International Consultant for Development of Technical Regulations on Building Energy Efficiency

The objective of the UNDP-GEF full size project is to reverse the existing trends and reduce consumption of electrical and thermal energy and associated GHG emissions in new and reconstructed, primarily residential buildings in Armenia. The support to be provided by the project will combine development of a new regulation (EE building codes and certification scheme) with the training of professionals, demonstration of integrated building design approach and promotion of new EE technologies, materials and equipment. In 2004 Armenia as a member of interstate scientific-technical commission for standardization, technical norms and certification in construction of CIS countries (MNTKS) has signed the “Thermal protection of the buildings” CIS Intergovernmental building code (MSN) presented by Russian “Gosstroy”, however the mentioned code was not endorsed in Armenia (for details refer to the Project Document: www.nature-ic.am) yet. 

The options on revision of the EE building code in Armenia according to the best international practices were discussed on Interagency workgroup (established under the Ministry of Urban Development) meetings and the new recast of the MSN under development in compliance with the EU requirements was selected as the best option to be localized for Armenia (MSN-EN “Thermal Protection of Buildings”).

In the meantime, the normative and technical documentations of urban development sector of the RA do not meet contemporary safety requirements for buildings and structures, construction materials and pre-fabricates, especially those of energy efficiency. Development and adoption of respective technical regulations (i.e. “Buildings and Structures, Construction Materials and Pre-fabricates. Safety”) was selected by the Ministry of Urban Development to be a primary step in that direction. Appropriate building norms and standards are considered as evidence basis for the buildings’ safety technical regulations. Therefore, the elaboration process of the technical regulations will go hand-in-hand with the to-be-localized MSN-EN “Thermal Protection of Buildings” and other respective codes and standards.

The recruited international expert is expected to assist the national team in guiding the process of revision of building codes in Armenia aimed at introduction of best international practices on promotion of energy efficiency considerations, including:

• Sharing the international experience and best practice in developing/adapting and implementing the energy efficient building codes/regulations with a specific emphasis on related practices in CIS countries;
• Developing the new technical regulation on “Buildings safety”, with special attention on building energy efficiency issues and localization of the latest recast of the intergovernmental building code (MSN-EN) “Thermal Protection of Buildings”;

Under the overall guidance of the Environmental Governance Portfolio Analyst and direct supervision of Climate Change Related Annual Work Plans Coordinator and in close cooperation with Task Leader and group of National Consultants, the International Expert on Energy Efficient Building Codes (acting in his/her individual capacity) will be tasked with the following duties and responsibilities: 

I.    Training and consultative support

• Comparative analysis and international experience and practical implementation lessons on introduction of the EE building codes and IBDA in Eastern Europe and/or CIS countries and presentation of the outcomes to the Armenian stakeholder parties.
• Comparative analysis of current MSN and its revised version - MSN-EN with an emphasis on main changes: provide presentation to the Armenian stakeholder parties.
• International experience and practical implementation lessons on introduction of the technical regulations on buildings’ safety (parts related to energy efficiency) in Eastern Europe and/or CIS countries: provide presentation to the Armenian stakeholder parties.
• Conduct individual meetings and consultations to the Armenian stakeholders: Ministry of Urban Development (standing Inter-Agency Working Group supporting the implementation of activities planned by UNDP-GEF Project), design and expertise companies, construction companies, local expert(s)/company(ies) etc.
• Analyze and incorporate recommendations provided by key stakeholders during consultations and develop recommendations for technical regulation development as well as for MSN localization and smooth introduction in Armenia.
• Provide on-line consultations as necessary to the local team engaged in the MSN and buildings’ safety technical regulation localization/development.

List of Deliverables and Timeline:

• Deliverable 1: The analysis of the lessons learned on EE building codes and IBDA introduction in CIS/EE countries and presentation during the workshop with  deadline of 15 November 2011.
• Deliverable 2: Training package on new energy efficient building codes and technical regulations content and their application  with  deadline of 25 November 2011
• Deliverable 3: Report on practical recommendations on the new EE code adaptation and technical regulation development with deadline of 10 December 2011

Duration and Related Logistics:

The assignment is estimated to utilize a long-term agreement contract modality considering total of 12 working days (4 days desk-work and 5 days in mission and 3 days for follow-up consultations) in the period of November-December 2011. The consultant will need to travel to Yerevan, Armenia in the mentioned period. 

Please note that the short-listed candidate will be requested to provide price offer on consultancy daily fee. Travel costs (visas, economy class ticket cost, DSA and terminals) will be covered by the UNDP according to UN rates. 

• Proven experience in drafting and adaptation of EE building codes and/or related standards
• References to the codes previously drafted/adapted is an asset.
• Working experience in CIS countries in the area of EE building codes adaptation
• Strong knowledge of international best practice in the field of EE building codes.
• Good communication, analytical and writing skills

Education:

• Minimum master’s degree or equivalent) in the field of energy, engineering, architecture, or construction.
• The availability of Scientific Degree is an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 ears of working experience as a specialist in the field of construction codes and energy efficient building codes.

Language:

• Fluence in written and spoken English.