Support develop a MARG Project Repository using Google Sites & Apps Script.

UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

For five decades, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been a leading advocate for the environment, a steadfast partner and a trusted adviser with a mission to inform, enable and inspire nations and peoples to improve their quality of life – without compromising that of future generations.

UNEP monitors the state and health of the planet, ensures that science remains at the centre of decision-making processes, and that environmental rule of law continues to underpin global environmental governance.

Together with its partners, UNEP has made significant progress, yet there is no denying that today, environmental challenges have reached unprecedented levels. Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production have led to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.

The science is clear: human health, prosperity, equity and peace are all under threat. We must urgently transform our economies and societies – and our relationship with nature.

UNEP is here to lead this transformation with its 193 Member States, and in partnership with other UN agencies and stakeholders. With its experience, expertise, dynamic programmes and forward-thinking strategy, and with its dedicated staff, UNEP is uniquely positioned to be your partner in addressing and reversing the triple planetary crisis.

As UNEP relies on voluntary contributions for 95 per cent of the funding, the work is made possible by partners who fund and champion its mission.

In collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), UNEP supports initiatives that promote sustainable and environmentally responsible development.

MARG (Mainstreaming Alliance for Green and Resilient Buildings) is a collaboration between UNEP & IFC. Under this initiative, a key deliverable is a Green Buildings Project Repository jointly developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The repository is intended to provide a structured and accessible platform for organising, presenting and exploring information on green-building projects and related initiatives.

To enable the repository to be maintained and updated efficiently at minimal cost, the platform will use the Google Workspace ecosystem. Project information will be maintained through a structured data repository in Google Drive/Google Sheets, while Google Apps Script will provide the application logic and data interface. The user-facing repository will be developed as an interactive front end embedded within Google Sites using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

The assignment will focus on developing a functional prototype of this architecture, including project search and filtering, project presentation and other agreed interactive features. Where technically feasible, the volunteer will also explore integration of the Gemini API through Google Apps Script to enable AI-assisted project discovery, summarisation and natural-language interaction with repository data.

The objective is to create a functional, visually coherent and maintainable repository that can subsequently be managed and updated by the IFC–UNEP team without requiring significant ongoing development costs.

App and software development

We are looking for an Online Volunteer to develop a functional prototype of the MARG Green Buildings Project Repository using Google Sites, Google Apps Script and embedded web technologies.

Working under the guidance of the designated IFC–UNEP focal point, the Online Volunteer will: • Review the agreed MARG repository structure, project data fields and functional requirements; • Design the technical architecture connecting the Google Drive/Google Sheets data repository, Google Apps Script and Google Sites front end; • Develop the repository's HTML, CSS and JavaScript interface for embedding within Google Sites; • Develop Google Apps Script functionality to retrieve, structure and serve project information from the repository; • Implement agreed search, filtering, categorisation and project-detail functionality; • Develop a user-friendly and visually coherent interface using Google Sites embed elements and lightweight web technologies; • Where technically feasible, integrate the Gemini API through Google Apps Script to enable AI-assisted project discovery, project summarisation and/or natural-language queries based on the repository's available information; • Test the repository for functionality, usability and basic error handling and incorporate feedback from the IFC–UNEP team; • Document the technical architecture, data structure, Apps Script components and basic instructions required for the team to update and maintain the repository.

The single deliverable of the assignment will be a functional and tested MARG Green Buildings Project Repository prototype, embedded in Google Sites, with its underlying data and application components structured for low-cost future maintenance by the IFC–UNEP team.

Candidates should have basic-to-intermediate experience in web development and an interest in developing lightweight digital solutions using Google Workspace and web technologies.

Required skills: • Working knowledge of HTML, CSS and JavaScript; • Basic-to-intermediate experience with Google Apps Script; • Experience working with Google Sheets or structured spreadsheet-based data; • Understanding of APIs, JSON and basic web data integration; • Ability to develop simple search, filtering and data-display functionality; • Basic understanding of responsive web design and user interface development; • Good problem-solving and troubleshooting skills; • Good written and verbal English. • Ability to responsibly use AI.

Desirable skills: • Experience developing applications using Google Apps Script and Google Sites; • Experience using Google Drive/Google Sheets as a lightweight data backend; • Experience with REST APIs and UrlFetchApp; • Familiarity with Gemini API or other generative AI APIs; • Experience creating interactive web interfaces using embedded HTML/JavaScript; • Basic experience documenting and handing over small software applications.

Candidates do not need prior experience with every technology listed above. Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and independently develop a small functional web application will be considered an advantage.

English, Level: Fluent, Required

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