Low-carbon housing expert

Under the guidance of the supervisor and in close collaboration with the Buildings and Cooling Team, the consultant will provide technical support to the Odisha Urban Housing Mission (OUHM) and the Dhaka Urban Development Authority to advance scalable, cost-effective, low-carbon, and climate-resilient affordable housing solutions. The consultancy will support the development of integrated design prototypes, technical guidance, and policy recommendations that embed sustainability, affordability, resource efficiency, climate resilience, and social inclusivity across the full housing delivery process, from planning and design to implementation, operation, and long-term management. The outputs will build on previously developed design prototypes for Cuttack and Sambalpur, with the aim of bridging the gap between design prototypes and on-ground implementation. The main outputs of this assignment are: - Advisory inputs to project development process - State-level design guidelines applicable to all AHP projects - A scalable rental housing policy framework for Odisha. - Prototype for cost-effective, low-carbon, and climate-resilient affordable housing for Dhaka Urban Development Authority

Remote (from India)

6 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recognizes the need to address global environmental concerns in an increasingly urbanizing world. It is in this context that UN Environment supports and promotes sustainability in buildings and construction, emphasizing sustainable buildings’ local and global benefits and the role of the built environment in delivering against the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The building and construction sector is responsible for over one-third of all energy-related GHG emissions and material use. A senior advisor is needed to perform tasks of a technical, organizational and analytical nature, as part of the Sectoral Transformation Section of the Mitigation Branch, Climate Change Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Specifically, the consultant will support the implementation of activities in India and Bangladesh under the framework of the project ”Transforming the built environment through sustainable materials”. The consultant needs to be based in India but can work remotely. This assignment is to provide technical assistance to the Odisha Urban Housing Mission (OUHM) and Dhaka Urban Development authority in advancing cost-effective, low-carbon, and climate-resilient affordable housing.The project adopts an integrated approach combining technical advisory for implementation, the development of design guidelines, and policy inputs, ensuring that sustainability, affordability, and social inclusivity are embedded across all stages—from policy to design and planning to execution and long-term management.

Advanced degree in architecture, urban planning, civil / environmental engineering, economics, public policy or related field. ≥5 years in sustainable buildings, housing policy, or climate-resilient urban development] Demonstrated research & publication experience on housing, informal settlements, or green construction. Familiarity with multilateral climate processes (e.g., COP).

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential

Not available.

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.