Energy Specialist (Open to all applicants)

Background

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

The UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition (the “UNDP Rome Centre”) is the key platform for the strategic engagement between UNDP and the Italian Government. It focuses on the critical policy areas of climate finance, youth engagement in climate action, and energy for development. These objectives are pursued through the effective implementation of its three main programmes:

• PISTA (Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance) is a climate finance mobilization facility based at the UNDP Rome Centre. Its overarching objective is to narrow the gap between the climate finance available and what is needed in developing economies, thus supporting their decarbonization efforts and transition to climate-resilient economies. PISTA provides technical assistance grants to prepare large, impactful climate change mitigation and adaptation Projects in developing economies and make them bankable and ready for investment. PISTA further connects such projects with interested financiers and aims to unlock blended finance from national and international financing instruments.
• Youth4Climate promotes youth engagement in climate action, contributing to SDG13. Youth4Climate supports the implementation of youth-led and youth-inclusive solutions to environmental and climate challenges, both financially and through capacity development. It also gives young people around the world who are committed to fighting climate change a platform to engage with policymakers and global leaders.
• Energy For Growth (“E4G”) aims to promote access to sustainable energy in developing countries, contributing to SDG7. The goal of the initiative is to assist partner countries in unlocking finance to scale up the diffusion of clean energy solutions, increase access to energy and boost the energy transition. E4G aims to foster the mobilization of public and private capital toward projects aligned with the international policy agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. It does so by connecting UNDP's capacity and connections in emerging economies and developing countries with the public-private ecosystem of Italy and other G7 countries, in the crucial sector of energy.

The Energy Specialist will provide technical support to the UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition across its key programmatic areas, with a particular focus on the Energy for Growth (E4G) initiative. The Specialist will contribute high-level technical expertise on renewable energy technologies, project design and implementation, data collection and analysis, and feasibility assessments. Under the supervision of the Rome Centre, the Energy Specialist will offer advisory support to UNDP Country Offices (COs) engaged in energy access and energy transition projects on the ground. The Specialist will also contribute to the Centre’s broader agenda to promote innovation, sustainable energy technologies, and the use of data to advance inclusive and just energy transitions. This includes expanding access to clean energy, particularly for vulnerable, poor, and displaced communities, and enabling progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through targeted energy interventions.

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the Climate and Energy Specialist, the Energy Specialist will serve as the primary technical focal point for energy-related matters within the UNDP Rome Centre. The Specialist will provide expert input on sustainable energy technologies and systems, supporting the design, assessment, and implementation of clean energy solutions across E4G partner countries. In addition to this core technical advisory role, the Specialist will contribute to the coordination and technical alignment of activities among participating UNDP Country Offices. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the following key areas.

Lead, manage, coordinate, and develop effective project planning and implementation:

• Provide high-level technical expertise and advisory support on sustainable energy technologies, with a focus on decentralized renewable energy systems and clean cooking solutions, in support of project design and implementation of Energy for Growth in Africa.
• Act as the technical focal point for the Rome Centre on energy technology matters, advising on system design, feasibility studies, technology options, technical standards, and quality assurance across projects.
• Support the coordination of the initiative’s technical activities across target countries, ensuring consistency, alignment, and the integration of technical best practices across UNDP Country Office interventions
• Scale-up UNDP activities in the energy sector supporting in particular on the implementation of UNDP Rome Centre pipeline of projects.
• Identify additional opportunities for projects in sustainable energy solutions, focusing on the most vulnerable communities that are farthest behind

Develop strategic partnerships:

• Substantively contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners
• Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDPand the partners.
• Support resource mobilization efforts and project development
• Participate and support the organization of stakeholder meetings and related events to enhance the impact of Rome Center outreach.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas:

• Facilitate knowledge sharing and technical coordination between initiative countries, contributing to peer learning, replication of successful models, and alignment with UNDP’s global energy strategy.
• Develop and contribute to technical documents, including policy briefs, concept notes, and design guidelines, to guide energy access and energy transition programming and provide technical backstopping to UNDP Country Offices.
• Analyze data and collate information
• Undertake visits to target countries, project sites as appropriate. Participate to conferences and events as required under the Rome Centre project implementation.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary forthe efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement:

The Energy Specialist will report to the Climate and Energy Specialist in alignment with the UNDP Rome center global strategy and will work closely with the UNDP Country offices as well as with the Sustainable Energy Hub team and related actors of the UNDP energy offer. 
 

Competencies

Core:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3

• Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3

• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical:

Business Management - Partnerships Management:

• Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

2030 Agenda: Partnerships - Sustainable Energy Hub:

• Energy access

Business Management - Operations Management:

• Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organisation’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms

Business Direction and Strategy - Systems Thinking:

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Agenda: Partnerships - Sustainable Energy Hub:

• Energy: Energy Efficiency

Partnership management - Resource mobilization:

• Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements

Communications - Advocacy strategy and implementation:

• Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change 
   

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Energy Solutions, Engineering, Environment, or other related fields is required, Or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional work experience.

• (a) in developing investment opportunities and projects in the field of energy in a developing country context; or
• (b) in the provision of analytical, advisory and technical assistance in energy programming

Required skills and competencies:

• Technical proficiency on energy technologies, green energy solutions, Mini grids, solar systems, clean cooking technology or any other related field.
• Demonstrated ability to work across multiple offices and geographies and in coordination with a pool of colleagues based in a different location.

Desired additional skills and competencies:

• Demonstrated experience in a technical advisory role rolling out projects in multiple countries
• Demonstrated ability to develop knowledge products and outreach material related to energy technology, energy policy and project implementation
• Experience in the active engagement with multiple public and private stakeholders in Africa in the energy sector
• Experience with the work of multilateral, bilateral and civil society development partners including donors, foundations, international organization and international financial institutions (i.e. UN agencies, World Bank, African Union, African Development Bank, European Commission, European Investment Bank)
• Expertise on designing and implementing multi-national projects and policies
• Proven experience and knowledge of multi-discipline solutions and services related to energy projects (renewable in particular).
• Project management experience in leading energy projects and experience in business development, proposal, budget development and project finance
• Demonstrated ability to identify and assess the feasibility of an energy project.

Required Language:

• Fluency in English is required.
   

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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