Buildings and Carbon Management Policy Specialist

Organizational context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) supports the global transition to a zero-emission, resource-efficient, and resilient buildings and construction sector. UNEP also explores systematic engagement in carbon dioxide removal (CDR), carbon management, and carbon drawdown governance as part of climate mitigation strategies. This role provides technical, analytical, and strategic support to UNEP's Buildings and Construction programme and its carbon drawdown workstream.

Job purpose

This consultancy aims to provide crucial technical, analytical, and strategic support to UNEP's Buildings and Construction programme and its emerging carbon drawdown workstream. The role will strengthen coordination and strategic planning for GlobalABC activities, enhance technical and policy analysis on carbon drawdown and material economy approaches within the buildings sector, and develop project concepts and funding proposals. It will also deliver strategic recommendations and policy inputs for international climate processes and strengthen linkages between UNEP's building activities and global carbon drawdown initiatives. The consultant will contribute to research, stakeholder engagement, programme development, knowledge products, policy analysis, and partnership-building, ensuring synergies between carbon drawdown and sustainable buildings and construction.

Responsibilities

Provide substantive technical support for UNEP's Buildings and Construction activities and the GlobalABC work programme. Develop, review, and disseminate knowledge products, technical reports, and policy briefs on sustainable buildings and construction. Analyze trends in building decarbonization, resource efficiency, whole-life carbon, circular construction, and low-carbon materials, providing recommendations. Support strategic engagement with governments, international organisations, research institutions, and industry stakeholders. Facilitate coordination within GlobalABC networks to deliver workplans. Contribute technical inputs to project development, resource mobilisation, and partnership building. Conduct technical and policy analysis on carbon drawdown, CDR, and governance frameworks. Assess the role of the buildings sector in carbon drawdown through materials and circular approaches. Develop analytical papers and briefing notes on carbon drawdown and governance. Map and analyse stakeholders and initiatives related to carbon drawdown and management. Facilitate expert consultations and stakeholder dialogues on carbon drawdown governance.

Education

An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in buildings, civil, or environmental engineering is required. A first-level degree with eight additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.

Work experience

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable buildings and construction, climate change mitigation, resource efficiency, circular economy, carbon management, environmental policy, or programme development is required. Experience with international organisations, governments, research institutions, or multi-stakeholder partnerships is desirable. Demonstrated experience in drafting policy papers, technical reports, project concepts, and strategic analyses is highly desirable.

Skills

Sound understanding of sustainable buildings and construction policies, standards, and technologies. Knowledge of embodied carbon, whole-life carbon approaches, low-carbon, and bio-based construction materials. Understanding of carbon dioxide removal, carbon drawdown, and carbon management approaches and related policy discussions. Strong analytical and research skills. Ability to engage diverse stakeholders and facilitate multi-stakeholder processes. Excellent drafting, communication, and presentation skills.