Integrated Energy Systems Consultant

The result of services is to support UNEP Buildings and Cooling Unit to lead an effort to develop a global program and partnership on Local Energy System Integration for an Affordable & Resilient Energy Transition that will bring together workstreams on cooling, buildings, district energy, transport, renewables and energy transition, and provide technical assistance to countries on integrated and decentralized energy system planning and implementation, with focus on the role of city and regional integrated energy planning. This will include research and development of a draft global publication, knowledge products and case studies, maintaining partnerships, preparing training materials, supporting UNEP at high-level global events, providing training and technical support to countries and cities, and preparing fundraising proposals. The consultant will design program activities and provide technical expertise to an implementation project in Ukraine and provide technical inputs and partnership support to other ongoing and planned projects in other geographies.

Paris

10 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is implementing the project “Decentralised Energy Systems to Accelerate the Energy Transition”, whose overall development goal is to assist developing countries and selected cities to accelerate their transition to lower-carbon and climate-resilient societies through promoting modern decentralized energy systems. Electricity demand is rising rapidly in developing countries, driven by urbanisation, cooling, industry, and electrification of transport and other end uses. At the same time, higher shares of variable renewable energy are transforming power system operations and planning. In many contexts, the binding constraint on faster decarbonisation is increasingly the “last mile” of distribution networks where customers connect, rooftop solar expands, cooling peaks intensify, and EV charging grows, often in systems with limited data, planning capacity, and constrained utility finances. This can widen the gap between renewable ambition and what networks can safely host, threatening reliability and affordability. Urban areas account for over 70 percent of global energy consumption and contribute between 40 to 50 percent of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately half of urban energy usage relates to heating and cooling. As cities confront rising cooling demand and extreme heat, sustainable cooling and modern district energy systems are essential not only for emissions reduction, but also for electricity-system reliability and resilience. Importantly, heating and cooling systems, alongside EV charging and distributed energy resources connect to the power grid through buildings and district energy infrastructure. This creates a major opportunity to treat demand not only as a load to be served, but as a resource that can be shaped and coordinated in response to grid conditions and renewable availability, improving energy security while reducing costs. Among the most cost-effective and efficient strategies for reducing emissions and primary energy demand are the development of modern, energy-efficient, climate-resilient, and economically accessible district energy systems in cities. When combined with digitalisation, local controls, and appropriate program design, these systems can also provide demand-side flexibility, through thermal storage, load shifting, coordinated control of chillers/heat pumps, and integration with local renewables and storage, helping defer costly grid upgrades and strengthening resilience during outages and heatwaves. The project primarily advances two of the three objectives of SE4All and the corresponding Sustainable Development Goal 7 on Energy, specifically focusing on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Its contributions include: (i) raising awareness of the potential of district energy and its role in delivering multiple socio-economic and environmental benefits; (ii) strengthening the capacities of city planners, policymakers, and stakeholders to develop, manage, implement, and monitor strategies for the expansion or refurbishment of district energy systems; (iii) fostering an enabling environment that attracts investments in district energy systems by leveraging private sector financing and delivery capabilities to ensure sustainable implementation and industry growth; and (iv) promoting exchange of experience between city and country partners on district energy innovation and best practices through a ‘cities for cities’ twinning initiative. Building upon UNEP’s extensive technical, financial, and policy expertise derived from leading cities and sector partners, and its active engagement in global initiatives and partnerships, UNEP is strategically positioned to help close the implementation gap. UNEP aims to provide access to relevant methodological tools, disseminate global best practices, and accelerate the transition to modern district energy and sustainable cooling systems—while increasingly integrating the electricity-system dimension, including demand-side flexibility, grid constraints, and reliability.

Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) in: energy systems; engineering; urban planning; environmental studies; or a similar discipline is preferable. 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 ten years in a relevant field of work, preferably with a focus on urban energy, energy planning, district cooling/heating, smart grid, buildings, and energy policy. Excellent written and oral communications skills on energy, urban and environmental related topics and excellent mastery of Microsoft Office. Thorough familiarity with project management best practices. Practical experience is essential in energy policy analysis in developing countries. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognized by the United Nations.

Languages: Be fluent in written and spoken English. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Not available.

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.