Green Energy Specialist

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Office/Unit/Project Description 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office of Information Technology and Management (ITM) is the organization’s primary provider of ICT systems and Green Energy services to a global network of above 155 Country Offices and UNDP partners worldwide. The mission of ITM is to develop Smart Facilities which guarantees efficient, innovative and sustainable management of technologies for UN facilities and other partners, in consistency with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among other technologies, we are committed to offer a framework of best practices, and to deliver resilient, highly available and sustainable green energy solutions and services that enable innovation to flourish throughout the organization. A high degree of integration and inter-operability of different technologies underpins the success of Smart Facilities across the organisation.

Our primary motivations are to accomplish the transition to greener technologies and to increase connectivity in challenging locations, in pursuit of “leaving no one behind”. On a broader level, we do this to maintain organizational productivity using technology, increase stakeholder satisfaction, enhance value-for-money, and deploy projects that serve as a showcase to influence development at local, country or regional level. 

The ITM office in Copenhagen is expanding the team to cover all respective green energy services which include, but not limited to, Vehicle-Grid Integration (VGI), solar PV installation, energy efficiency, training and capacity building, and waste management. The services are aligned with the organization’s Digital transformation agenda and the Smart Facilities initiative.

Scope of Work 

Under the supervision of the UNDP ITM Green Energy Team Leader, the Green Energy Specialist will perform the following tasks:

Lead Operations & Maintenance (O&M)

Provision of operations and maintenance services which entail online monitoring of live systems, overseeing corrective and preventive maintenance, attending to system performance issues, onboarding newly commissioned systems, production of annual reports, and ensuring improvement in uptime of commissioned PV systems.

Ensure O & M Service Enhancement

Identifying, proposing, and spearheading acquisition and/or development of tools, processes, and services for value-addition to the O & M service with the aim of achieving high client satisfaction and efficiency in service provision. Enhancement of the O&M service should achieve high value-proposition to attract more subscribers.

Lead Energy Assessment & Training:

• Lead and play a critical role in energy assessment in assigned locations earmarked for installation of solar PV systems. The bulk of the exercise will be conducted remotely in liaison with an assigned focal point on site. 
• Using provided tools and procedures, conduct data analysis of data collected through Internet of Things (IoT) sensors deployed in Country Offices and information collected through an online App. Linked to energy assessment, conduct hands-on training and capacity building for field-based participants, including webinars for Country Office focal points.

Provision of technical advice on Solar PV Implementation.

Provide technical expertise and project management for large scale and/or multi-site solar PV projects, including quality assurance measures for resilient installations. This includes review of proposed technical designs, keeping track of implementation status of each assigned project, and coordinating activities of all stakeholders which may include focal points from government. 

Promote Adoption of Green Energy

Take initiative and being proactive in identifying opportunities for implementation of green energy solutions and services in Country Offices. This includes taking advantage of opportunities to make presentations or conduct webinars for different audiences that may benefit from ITM green energy services, creating business cases for presentation to management of potential project sites.

Lead Energy Efficiency

Lead in creating business cases for energy efficiency measures in assigned offices, including providing technical expertise in implementation of the identified measures. 

Play an active role in refining processes and procedures for effective support to Country Offices, in line with ISO9001 Quality Management System.

Ensure promotion of eMobility.

Actively participate in efforts towards adoption of eMobility across Country Offices and provide technical support in acquisition, installation, and operation of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), particularly grid-integrated chargers.

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

Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.

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

Institutional Arrangement

• The Green Energy Specialist will be directly reporting to the Global ICT & Green Energy Specialist 
• The Specialist is expected to report project progress in weekly and monthly Green Energy Team meetings 

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core Competencies

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 competencies

Required Education, Experience, Skills and Competencies

Minimum Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Green Energy Engineering or related field is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Minimum years of relevant work experience

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in a technical capacity, particularly solar PV systems, with at least 2 years in a similar environment is required.

Required/Desired skills 

• Knowledge and expertise in designing and sizing hybrid and off-grid solar PV systems using software packages like HOMER, PV*Sol, PVSyst, etc. is an asset. 
• Expertise in solar PV operation and support, including requirements of regular maintenance is desired. 
• Experience in on-site technical assessment of solar PV systems is an asset
• UN/NGO experience is an added advantage

Required Language (s): 

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of one or more additional UN language will be an added advantage. 

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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