Programme Specialist - Energy at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

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Programme Specialist - Energy

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Employer: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Employment: Full-Time | Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa - Ethiopia

Posted date: 3 weeks ago

Deadline: Submission date is over

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Job Description

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. Within this context, UNDP invests in 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.

UNDP has been a leading advocate and the largest UN implementing agency for the energy transition at global, regional, and national levels. UNDP’s Energy Programme supports policy makers with high quality data to make informed decisions on selecting and designing cost-effective public instruments to promote private investment in clean energy, contributing to SDG 7 and in line with UNDP’s ‘signature solution’ on energy. UNDP has a successful track record in using policy instruments to de-risk and catalyze investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy access projects, including a series of sustainable energy initiatives specifically adapted to the needs (and resilient recovery) of fragile and crisis-impacted countries.

As per UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, energy is one of UNDP’s six signature solutions – alongside poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, and gender equality - to support countries towards three directions of change: structural transformation, leaving no one behind and resilience. UNDP aims to catalyze unprecedented action and partnerships to provide access to sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy to over 500 million people by 2030 and accelerate the transition to renewable energy through systemic changes that lead to inclusive green economies.

As per UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the first objective of UNDP is increasing energy access for those furthest behind. By speeding up investment in distributed renewable energy solutions, especially for those hardest to reach and in crisis contexts, it aims to increase access to clean and affordable energy for 500 million people by the year 2030. The Africa Mini grids Programme, for example, is improving the financial viability of renewable energy mini-grids in 21 African countries, encouraging private investment, lower tariffs and expanded service. Second, UNDP will work to accelerate the clean energy transition and access through systems changes that support inclusive, green, and resource-efficient economies. This work will capitalize on technological gains, clean energy innovations and new business models in the energy sector.

Through the Sustainable Energy Hub, UNDP will harness networks, experience and innovation to scale-up energy programming efforts and shape policy, building on the existing portfolio of energy projects, covering over 100 countries to harness clean energy and support the energy access and transition as well as on UNDP’s Climate Promise, UNDP’s Sustainable Finance Hub, and UNDP’s Digital offer.

In Ethiopia, the country faces rapidly growing energy demands, with more than half of the population still having no access to electricity. At a time, global supply problems have contributed to a rise in prices that have already created food insecurity and worsened the devastating energy crisis for millions of people in Ethiopia. The unprecedented energy crisis, therefore, underlines the need for a just energy transition, which achieves affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

UNDP in Ethiopia is currently implementing its Country Programme (CPD) for the period of 2020- 2025, which includes integrated solutions to complex, interconnected development challenges. In partnership with the Government of Ethiopia, the Country Office (CO) under programme priority 3 (strengthening resilience to shocks and crises and promoting leapfrogging to a green economy and faster adaptation to climate change) has been mobilizing efforts and resources to address development challenges in the areas of renewable energy, biodiversity and ecosystems, natural resources management and governance, climate change, disaster risk reduction, resilience building, recovery and livelihoods. Efforts are always made to scale up gender responsive support, identifying entry points to fully mainstreamed gender considerations into all relevant components.

As part of the priority in the CPD, UNDP is focusing on access to renewable, affordable and clean energy as a major catalyst for the transition to a jobs-rich green economy, ensuring that women and female-headed households benefit from this investment. UNDP is working at the three levels of policy analysis, advocacy and advisory services to de-risk and create an enabling environment for the emergence of a market at scale for renewable energy services; prototyping of business models and technologies with private sector participation; and development of bankable projects to crowd-in investment.

Hence, in order to enhance energy access in Ethiopia, leaving more than 50% of the population without access to clean and affordable energy, seedling funding was sourced from the organization's core resources as a catalytic to further expand the CO energy portfolio building on the existing engagements. This is strongly aligned with Ethiopia’s successive development plans and agendas, and National Electrification Program (NEP) of bringing electricity coverage at 100% by 2030 in which 65 percent of access provision is targeted with grid solutions and 35 percent with off-grid technologies (solar off-grid and mini-grids).

Position Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader for CRES Unit, the Programme Specialist (Energy) will support the portfolio of work, focusing on contributing to the strategic direction and effective management of the country programme, focusing on the area of energy; ensuring accountability, quality control and effective oversight of the assigned programmes/projects; providing technical support for programme/project activities related to energy; ensuring strategic partnerships and resource mobilization; facilitation and contribution to knowledge building and management. The specialist will also provide support to the expansion of the South-South and Triangular Cooperation agenda, particularly establishment of new SSTC partnerships and resource mobilization efforts, bringing on board the private investment dimension and the role of private sector.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

(1) Ensure strategic direction and effective management of the country programme, focusing on the area of energy

• Contribute to analyzing the country's political, social, and economic situation and ensure collaborative and coordinated preparation/revision of UNSCDF, CPD, Integrated Work Plan and results reporting, project documents, policy briefs, briefing notes, and other programmatic documents.
• Identify and analyze strategic programmatic areas of cooperation based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities, and operationalization of CPD with the Government and other partners of UNDP.
• Promote and facilitate innovation and innovative approaches and identification of innovative development solutions to deliver results.
• Leverage innovative approaches, resources, and collaborative efforts to enhance programme and project impact.
• Ensure that women empowerment and gender mainstreaming aspects are integrated and applied in all programmes/projects from the design to implementation.
• Ensure effective application of results-based management tools and high-quality reporting of results for internal and external audiences.
• Coordinate UNDP’s support to development institutions working towards addressing national development priorities in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.

(2) Ensure accountability, quality control and effective oversight of the assigned programmes/projects

• Provide strategic planning and oversight of the assigned programmes/projects and ensures their compliance with programme and operations policies and procedures (POPP) and quality assurance standards.
• Ensure annual work planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of assigned portfolio in line with requirements (e.g., budget revisions, approval of CDRs, etc.).
• Ensure that women empowerment and gender mainstreaming aspects are integrated and applied in all planning and budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, as well as reporting efforts in line with and using the corporate gender equality commitments, tools, and strategies.
• Facilitate and quality assure the project documentation prior to final approval by the Senior Management and ensures proper document management and update in the corporate systems and regional platforms (CPS, Quantum, Vital Signs, etc.)
• Facilitate assessment of barriers and opportunities to enable private sector engagement and participation and quality assure all required capacity and risk assessments, including private sector due diligence.

(3) Provide technical support for programme/project activities related to energy

• Provide technical inputs and advice for projects related to energy including on rural electrification and clean cooking.
• Review and revise workplans, budgets and progress reports and provide inputs to the preparation of results-based work plans.
• Provide close and regular technical backstopping to the project teams and other implementing entities in coordinating and liaising with stakeholders – including line ministries, development partners, civil society, and the private sector.
• Support the recruitment of consultants and the administration of contracts through drafting TORs, finalizing advertisements, screening, long and short listing, interviews.
• Supervise and provide quality assurance for the works conducted by international and national consultants and project partners.
• Liaise with the regional technical advisors/hub focal points on the portfolio implementation progress and advise of any deviations from the project plan.
• Share knowledge on project related to energy issues by documenting lessons learnt and best practices from project piloting and contributing to the development of knowledge-based tools (including policies, strategies, guidelines, etc.)

(4) Ensure strategic partnerships and resource mobilization incl. fostering SSTC partnerships

• Maintain and strengthen existing partnerships while identifying and cultivating new collaborations with government institutions, multilateral and bilateral agencies, the private sector, civil society, and academia to advance UNDP’s work in Ethiopia and globally, particularly under the framework of South-South Cooperation (SSC).
• Liaise with national and international partners to expand and tailor energy-related programming, ensuring alignment with Ethiopia’s national priorities, UNDP’s Strategic Plan, the Sahel Energy Offer, the Sustainable Energy Hub’s work plans, and the Ethiopia CPD.
• Explore private sector partnership opportunities, including linking SDG impact investments with local entrepreneurs and aligning private financing with UNDP’s energy agenda.
• In collaboration with relevant teams, analyze and identify partnership prospects, and provide technical support for the development of project documents, concept notes, and communication materials tailored to internal and external audiences.
• Maximize UNDP Ethiopia’s presence at global, regional, and national events by showcasing SSTC best practices, achievements, and results to build new partnerships and strengthen existing ones.
• Leverage SSTC partnerships to support knowledge exchange, capacity-building, and innovative solutions to meet Ethiopia’s development challenges.

(5) Facilitation and contribution to knowledge building and management

• Sound contribution to knowledge forums and communities of practice.
• Advocates for UNDP with Government counterparts and ensures access to best available expertise.
• Ensures the systematic documentation of best practices and lessons learned in areas of engagement, integrating them into the CO’s knowledge networks.
• Participate in national and international networks and events related to energy, environment, and climate change portfolio.
• Facilitate and prepare policy, briefs programme analysis and research.
• Organize and facilitate training for CP and partners staff on energy, environment, and climate change programme.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None.

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:

Business Direction and Strategy-System 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.

Business Management-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Business Development & Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Development for UNDP Representation: Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies.

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

Business Management & Communication:

• Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

2030 Agenda: Parternships & Sustainable Energy Hub: Energy Access

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Energy, Engineering, Environment, Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or related discipline 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.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional work experience providing policy advice and programme support in the general area of energy access, energy efficiency, renewable energy in different development contexts is required.
• Experience in project for off-grid electrification is desired.
• Proven experience in developing a pipeline of bankable projects, energy investment facilities, and resource mobilization for energy investments is desired.
• Proven track record of analytical and writing skills is desired;
• Experience working with developing countries is required.
• Experience working in Ethiopia is highly desirable.
• Previous UNDP experience is an asset.
• Experience working with a wide set of energy stakeholders, such as the private and financial sector, government, and civil society is preferred.
• Field experience in energy related projects in developing countries contexts is preferred.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

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.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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