Sustainable Data Center and Computer Server Expert

Consultant IT & Telecom Information Management

Overview

Lead implementation of Sustainable Procurement Guidelines for Data Centres in select countries.

You have:

• Advanced degree in engineering, ICT systems, environmental science, or related field or relevant bachelors degree with sufficient experience
• At least 8 years of experience in energy-efficient/environmentally sustainable data centres, IT equipment procurement, or sustainable infrastructure planning
• Proven track record in developing or applying procurement frameworks for public-sector or corporate ICT systems
• Familiarity with relevant energy performance standards and metrics (e.g., ENERGY STAR, ISO/IEC standards, ASHRAE)
• Understanding of the UNFCCC transparency requirements and their relevance to mitigation measures in the ICT sector
• Experience working with government agencies, companies or international organizations in developing or emerging economies
• Excellent analytical, policy, and technical writing skills
• Strong facilitation and training delivery experience
• Commitment to completing work on schedule and with a high level of quality
• Fluency in English (spoken and written)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The consultant will lead technical implementation of the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines for Data Centres and Computer Servers in selected pilot countries. Expected outcomes include: • Country-specific implementation plans and procurement templates; • Technical guidance on equipment selection and efficiency criteria; • Delivery of stakeholder engagement and capacity-building workshops; • Documentation of potential and actual energy and emissions savings; • Contributions to national climate tracking and reporting frameworks.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

4 months

Duties and Responsibilities

United for Efficiency (U4E) is a global initiative launched in 2015 to help developing and emerging economies transition to energy-efficient and climate-friendly technologies. U4E promotes an Integrated Policy Approach including minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), labeling, financial mechanisms, market monitoring and enforcement (MVE), and environmentally sound management (ESM). To address the rapidly increasing energy demand from digital infrastructure, U4E has developed the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines for Data Centres and Computer Servers. These guidelines are designed to help governments and institutions reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and total cost of ownership by improving procurement and operational practices for ICT systems. To support the initial deployment of these guidelines in 2–3 pilot countries, U4E is seeking a consultant with deep technical expertise in sustainable data centre and server procurement. The consultant will work closely with national governments, technical agencies, and procurement authorities to: • Tailor the guidelines to local institutional and market contexts; • Integrate energy-efficient criteria into public procurement processes; • Build capacity among key stakeholders; and • Support early implementation and uptake of best practices. This consultancy also supports broader international climate goals. Under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) of the Paris Agreement, countries are required to regularly track and report progress toward their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), including mitigation actions. By helping governments improve the energy and emissions performance of their digital infrastructure, this work contributes to measurable outcomes that can be incorporated into national greenhouse gas inventories, mitigation reporting, and Biennial Transparency Reports under the UNFCCC process. The consultant will facilitate the achievement of the following objectives: • Support the deployment of the U4E Sustainable Procurement Guidelines for Data Centres and Computer Servers in 2–3 pilot countries by tailoring guidance to local contexts and helping integrate energy efficiency and sustainability criteria into national procurement practices. • Develop country-specific implementation plans and technical templates to guide public procurement of data centres and servers, drawing on international best practices and aligning with the guide’s recommended performance specifications and operational measures. • Collect and analyze national data on public ICT infrastructure (e.g., stock of servers, typical procurement cycles, energy usage profiles), and use it to estimate energy and emissions savings potential from improved procurement and operational practices. • Facilitate capacity building and stakeholder engagement, including the design and delivery of training materials and workshops targeting procurement officials, ICT managers, policymakers, and climate reporting focal points. • Collaborate with U4E communications and outreach teams to develop materials and messaging that promote the benefits of energy-efficient and climate-friendly digital infrastructure, and support national awareness campaigns. • Support integration of ICT efficiency actions into climate transparency frameworks, by advising on how countries can track, quantify, and report ICT-related mitigation outcomes under their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) of the Paris Agreement.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced degree in engineering, ICT systems, environmental science, or related field or relevant bachelors degree with sufficient experience • At least 8 years of experience in energy-efficient/environmentally sustainable data centres, IT equipment procurement, or sustainable infrastructure planning. • Proven track record in developing or applying procurement frameworks for public-sector or corporate ICT systems. • Familiarity with relevant energy performance standards and metrics (e.g., ENERGY STAR, ISO/IEC standards, ASHRAE). • Understanding of the UNFCCC transparency requirements and their relevance to mitigation measures in the ICT sector. • Experience working with government agencies, companies or international organizations in developing or emerging economies. • Excellent analytical, policy, and technical writing skills. • Strong facilitation and training delivery experience. • Commitment to completing work on schedule and with a high level of quality.

Languages

• Fluency in English (spoken and written).

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 10 months ago - Updated 10 months ago - Source: careers.un.org