District Cooling Consultant

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), through its Mitigation Branch and India Office, seeks to accelerate district cooling investment and knowledge in India. This role supports a proposed knowledge hub, engaging governments, industry, and academia to promote sustainable district cooling uptake. The consultant will work remotely, liaising with UNEP offices in Paris, Asia-Pacific, and Copenhagen.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical, organizational, and advocacy support for UNEP's district cooling projects in India, operating within the framework of the Cool Coalition. The role is crucial for scaling up district cooling initiatives by enhancing market knowledge, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and supporting the development of a district cooling hub. This hub aims to offer policy advisory, project support, technology transfer, training, and capacity building. The consultant will drive awareness, build buy-in, and secure support for the hub, enabling its sustainable growth and impact in promoting energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling solutions in India and globally.

Responsibilities

The consultant will perform technical, organizational, and advocacy tasks to support UNEP's district cooling projects in India and globally. Key responsibilities include providing technical expertise and strategic support for stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and knowledge development. This involves disseminating best practices and collaborating with the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre. The consultant will support the government of India in accelerating market and knowledge sharing for energy-efficient district cooling systems, including the operationalization of a proposed DC hub. This includes mapping and engaging diverse stakeholders such as urban planners, architects, engineering firms, developers, industry associations, contractors, and facility management companies. The consultant will develop, refine, and disseminate knowledge products, training materials, and communication pieces, and draft recommendations. Additionally, organizing and technically supporting capacity-building and strategic communication events, and coordinating with local and international stakeholders to ensure high-quality outputs are essential. Timely delivery of work packages and deliverables is also required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of relevant experience is required, preferably in market research, stakeholder mapping and engagement, or strategic communication. Expertise in the Indian context and experience engaging government, industry, finance, and academia in India are crucial. Advanced experience in communication and stakeholder engagement/management is necessary. Experience in district cooling market development in India and engaging multiple stakeholders in project development and partnership building is essential.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement and management, Advocacy, Knowledge development and dissemination, Strategic communication, Technical expertise in district cooling, Market research, Project support, Capacity building, Policy advisory, Partnership building.

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