Green Building Specialist | UNEP Young Talent Pipeline
Nairobi
- Organization: UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme
- Location: Nairobi
- Grade: Volunteer - International Youth - International recruited Volunteer
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Occupational Groups:
- Architecture, Building and Property Management
- Infrastructure and Urban-Rural development
- Closing Date: Closed
Mission and objectives
Since its inception in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been the global authority that sets the environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP works through its divisions as well as regional, liaison and out-posted offices and a growing network of collaborating centres of excellence.
Context
UNEP's Economy and Industry Division helps economic decision-makers change the business environment by creating platforms for dialogue and cooperation, devising innovative policy options, running pilot projects, and using market forces to bring about change. The Division has three branches: Chemicals and Health; Energy and Climate, and Resources and Markets.
Buildings and Climate Change
Buildings use a lot of energy and are therefore large contributors to climate change. The number of buildings is further increasing with the size equivalent of the city of Paris being added in floor space every five days, and that of Japan every year. Half of the buildings standing in 2060 have not yet been built. Put simply, the decisions we make about buildings today will determine our emissions legacy.
UNEP’s Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction – the GlobalABC – is driven by a vision of a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings and construction sector. The Alliance brings together a wide variety of committed partners from around the world - national and local governments, inter-governmental organizations, businesses, associations, networks, and think tanks. Their shared motivation? -Raising the level of climate ambition in retrofitting existing buildings, and future-proofing investments in new buildings. In short, making buildings as “climate-friendly” as possible.
As a part of the GlobalABC Team, the UNV will work under the direction of the head of the GlobalABC Secretariat, supporting UNEP’s efforts to transform the buildings and construction sector and contribute towards the 1.5° goal of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Task description
As a part of the GlobalABC Team, the IUNV will work under the direction of the head of the GlobalABC Secretariat, supporting UNEP’s efforts to transform the buildings and construction sector and contribute towards the 1.5° goal of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Specifically, the International UNV will undertake the following tasks:
- Help establish and strengthen relationships with counterparts, officials, and technical staff in national governments, GlobalABC member/partner organizations, and international organizations involved in the Alliance.
- Interact with universities, industry partners, national and local governments, and research institutions around the world in developing GlobalABC knowledge products and tools.
- Be responsible for specific activities in the annual work plan and contribute to others as part of the team, working closely with consultants, partners, and sub-contractors.
- Support the planning and organization of meetings and workshops, preparing background information, suggesting discussion topics, and identifying resource speakers.
- Support GlobalABC outreach and communication activities. Results/Expected Outputs
- Strengthened relationships with stakeholders in the GlobalABC built and supported.
- National/local building decarbonization & resilience roadmaps/strategies supported and developed.
- Building material decarbonization strategies supported and developed.
- Flagship products such as the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction sup-ported and developed.
- Roundtables and workshops on building decarbonization and resilience supported and held.
- Stakeholder consultations on building decarbonization and resilience were held and supported.
Eligibility criteria
Age
From 27 years of age
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in relevant fields; of which at least two years of work experience is in supporting the implementation of international environmental or climate change projects
- Experience on sustainable buildings and construction projects is required
- Experience in supporting global advocacy networks and knowledge platforms is desirable.
- You are reliable and efficient; you know how to organize yourself and coordinate your work.
- You are able to communicate effectively and persuade diverse audiences, and work effectively with a wide range of partners.
- You know how to handle complexity and evolve in a fast-paced team environment.
Area(s) of expertise
Engineering and construction, Energy and environment, Development programs
Driving license
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Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in engineering, environmental policy, political science, economics, preferably with relevant specialization in sustainable buildings and construction, energy efficiency, climate change, or related fields
Competencies and values
- Professionalism: Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and rec-ommendations; shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
- Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly in-terprets messages from others and responds appropriately; proven interpersonal skills; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing in-formation and keeping people informed; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, ar-ticulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military person-nel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse back-grounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups.
- Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.