Governance and Policy Consultant

UN Atlas; Paris; Hybrid; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) seeks a consultant to support the Cool Coalition's Global Cooling Pledge and Beat the Heat initiative. You will engage countries, coordinate needs assessments, onboard new signatories, and organize capacity-building activities.

Your work will develop knowledge products and draft proposals to mobilize resources for sustainable cooling. The role requires an advanced degree and experience in environmental science or policy, with a focus on urban climate

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in environmental sciences, policies, or engineering is required.
• Technical understanding of passive cooling and cooling products is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate signatory country participation in Global Cooling Pledge working groups and coordinate inputs.
• Coordinate bilateral needs calls with countries and document priorities.
• Support onboarding of additional signatories through outreach and follow-up.
• Plan Steering Committee and Coalition calls, manage agendas and minutes.
• Organize capacity-building activities for cities and develop materials.
• Develop knowledge products on urban heat and sustainable cooling.
• Analyze city data to inform technical support; draft project proposals for funding.

Skills

Country engagement

Stakeholder coordination

Capacity building

Knowledge product development

Data analysis

Project proposal writing

Sustainable cooling

Urban climate action

Environmental science

Environmental policies

Engineering

Education

Advanced university degree in environmental science, environmental policies, or engineering

Job description

Organizational context: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is accelerating the global transition to sustainable cooling. The Cool Coalition, established in 2019, is a multistakeholder platform supporting integrated action on sustainable cooling. Since 2024, it serves as the secretariat for the Global Cooling Pledge, tracking progress and developing resources.

Job purpose

This role supports the Cool Coalition's global coordination of the Global Cooling Pledge and the Beat the Heat initiative. The consultant will facilitate country engagement, coordinate needs assessments, and contribute to onboarding new signatories. Responsibilities include organizing capacity-building activities, developing knowledge products, analyzing city data, and drafting project proposals to mobilize resources for sustainable cooling solutions. The position aims to advance UNEP's objectives in promoting sustainable cooling globally.

Responsibilities

Facilitate signatory country participation in Global Cooling Pledge working groups, including invitations, follow-up, and consolidating inputs. Coordinate bilateral needs calls with countries, documenting priorities and support requirements. Support the mobilization and onboarding of additional signatories through outreach and follow-up. Plan and coordinate Steering Committee and Coalition coordination calls, managing agendas, documents, minutes, and action points. Organize online and in-person capacity-building activities for cities, developing materials and managing speakers. Develop knowledge products on urban heat and sustainable cooling, such as guidance notes and case studies. Analyze city data and requests to inform technical support. Draft project proposals and concept notes to secure funding for city-level heat action.

Education

An advanced university degree in environmental science, environmental policies, or engineering is required. A technical understanding of passive cooling, cooling products, and their environmental impacts is highly desirable.

Work experience

A minimum of 1 year of professional experience in sustainable development, environmental work, urban climate action, or sustainable cooling is required. Prior experience with international stakeholder groups and the HVAC industry is beneficial.

Skills

Country engagement, stakeholder coordination, capacity building, knowledge product development, data analysis, project proposal writing, sustainable cooling, urban climate action, environmental science, environmental policies, engineering.