NDC - Low carbon and resilient buildings policy expert

Result of ServiceUsing the GlobalABC-PEEB NDC Guide, the overall aim of this assignment is to provide strategic, technical, and analytical assistance to the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development in incorporating targets and ambitious, investable, actionable and inclusive 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 and delivering a dissemination workshop where he/she will present the paper to selected key stakeholders from the sector. The consultant may be engaged in the NDC 3.0 process and participate in related inter-ministerial working group meetings. The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs under this assignment: 1. A Workplan for the assignment validated by the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development and UNEP 2. An Outline of the “Country Position Document” referencing Global ABC-PEEB NDC Policy Guide approved by the Ministry and UNEP 3. Initial draft of the Country Position Paper for Buildings and Construction for review by the Ministry and UNEP 4. Second Draft incorporating feedback from the first review round, along with a template for gathering comments from multi-stakeholder review group 5. Final Country Position Paper for Buildings and Construction including recommended NDC measures for the sector as well as associated targets and investment required for their implementation. 6. An Agenda for the dissemination workshop and a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the Position Paper Work LocationNairobi, Kenya Expected duration4 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground In 2025 countries are required to submit their new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the UNFCCC for the period 2031-2035. This presents a crucial opportunity for Policymakers to establish commitments necessary to tackle climate change and enhance resilience through 2035. The way the built environment is incorporated into the NDCs will influence whether our buildings serve as obstacles or allies in climate action. UNEP as a member of the GlobalABC aims to assist some selected countries in enhancing their building-related targets within their NDCs by applying the practical guide, “NDCs for the Built Environment” launched at COP29 and jointly developed by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) and the Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB). This guide is designed to provide policymakers, planners, and practitioners with a comprehensive framework for integrating ambitious climate actions within the buildings and construction sectors of their NDCs. Kenya has been actively involved in the GlobalABC since April 2023. The Country joined the Buildings Breakthrough initiative at COP28 and participated in the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris in March 2024, where it endorsed the Declaration De Chaillot. Additionally, Kenya is a member of the Initiative for Greening Construction with Sustainable Wood co-led by the Forests for Climate Leadership Platform (FCLP) and GlobalABC. Kenya's commitment to accelerating climate action in the Buildings and Construction sector is further demonstrated by its role as Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC), alongside France and Brazil, which facilitates the implementation of the commitments outlined in the Declaration De Chaillot. On January 16, 2025, UNEP engaged in a consultative meeting to promote Climate Resilient Urban Development and Buildings in Kenya organized by the State Department of Public Works of the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing & Urban Development. A key outcome of these discussions was the State Department’s request for support in implementing strategic interventions aimed at enhancing the sustainability of the buildings and construction sector. This included a specific ask for technical assistance to support Kenya in enhancing the buildings related targets in the country’s NDC. As Kenya prepares to submit its NDC 3.0, it is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of the previous versions i.e. NDC 1.0 and NDC 2.0. The Government of Kenya seeks to determine: a. The extent to which the commitments outlined in the earlier versions of the NDC have been implemented; b. Recommendations and strategies for strengthening the implementation of these commitments through ambitious climate actions the buildings and construction sector. UNEP as a member of the GlobalABC will assist Kenya to raise ambitions on buildings related targets by utilizing the GlobalABC-PEEB NDC guide and building on the priorities identified in the National Plans and NDC 2.0. In this context, a consultant with good knowledge of the buildings and construction sector in Kenya, expertise in climate change and green building solutions for the region and strong knowledge of the NDC process is required to undertake technical, organizational and analytical tasks to incorporate building-related targets and measures in the NDC 3.0.. The consultant will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development of Kenya and report to UNEP’s Buildings Team, Cities Unit, Climate Change Division. Tasks and responsibilities Under the supervision and guidance of the UNEP Buildings and Construction team, in collaboration with the UNEP’s Green Building Specialist and the Coordinator for Buildings and Climate Change in the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: - Acquaint themselves with the GlobalABC-PEEB NDC Policy Guide as well as the NDC 3.0 process in Kenya. - Develop a workplan for the assignment that aligns with the NDC Policy Guide and the NDC 3.0 process, including specific tasks to be performed in relation to setting targets and formulating measures related to buildings and construction. - Prepare an Outline for the Country Position Paper that includes a review of progress made in implementing NDC 2.0, and suggest a set of clear recommendations to accelerate the implementation of NDC 2.0 relevant for the Buildings and Construction sector, and proposing a set of ambitious, actionable, investable and inclusive targets and measures related to the buildings and construction sector to be incorporated in the NDC 3.0. - Draft the Country Position Paper for Buildings and Construction, following the GlobalABC-PEEB NDC step-by-step guide: (i) Analyze country’s circumstances based on available information such as review of NDC 2.0, BTR reports, NCAP, NAP, Green Economy Strategy, Kenya’s Energy Transition& Investment Plan 2023-2050, Kenya’s GHG inventory and any other relevant documents. (ii) Identify data and information gaps. Consult with experts and stakeholders to address these gaps to the extent possible.(iii) Suggest actionable and investable measures aimed at achieving sectoral targets and supporting national climate goals. - As required, engage with the inter-ministerial NDC working group and other experts/stakeholders during the assignment. - Assist the Ministry in organizing and delivering a dissemination workshop in partnership with UNEP and present the Country Position Paper. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in architecture, civil engineering, environmental policy, political science or economics preferably with relevant specialization in sustainable buildings and construction, resource efficiency, circularity, climate change or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of 5 years professional experience in the buildings and construction sector with proven experience and knowledge of this sector in Kenya, expertise in climate change and green building solutions and policies in the east African region and strong understanding of the NDC formulation processes. Being accredited as a green building professional is an advantage Expertise in passive design, sustainable building practices, low-carbon construction, NDCs, embodied carbon, building LCA and climate-resilient housing, with a deep understanding of local building material markets, planning norms, and community engagement processes. LanguagesFor this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of Swahili is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.