UN-HABITAT Building Energy Efficiency Expert Jobs in Kenya
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the United Nations system monitoring SDG 11 and implementing the Habitat Agenda. The agency helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer and healthier places with better opportunities.
It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society, academia and the private sector. Cities, being home to more than half of the world’s population, consume 60% to 80% of the world’s energy resources and produce 70% of the world’s anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions.
Hence, cities must play a major role in improving energy efficiency, using resources more carefully, transforming urban energy systems, enhancing energy security and national prosperity – while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Aligned with its mission, UN-Habitat actively promotes low-carbon initiatives, emphasizing energy-efficient building design and the widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies and practices.
The organization supports national and local governments in establishing and implementing environmentally friendly building codes, especially given that buildings are responsible for 40% of global energy consumption and 33% of greenhouse gas emissions. While Africa’s existing buildings account for an estimated 56% of national electricity consumption, the good news is that of the buildings that will be standing on the continent in 2050, 75% are yet to be built.
This presents a unique opportunity to prioritize energy-efficient and resilient design promoting sustainability in urban development. A good understanding of current and projected energy consumption patterns in urban areas as well as their renewable energy generation potentials will provide useful information on sustainable urban energy planning, improving energy efficiency in buildings, increasing the use of renewable energy technologies, and improving access to clean, reliable, and sustainable energy services in urban areas.
The Consultant will be responsible of the following expected duties and deliverables:
Milestone 1 : A report on energy and resources (water and materials) audit in buildings in Zimbabwe by climate zones : i) work with the local consultant and the Green Building Council of Zimbabwe (GBCZ) to define the climatic zones and comfort parameters, questionnaires for audits to determine thermal comfort, energy and resources and to establish a baseline for residential and non-residential buildings in the different climatic zones of Zimbabwe.
Milestone 2 : A report on green building rating and certification system for Zimbabwe. Work in collaboration with the local consultant and the GBCZ to identify vernacular/traditional architectures suitable for each climatic zones and conduct feasibility study with Climate consultant 6 and EDGE software to establish the best green building solutions for the country different climatic zones, then compile a green building rating and certification system for Zimbabwe. Green building certification protocol and compliance procedure.
Milestone 3 : A report on gap analysis and mainstreaming of energy and resource efficiency in the new Zimbabwe building energy efficiency code. Work in collaboration with the local consultant and the GBCZ to conduct review on the new national building energy efficiency codes and/or regulations, identifying missing requirements of energy and resources (water and materials) efficiencies. Recommendations for building code amendment: First draft of requirements regarding: a. Environmental friendly building design incorporating green building concepts and regulations (passive building design as per climatic zone), b. Use of climate adapted and sustainable building materials, c. Use of energy efficiency appliances such mandatory use of SWH, lighting, air conditioning and ventilation, d. Water efficiency: mandatory rainwater harvesting, water reuse and recycling; e. Material efficiency f. Renewable energies (mandatory use of solar PV for non-residential building > 1000 m2 for lighting and other electrical appliances), g. Energy management and conservation for buildings,
Milestone 4: Three (03) Reports of training / consultation / validation workshops : Work in collaboration with the local consultant and the GBCZ to organise and delivery three (3) workshops with stakeholders i) capacity building workshop, ii) consultation workshop, and iii) validation workshop All tasks will be undertaken in communication with relevant institutions and stakeholders in Zimbabwe. The consultant will work in collaboration with the national consultant, who collects data, conducts focus meetings with the local relevant experts and assesses energy consumption performance, organize workshops in order to inform the work on the a green building rating and certification system adopted for Zimbabwe’s GBC.
Deliverables:
Deliverable 1 – A Report of workshop 1 : Kick-off workshop, training and milestone 1’s process validation with the stakeholders.
Deliverable 2 – A report on the Zimbabwe’s climatic zones, comfort parameters, and vernacular/traditional architectures suitable for each climatic zones.
Deliverable 3 – A report on energy consumption pattern of the selected facilities from the audit exercise to establish a baseline for residential and non-residential buildings in the different climatic zones of Zimbabwe.
Deliverable 4 – Milestone 1 : A report on energy and resources (water and materials) audit in buildings in Zimbabwe by climate zones.
Deliverable 5 – A Report of workshop 2 : consultation workshop, training and milestone 2’s process validation with the stakeholders.
Deliverable 6 – A report on feasibility study to establish the best green building solutions for the country.
Deliverable 7 – A compilation report of best practices of green building rating and certification system for Green building Council in Africa and benefits.
Deliverable 8 – Milestone 2 : A report on green building rating and certification system for Zimbabwe.
Deliverable 9 – A Report of workshop 3 : Validation/adoption workshop, training and milestone 3’s process validation with the stakeholders.
Deliverable 10 – Milestone 3 : A report on gap analysis and mainstreaming of energy and resource efficiency in the new Zimbabwe building energy efficiency code.
Qualifications/special skills
A master’s degree or higher in environmental science, architecture, urban planning, energy efficiency, sustainable construction, sustainable development, or a related field, providing a strong foundation in green building solutions, energy and resource efficiency in the built environment and environmental sustainability is required.
10 Years experience working on green building projects with an understanding of low-carbon and sustainable construction practices, energy-efficient technologies, and renewable energy integration is required.
Proven track record in undertaking similar projects related to green building rating and certification.
High-level technical proficiency in sustainable construction practices, including materials selection, energy-efficient design, and renewable energy integration.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in other UN languages is an added advantage.
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; UN-HABITAT Building Energy Efficiency Expert Jobs in Kenya
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