Sustainable Built Environment and Construction Consultant

Result of ServiceThe consultant will support the effective coordination and implementation of the One Planet Network’s (OPN), Life Cycle Initiative and GlobalABC activities under the Materials Hub, with a focus on the Circular Built Environment (CBE), and contribute substantively to the delivery of the Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action 2 (Demand Creation). Work LocationRemote Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThis consultancy is a shared position between the One Planet Network and the GlobalABC. The 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP), adopted by the UN General Assembly, is a key implementation mechanism for the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and its SDG 12, of which it is an integral part. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) serves as the Secretariat of the 10YFP, working closely with Member States and other stakeholders engaged in the One Planet network, its global programmes and initiatives (www.oneplanetnetwork.org) to support implementation of SCP policies, solutions and practices globally. Furthermore, the 10YFP Secretariat coordinates the implementation of the Global Strategy for SCP (2023-2030) approved by the 10YFP Board (UN General Assembly resolution), as a direct contribution to advancing the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) on climate, biodiversity and pollution. Promoting sustainable buildings and construction has been at the core of the 10YFP and its One Planet Network for over a decade and remains a priority area under the new Global Strategy for SCP (2023-2030) adopted by the 10YFP Board and acknowledged by the UN General Assembly late 2022, as well as of the 10YFP/OPN Secretariat’s results framework (2023-2024) elaborated in response to the Strategy. The Global Strategy for SCP aims at enabling changes through circularity, transformative multistakeholder and public-private partnerships, tools and solutions across high-impact systems and sectors (pillar II). It calls for the uptake of the key enablers for change – including circularity, social inclusion, digitalization, public procurement, consumer information and sustainable lifestyles solutions - that can help steer and shape markets, practices and behaviors, both from the supply and demand side, towards sustainable models, empowering governments, stakeholders and individuals to trigger long-term, sustainable and fair economic and social transformations across high-impact sectors and value chains. Sustainable Construction and Built Environment is identified as a priority sector in the Strategy, which aims at supporting governments, the private sector and other stakeholders to have access to strategic principles, tools and solutions that can help mainstream a holistic approach to buildings, construction and infrastructures, through a whole-life cycle approach, circularity, material efficiency and low-emission solutions, keeping in mind the opportunity to contribute to multiple SDGs, including SDG 12.5, as well as SDG 9 and SDG11, but also climate objectives as set in the Climate Action Pathways on Human Settlements and Industry and UNEA resolution on Sustainable Infrastructure. The Strategy foresees close engagement of the GlobalABC, under which the work of the Sustainable Buildings and Construction programme of the One Planet Network will be taken forward. In this context, the 10YFP/OPN results framework (2024-2025), approved by the 10YFP Board, identifies SPP as a prioritized global solution, with a core component on continuing the flagship initiatives of mainstreaming circularity in the construction sector through SPP. 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. Since 2015, UNEP hosts the Secretariat of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), launched during the first Buildings Day at COP 21. The GlobalABC has 8 working areas and hubs in its structure, these are: Resilience Hub, Materials Hub, Market Transformation Hub, Data Hub, Finance Hub, Clean Heat Hub, Higher Education Institutions Group and Sufficiency Action Group. At COP27, the Buildings Breakthrough co-leads - France and the Kingdom of Morocco, together with supporting countries, joined forces issuing an official call to all countries to join the Buildings Breakthrough to accelerate the transition to sustainable buildings for everyone everywhere. To date, 21 countries have joined the Buildings Breakthrough and 15 initiatives have announced their support to be listed as leading initiatives. In March 2024, the Government of France and UNEP, in partnership including with the GlobalABC, co-organised a Global Forum on Buildings and Climate. A first of its kind, this Forum brought together national governments, policymakers, international organisations, local authorities, the private and financial sector, industry experts as well as a section of the civil society, to accelerate the achievement of the Buildings Breakthrough by 2030. The Forum concluded with the adoption by representatives of 70 countries of the Declaration de Chaillot, a foundational document for international cooperation that will enable progress towards a rapid, fair, and effective transition of the buildings and Construction sector. In this context, the GlobalABC and the10YFP Secretariat are seeking a consultant on Sustainable Built Environment and Construction to: 1.Coordinate the activities of the One Planet Network, Life Cycle Initiative and GlobalABC Materials Hub, with a specific focus on the Circular Built Environment and its related sub-working groups, in close collaboration with leading partners (e.g., GBC Costa Rica, Finland, RMIT, UK), ensuring the inclusion of SPP work, effective engagement, delivery of joint outputs, and alignment with global agendas. 2.Support the implementation of the Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action 2 on Demand Creation, including a whole life cycle perspective, coordinating with supporting partners and countries, facilitating of stakeholder engagement and endorsement of the Global Framework for Action, and aligning with other relevant priority action groups under the Buildings Breakthrough initiative. 3.Contribute to monitoring, reporting, and communications related to circularity and sustainable public procurement in the construction sector, including coordination of webinars and relevant events such as WCEF and COP, progress tracking against SDG 12, the 10YFP results framework, and the GlobalABC strategy, working closely with GlobalABC members, BBT/B2 partners, and the One Planet Network SPP programme. 4.Contribute to the broader implementation of the 10YFP Secretariat’s Programme of Work, and GlobalABC’s agenda including support to strategic outreach, communications, and knowledge-sharing efforts under the SPP programme, the Materials Hub, and other emerging initiatives of the One Planet Network and the GlobalABC. The consultant will: • Provide coordination support for the implementation of the Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action 2 (Demand Creation), including the organization of meetings with supporting partners and countries, stakeholder engagement to promote and secure endorsement of the Global Framework for Action, and support to its integration across relevant platforms and events (e.g. COP30, GlobalABC Assembly, Buildings and Climate Global Forum). • Lead and contribute to the development and implementation of the One Planet Network’s flagship work on mainstreaming sustainable public procurement (SPP) in the construction sector. This includes supporting partner engagement, integrating SPP into key knowledge products, and promoting practical tools and resources that encourage the uptake of circularity and sustainability in public procurement processes. • Support coordination of the One Planet Network, Life Cycle Initiative and GlobalABC Materials Hub, including collaboration with its sub-groups on Circular Built Environment and Biobased Materials. This involves contributing to joint planning, drafting of inputs, meeting organization and follow-up, and alignment with related initiatives such as the Whole Life Cycle Policy Coalition (WLCP.Co). • Facilitate the active engagement of key stakeholders—including Member States, UN agencies, private sector actors, and One Planet Network partners—in the construction-related workstreams, with a focus on those contributing to the Buildings Breakthrough and sustainable procurement agendas. Support outreach to build momentum and visibility around these initiatives, particularly in priority regions (e.g., Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific). • Track and monitor the delivery of outputs related to SPP and construction across various platforms (e.g., Materials Hub, OPN platform, newsletters), including webinars, knowledge products, and consultations. Ensure deadlines are met and support the integration of contributions into communications, reporting, and global advocacy efforts. • Contribute to reporting against SDG 12, the 10YFP Global Strategy for Sustainable Consumption and Production, and the GlobalABC strategy, including drafting technical inputs, updates for reporting cycles, and materials for high-level events. • Support the overall implementation of the 10YFP/One Planet Network Secretariat’s Programme of Work on sustainable buildings and construction, contributing to strategic alignment across initiatives, resource mobilization efforts, and effective coordination with UNEP-led and partner-led activities. Qualifications/special skills• University Degree (Master’s level or BA level) in sustainability, civil, environmental or construction engineering, architecture, urban development/policies, management or another related Degree • At least 3 years of professional experience related to sustainability, buildings and construction in the context of international cooperation and development is required. • Experience in organizing, planning and delivering workshops, events, conferences, training is required. • Excellent research, analytical, written and oral communication skills is required. • Good understanding of sustainable consumption and production, Life Cycle Approaches, tools and thinking, circular economy, sustainable resource use, sustainable public procurement and/or related concepts is desirable as well as experience with indicators relevant to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement. • Experience on sustainable public procurement would be an asset. • Experience coordinating multi stakeholders groups would be an asset. • Experience working for an international organization such as UNEP or the UN system would be an asset. • Ability to work independently and support a multi-disciplinary team, using independent judgment to plan, prioritize and organize a diverse workload in a fast-paced environment. • Flexibility and adaptability to work under pressure to meet specific deadlines. LanguagesNot available. 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.