United Nations Environment Programme
Senior Technical & Programme Advisor – Odisha
- Duty station
- 🇫🇷 Paris, France
- Country / area
- France
- Region
- Europe
- UN system
- Other UN Entity
- Level
- CON
- Category
- Affiliate Personnel – Consultants/Individual Contractors
- Title
- Senior Technical & Programme Advisor – Odisha
- Organization
- United Nations Environment Programme
- Work Location
- Bhubaneswar
- Expected duration
- 12 months
- Posted
- 7/7/2026, 4:00:00 AM
- Closes
- 7/28/2026, 3:59:59 AM
About this role
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is seeking a Senior Technical & Programme Advisor to provide high-quality technical support to the Government of Odisha, local cities, and industry for sustainable cooling initiatives under the Cool Coalition. Based in Bhubaneswar for a 12-month duration, the role focuses on driving indoor and outdoor thermal comfort and climate-friendly space cooling. Key responsibilities include developing strategies and policy changes, coordinating across departments, orchestrating technical assistance, and promoting passive cooling, nature-based solutions, and urban design for urban heat island reduction. The advisor will also address cold chains, district cooling, and private-sector engagement, particularly in real estate. A critical component of the role is unlocking large-scale finance for cooling solutions and transferring lessons learned to other Indian states to support the India Cooling Action Plan. The position requires strong engagement with government officials and industry to deliver policy change. The advisor reports to the UNEP India Office in New Delhi and liaises with UNEP Asia-Pacific and Paris Offices. The ideal candidate possesses advanced expertise in public administration, economics, engineering, or environmental studies, along with extensive experience in coordinating large programs and engaging senior stakeholders.
Key requirements
- 12+ years relevant professional experience
- Masters degree or Bachelor's + 2 years
- Fluency in written and oral English
Nice to have
- Experience in sustainable cooling
- Knowledge of building materials
- Knowledge of Hindi and/or Odia
Requirements at a glance
- Min. experience
- A minimum of twelve years’ experience in a relevant field of work and with strong experience of engaging government officials and industry to deliver policy change. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Required degree
- Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) in public administration; economics; building engineering; architecture; urban planning; environmental studies; law; or a similar discipline is preferable. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Languages
- English
Result of Service
The Government of Odisha, cities, and industry have access to high-quality, coordinated technical support to drive indoor and outdoor thermal comfort and climate-friendly space cooling. State strategies and pipelines are established, financing and partnerships are mobilised, and documented lessons are shared with other states, the central government, and internationally through the Cool Coalition.
Work Location
Bhubaneswar
Expected duration
12 months
Duties and Responsibilities
A senior expert is required to perform tasks of a technical, strategic, organisational and analytical nature under UNEP’s Cities Unit (Mitigation Branch). The expert will provide technical and strategic support to UNEP’s programme with the Government of Odisha on sustainable cooling under the Cool Coalition, coordinate with local partners and departments, unlock large-scale finance for cooling solutions, and transfer lessons learned to other Indian states in support of the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP).
The work covers: strategy development and policy change; cross-departmental coordination; technical assistance orchestration; passive cooling in buildings; nature-based solutions and urban design for UHI reduction; cold chains and district cooling; and private-sector engagement (real estate). The advisor will report to the UNEP India Office in New Delhi and liaise with the UNEP Asia-Pacific and Paris Offices.
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) in public administration; economics; building engineering; architecture; urban planning; environmental studies; law; or a similar discipline is preferable. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of twelve years’ experience in a relevant field of work and with strong experience of engaging government officials and industry to deliver policy change. Experience in sustainable cooling and building materials for buildings and cities is beneficial. Excellent written and oral communications skills on energy, urban, buildings and environmental related topics are required. Practical experience in coordination of large programs in states, engaging senior state and city government officials, developing partnerships with private sector is essential. Candidate is expected to be highly regarded in Odisha to support program implementation. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognized by the United Nations.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of Hindi and/or Odia are preferable.
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
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