Carbon Analyst at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Background Information - Job-specific

The Technical Services Unit (TSU) engages in multidisciplinary design and design review, assessments and advisory work for infrastructure related UNOPS projects.  The team currently comprises 18 permanent and 60+ retainer (consultant) personnel including architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, quantity surveyors, GIS and specialist infrastructure practitioners (for dams, ICT, safeguards, biomedical works inter alia) and CAD technicians in addition to support personnel. Current / recent projects are based in Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and Madagascar.  These projects comprise a range of types of horizontal and vertical infrastructure.

The Unit is based in Nairobi, but works extensively in other locations, via travel and by using the network of retainer (consultant) personnel based elsewhere in Africa and beyond. The team has been increasingly tasked with advising on wider issues within the built environment, such as mapping, data analytics, safeguards and infrastructure carbon.

The TSU is a business unit for the Multi-Country office and comes under the direction of the Director for East and Southern Africa office (KEMC).

Functional Responsibilities

The Carbon Analyst  will work as part of the Technical Services Unit Advisory stream, analyzing the carbon impact of planned and implemented infrastructure.  S/he will also work in conjunction with a network of specialist retainer (consultant) personnel.  S/he will be familiar with the role of carbon in the built environment, and be able to clearly communicate relevant data to stakeholders.

Specific tasks are outlined below:

Technical and quality assurance

• Gather relevant data for analysis, either via desktop study or field work.
• Apply knowledge of relevant codes and good practice to analyze and estimate the quantitative carbon impact (embodied and operational) of proposed designs and implemented projects
• Prepare carbon footprint assessments and life cycle assessments
• Produce high quality dashboards
• Assist in providing information for evidence based design and design review to inform options for designers and reviewers
• Liaising with other disciplines where required
• Any other duties assigned by the TSU advisory stream lead or manager

Collaboration and knowledge sharing

• Identify specialist expertise that may be required
• Collaborate with other disciplines to ensure coherent reports
• Liaising with HQ and regional personnel when required to harmonize analysis approaches
• Actively and regularly participate in TSU and Africa region informal and formal meetings.

 Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Bachelor's Degree in an Infrastructure or Carbon Accounting discipline is required.
• A Masters Degree in an Infrastructure or Carbon Accounting discipline is an asset.

Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years experience in Green Infrastructure including life cycle assessments and or carbon footprint assessments is required;
• A minimum of two (2) years experience in data analysis and interpretation including modeling is required;
• Knowledge of sustainable design principles and the regulations governing carbon reporting for infrastructure is required; 
• Proficiency in the use of Google Suite Applications is required;
• Minimum of 2 years work experience in Africa is desirable.

Language Requirements

• Full working knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.