Housing Accessibility Policy and Design Specialist

The consultant will support the development of the Accessible-Ready Housing Design Compendium, conduct applied research on accessibility standards and policies in Canada and internationally, and ensure project delivery and workflow in collaboration with the project team. The role involves consolidating research outputs and knowledge products to strengthen the Accessible-Ready Housing project and contribute to global exchange of Canadian expertise on accessible housing and universal design.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of the Accessible-Ready Housing Design Compendium, including annotated typologies, annotated prototype layouts (low-rise, mid-rise, modular), spatial strategies, technical diagrams, costing analysis and design rationale.
• Conduct applied research on housing accessibility standards, design and policy, including comparative analysis of relevant international precedents, accessibility policies, regulatory frameworks, and adoption mechanisms across international and Canadian jurisdictions, identifying transferable approaches for the Canadian context.
• Provide technical and analytical support to the development of policy and standards analysis related to housing accessibility and the Canada Office’s overall research and knowledge management agenda on accessible housing and universal design.
• Contribute to the development of architectural typologies and site/building/unit-level spatial strategies aligned with accessible-ready design principles and recommendations synthesized from desk review (Phase 1).
• Support the integration of Accessible-Ready Standard requirements into spatial layouts, design criteria, and technical annotations.
• Support developing and integrating adaptation pathways demonstrating how Accessible-Ready dwellings can respond to diverse or successively changing accessibility needs.
• Contribute to collaboration with OPDs and other experts with lived-experience to ensure prototypes reflect intersectional accessibility needs across diverse disability groups during project workshops and consultations.
• Contribute to meetings, workshops, and consultations in case cities to validate design concepts and gather feedback.
• Contribute to knowledge products, including visualizations, diagrams, and accessible formats for dissemination at project workshops and national or international events.
• Prepare regular progress reports and contribute to the Canada Office’s housing programme and global knowledge exchange.
• Support project management, knowledge management, coordination, and administrative tasks.
• Develop and maintain knowledge management tools, capacity-building materials, training materials and webinars on housing accessibility.
• Contribute to strategic partnerships and alliances with academic institutions, housing design and standards agencies, Indigenous and community-based organizations, and international partners.
• Support monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on housing research outputs and knowledge products, ensuring that accessibility considerations are reflected.
• Contribute to resource mobilization and proposal development efforts related to housing research, innovation, and accessible housing solutions.
• Support the integration of Canadian innovation and expertise on culturally adequate and accessible housing into global knowledge exchange and policy dialogue platforms.
• Provide support preparing inputs for major global events, including the World Urban Forum, the High-Level Political Forum and other key international convenings.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in architecture, urban planning, housing design, or a closely related field, with demonstrated experience translating accessibility, adaptable-housing, or universal-design requirements into architectural drawings and spatial strategies is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Persons with lived experiences are strongly encouraged to apply for the position.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the Canadian housing, planning, and/or building regulatory context (federal, provincial, and municipal jurisdictional divisions), including awareness of how accessibility standards are adopted and enforced across Canadian jurisdictions is desirable.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in evidence-based design research, housing typology development, and the production of clear architectural diagrams and technical guidance materials is required.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct applied research on housing adequacy — including cultural adequacy, accessibility, and climate-smart housing — and to synthesize and present complex information in formats accessible to policymakers, practitioners, and diverse audiences is required.
• Experience in accessible, adaptable, and/or universal housing design approaches and relevant Canadian or international standards and precedents, analyzing and applying frameworks or standards related to accessible, inclusive, and culturally responsive housing design and policy is desirable.
• Strong report writing, reviewing, and editorial skills are highly desirable.
• Progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in the field of housing systems, sustainable urban development, and knowledge management is desirable.
• Experience working with persons with disabilities and their organizations, Indigenous or community-led housing initiatives, or in culturally diverse contexts, is an asset.
• Experience working in the United Nations Common System or other international organizations is desirable.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Proficiency and/or fluency in French is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is considered an asset.
• Applicants must be Canadian residents or citizens or have permission to work in Canada.

Skills

• Architectural Design
• Urban Planning
• Housing Project Design
• Accessibility Standards
• Universal Design
• Adaptable Housing
• Architectural Drawings
• Spatial Strategies
• Evidence-Based Design Research
• Housing Typology Development
• Technical Guidance Materials
• Applied Research
• Housing Adequacy
• Cultural Adequacy
• Climate-Smart Housing
• Report Writing
• Policy Analysis
• Knowledge Management
• Canadian Housing Regulations
• Inclusive Housing Design

Languages

English, French