders to achieve the desired outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Familiarizing themselves with the GlobalABC-PEEB NDC Policy Guide and the NDC 3.0 process in Kenya.
• Developing a validated workplan for the assignment in collaboration with the Ministry and UNEP.
• Preparing an outline for the Country Position Paper that reviews the progress of NDC 2.0 and proposes actionable recommendations for the Buildings and Construction sector.
• Drafting the Country Position Paper, analyzing the country's circumstances, identifying data gaps, and consulting with experts to address these gaps.
• Engaging with the inter-ministerial NDC working group and other stakeholders as necessary.
• Assisting in organizing and delivering a dissemination workshop and presenting the Country Position Paper to stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in architecture, civil engineering, environmental policy, political science, or economics, with a specialization in sustainable buildings and construction, resource efficiency, or climate change. A first-level university degree combined with relevant experience may be accepted. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the buildings and construction sector, with proven knowledge of this sector in Kenya, expertise in climate change and green building solutions, and a strong understanding of the NDC formulation processes. Accreditation as a green building professional is considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as architecture, civil engineering, environmental policy, political science, or economics. Specialization in sustainable buildings and construction, resource efficiency, circularity, or climate change is preferred. A first-level university degree may be accepted if combined with qualifying experience, indicating that practical experience can complement formal education.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of professional experience in the buildings and construction sector, demonstrating a strong understanding of climate change and green building solutions, particularly in the East African region. Experience with NDC formulation processes is essential, as is familiarity with local building material markets and community engagement processes. The consultant should also have expertise in passive design, sustainable building practices, low-carbon construction, and climate-resilient housing.

Languages:
Fluency in written and oral English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Swahili is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for 4 months, and the consultant will be working closely with the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development in Kenya, reporting to UNEP’s Buildings Team. The role is focused on providing technical assistance and requires a collaborative approach to engage with various stakeholders in the buildings and construction sector. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and fair hiring process.