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.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP supports countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP’s work is mostly concentrated on sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.
Anchored in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and committed to the principles of universality, equality and leaving no one behind, the UNDP overall mission is to help countries achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shocks.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.
Project background
Under the new 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. Scaled-up programming efforts on energy access and the energy transition will be coordinated under the newly established Sustainable Energy Hub (SEH), which represents parts of the organization’s systematic and programmatic approach to respond to the energy and climate change agendas. As per UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the main 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 2025. Along the same line, access to affordable and renewable energy is one of the pillars of UNDP Lesotho’s Country Progamme Document (2024-28)
The European Union Delegation (EUD) in Lesotho in partnership with the Government of Lesotho is implementing Renewable Lesotho programme aimed at contributing to a green and resilient economy by promoting energy security, access to reliable and affordable clean energy, and growth. The Renewable Lesotho aims to increase renewable energy generation capacity and energy efficiency, promote a more equitable and gender-transformative access to clean energy, and improve Lesotho’s energy sector leadership and institutional capacity. This will be achieved through implementation of the following programme components:
Component 1: Market preparation through provision of technical assistance and mobilization of private investments in renewable energies. Component 2: Granting Facility to provide results-based financing for off-grid energy solutions. Component 3: Lending Facility to provide financial support to project development.The EUD is collaborating with different development partners to implement the mentioned progamme components. The Component 2 of the Renewable Lesotho programme will be implemented by UNDP in partnership with Ministry responsible for energy. This component has a specific objective aiming at promoting a more equitable and gender-transformative access to clean energy to be achieved through the following four outputs:
Output 2.1: Establishment and operationalization of the Results-Based finance (RBF) funding mechanism. Output 2.2: Improved energy access window providing energy-efficient solutions for households. Output 2.3: Establishment of an energy application window to provide public service, commercial, and industrial facilities with renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions.In light of above, UNDP requires services of the Result-Based Financing (RBF) funding facility Manager to administer, manage and implement the RBF funding facility including other administrative activities.
Develop strategic partnerships:
Substantively contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners; Cultivate and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national and regional stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support and ensure accurate interpretation of project objectives and promote inclusive project implementation; Substantively contribute to project communications and visibility efforts. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies; Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and EUD, and the partners; Support resource mobilization efforts and project development.Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set:
Provide leadership and technical advice to the project in developing baselines and indicators for project monitoring and evaluation and coordinate the finalization of detailed results framework. Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting; Lead the implementation of project monitoring, evaluation, and results framework to identify plan deviations and other problems; and make needed course corrections within agreed upon tolerances to achieve results. Conduct field visits as required to verify project activities relative to stated targets and provide regular field updates to UNDP management; Lead the development and conduct of mid-term and annual reviews, and end line assessment; and coordinate the conduct of independent evaluations. Organize project review and evaluation meetings. Follow up on the implementation of decisions, recommendations, and course corrections; Manage and monitor project risks, including social and environmental risks, initially identified and submit new risks to appropriate project governing bodies for consideration and decision on possible actions; Coordinate the preparation of corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and EU requirements. Ensure provision of ad hoc reports and information requested by relevant entities; Guide and supervise all UNDP and Government reporting requirements and ensuring policy-based alignment between project and the Government of Lesotho; Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project.Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas:
Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia; Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application; 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; Ensure capacity building for the RBF to be transitioned to the Government of Lesotho; Promote advocacy for EUD and UNDP work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders and, EUD and UNDP communications staff.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Specific Tasks:
The specific tasks expected of the successful Project Manager are divided into two distinct stages; RBF preparation and RBF Administration. The RBF Preparation is a fundamental exercise and stage for the RBF manager to ensure establishment of all the necessary structures, tools, processes and guidelines that will collectively ensure successful administration of the RBF facility. The second stage is the RBF Administration to indicate how the RBF will be run including the “call for proposals”, evaluation processes, contracting, disbursements, verification etc.
RBF Preparation:
Indicate the organizational structure and associated responsibilities – this would include approval structures; Detail how the fund will work, from applications to disbursements to verification of key performance indicators; Develop RBF Operation Manual covering subsidy/incentive delivery/financing modality, incentive eligibility, application process and procedures such as concept note, feasibility/business plan evaluation, etc., and all required templates and forms; Guidelines and procedures for evaluation and approval of off-grid applications for both technology windows of the RBF facility; Develop the Call for Proposals (CfP) document and selection criteria for participating developers. Define a CfP process including dates of published CfPs, response times, evaluation process, contract negotiations, etc; Develop disbursement and financial management processes including required forms and templates; Develop procurement guidelines that will be approved by the UNDP and Ministry responsible for Energy; Develop institutional, operational and financial management frameworks for transition of RBF facility into future national energy fund; Clarify how subsidy/financial incentives (Results Based Grants) will be offered and managed.RBF Administration:
Participate in addressing RBF subsidy/incentive and application with project developers; Conduct orientation seminars on RBF /subsidy/incentive for project developers; Manage and coordinate the technical verification process of RBF subsidy/incentive applications, Administer disbursement of RBF grants; Monitor and verify the performance of the RBF supported off-grid solutions in collaboration with the Department of Energy team; Participate in management meetings to facilitate linking and promoting the agenda of RBF facility programme and reporting on RBF management; Detail the Monitoring and evaluation process and develop any templates as required.Institutional Arrangement
The RBF Project Manager works under the general supervision of UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, and under day-to-day supervision of UNDP Programme Specialist responsible for Energy and Environment portfolio and collaborates closely with Department of Energy. The incumbent is also expected to closely work with programme and Operations team of the country office and with wider stakeholders.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Strategic Thinking:
Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions; Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.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.Knowledge Facilitation:
Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.Project Management:
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.Communication:
Ability to 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.Relationship Management:
Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.Required Language(s):
Fluency in the UN language of the duty station is required. Fluency in the national language of the duty station is required for local personnel. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable. DisclaimerThis vacancy is archived.