Extreme Heat Expert

Support UNEP in designing and implementing sustainable cooling programs and extreme heat adaptation strategies.

UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

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Application deadline in 6 days: Friday 14 Aug 2026 at 03:59 UTC

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Overview

Support UNEP in designing and implementing sustainable cooling programs and extreme heat adaptation strategies.

You have:

  • Post graduate qualifications in architecture, urban planning, environmental engineering, energy or a related field.
  • A minimum of 15 years in a relevant field of work, preferably with a focus on extreme heat, cooling, urban planning, and the environment.
  • Practical experience in India is essential in policy analysis and design, city engagement and urban heat island analysis.
  • Experience in working with diverse ministries, states, cities and international organisations is essential.
  • Fluency in English is required.
  • A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The result of services is to support UNEP in the design and implementation of global and country support programs on extreme heat and sustainable cooling, including UNEP’s India Urban Cooling Program. This will include expert insights and handholding on evaluating urban heat island effect and approaches to adapt cities to rising temperatures, including improved urban planning, nature, passive cooling approaches, heat governance and local action plans. Based on consultations with government, states, cities, industry, private players and academia the expert will provide extensive inputs on sustainable cooling and extreme heat best practices to integrate into national and subnational implementation activities, policy documents, planning guidelines and training programs.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

A consultant is needed to perform tasks of an organizational, technical and analytical nature as part of the Buildings and Cooling Unit of the Mitigation Branch, Climate Change Division, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Specifically, a consultant is needed to support UNEP in the global design and implementation of country projects on sustainable urban cooling and extreme heat adaptation under the framework of the Cool Coalition and to engage partners and cities to increase subnational commitments on sustainable cooling including in India. The Consultant will be under the Mitigation Branch of UNEP with significant liaison with UNEP Asia-Pacific Office and UNEP India Office and will be remote-based in India. The consultant will support UNEP by providing technical inputs, training and support to policy dialogues and technical assessments on sustainable cooling and extreme heat in cities. This will include supporting UNEP global teams, UNEP India office and national ministries to design and deliver support programs to cities on extreme heat, developing and delivering training programs on extreme heat and its impacts, supporting the integration of heat adaptation through sustainable cooling into subnational climate and urban plans and supporting funding proposals on extreme heat and sustainable cooling. The Consultant will also support global engagement with technical partners and cities participating in the Beat the Heat Initiative and Nature for Cooling project.

Qualifications/special skills

The consultant should have post graduate qualifications in architecture, urban planning, environmental engineering, energy or a related field. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of 15 years in a relevant field of work, preferably with a focus on extreme heat, cooling, urban planning, and the environment. Practical experience in India is essential in policy analysis and design, city engagement and urban heat island analysis. Experience in working with diverse ministries, states, cities and international organisations is essential. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognized by the United Nations.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE 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.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe your experience with urban heat island analysis? This question assesses your practical experience and understanding of urban heat islands. Share specific projects or methods you have used for analysis.
What approaches have you used to engage cities and ministries in environmental projects? The interviewer wants to know about your stakeholder engagement strategies. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you integrate sustainable cooling practices into urban planning? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What are the key components of a successful urban cooling program? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of a training program you developed related to climate adaptation? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Discuss a challenge you faced while working on a project involving extreme heat adaptation. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends in urban planning and environmental engineering? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What is your understanding of the Cool Coalition and its objectives? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 6 days ago - Updated 3 hours ago - Source: careers.un.org