The activities related to this consultancy will support UNEP’s ongoing efforts to implement UNEA Resolution 4/5 on Sustainable Infrastructure and contribute to Output 2 of the UNEP Programme of Work (PoW) project 612.4 “Supporting Inclusive Green Economy Approaches to Sustainable Development”.
Remote
The duration of the contract will be from 11 October 2021 to 31 December 2021.
Background
Since 2008, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has played a catalytic role in developing and applying key global knowledge products to support countries in their transition to a green and socially inclusive economy. Infrastructure is inextricably linked to the threefold aspects of green and socially inclusive economy transitions and is central to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved without trillions of dollars of infrastructure investment, and if this infrastructure development is unsustainable, it will undermine the the environmental SDGs. Incorporating environmental, social, and economic sustainability into infrastructure planning and development is a critical component of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This was recognized by Members States at the 4th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), where they passed a resolution on sustainable infrastructure, highlighting its importance to sustainable development and emphasizing the need for more integrated approaches in its planning and development.
In 2018, UNEP established the Sustainable Infrastructure Partnership (SIP) as a platform to promote and support integrated approaches to sustainable infrastructure planning and development. Integrated approaches recognize the centrality of infrastructure to the 2030 Agenda, and help deliver optimal environmental, social, and economic outcomes of infrastructure development by considering the complex interlinkages between different infrastructure systems, sectors, phases, governance structures, and aspects of sustainability. In collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, the SIP provides knowledge, facilitates international collaboration, and supports capacity-building at the country-level to foster systems-level approaches, which more fully exploit the complex interlinkages between infrastructure and the SDGs.
Under the chapeau of the SIP, UNEP continues to develop sustainable infrastructure case studies to illustrate key principles and innovative examples in the real world. SIP has begun managing the Sustainable Infrastructure Tool Navigator (Navigator), an online platform that connects infrastructure practitioners—planners, designers, financers, operators—with the most relevant tools that can assist them (https://sustainable-infrastructure-tools.org). The SIP intends to develop country case studies to illustrate both the usage of specific sustainable infrastructure tools contained in the Navigator, as well as the broader good practices set out in the recently launched International Good Practice Principles for Sustainable Infrastructure. UNEP’s objective is to develop a wider database of case studies in collaboration with SIP partners and UN Member States.
Purpose
Building on UNEP’s recent case studies publication, Integrated Approaches in Action: A Companion to the International Good Practice Principles for Sustainable Infrastructure, the consultant will develop six case studies that specifically illustrate the use of tools that are found in the Sustainable Infrastructure Tool Navigator. The case studies will focus on tools applicable to the “upstream” end of the infrastructure lifecycle, such as strategic planning. The use of such tools can help governments build an enabling environment that integrates environmental, social and economic sustainability at the earliest possible stages of decision-making. Illustrative case studies provide insights and lessons learned for inspiration in different parts of the world, and among different stakeholders.
Specific tasks and responsibilities per outputs:
1) Six case studies illustrating tools found in the Sustainable Infrastructure Tool Navigator: the consultant will conduct research on the use of sustainable infrastructure tools that focus on the “upstream” stages of decision-making. The research will be conducted in coordination with the relevant partner for the specific tool (e.g. an international organization, government entity, or private sector implementer that has either developed or used the tool), and UNEP will help facilitate that connection. Each case study will illustrate successes, as well as challenges, in terms of the tools’ use in the six different locations. The estimated length of each case study will be 4-6 pages of text, drawing on the format/style of the case studies contained in Integrated Approaches in Action: A Companion to the International Good Practice Principles for Sustainable Infrastructure. UNEP will provide a guiding template, but each case study should include at minimum the following elements:
• Description of the sustainable infrastructure tool
• Country context/background
• Detailed account of the use of the tool in context, i.e. why it was selected, how it was applied, which infrastructure phase it was applied in, stakeholders involved
• Results, successes, challenges, and tradeoffs
• Insights for advancement, future replication in other geographic contexts, and areas for improvement
Academic Qualifications: Masters degree in geography, economics, political science, international development, engineering, planning or equivalent.
Experience: At least four years’ international experience related to sustainable infrastructure, planning, qualitative/quantitative analysis, infrastructure planning tools, and a good understanding of infrastructure from an integrated, “systems” perspective. Experience producing high-quality written products is essential.
Language: Excellent speaking and writing skills in English.
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.