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.
The United Nations Development Programme (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 is the leading United Nations organization 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. The Fiji multi-country office covers ten countries including Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu as well as provides support to regional initiatives.
UNDP in the Pacific has developed its multi-country programme document (MCPD, 2023-2027) to guide its interventions in the next five years in full alignment and directly to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, 2023–27). The Office covers 10 countries in the Pacific with an extensive portfolio which has grown over time. The UNSDCF and UNDP MCPD are designed in full alignment with the 2030 agenda, Samoa Pathway, and 2050 Blue Content Strategy, which is endorsed by the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) among others. The UNDP Pacific Office next five-year plan strategic priorities are encapsulated under three outcome areas: (i) Planet, (ii) Prosperity, and (iii) Peace.
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. As per UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2022-2025, and the new MCPD (2023-2027), UNDP Pacific office aims to increase 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.
This position is part of the ‘‘Promoting Green Transformation in the Pacific Region towards Net-zero and Climate-resilient Development’’ regional Project, managed and implemented by UNDP. The Project is funded by the generous support of the Government of Japan under the Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB). The project will contribute to green transformation to achieve a clean energy future and increase resilience to climate change impact in four small islands countries, namely: Vanuatu, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and also has a regional component to provide technical and oversight support.
In Vanuatu, as part of the regional project, this project aims to achieve the following outcome: ‘‘By 2024 ensure eight additional communities’ access to green energy that contributes to achieving the National Energy Road Map (NERM) target i.e., 100% electrification with Renewable Energy by 2030’’. The target would replace nearly all fossil fuel requirements for electricity generation in the country and contribute to reduction of emissions in the energy sector by 72Gg by 2030. To achieve this, the project seeks to install Pico Hydro stations in selected sites to generate clean energy and strengthen the capacity of various stakeholders in operation and maintenance of the newly installed systems to ensure sustainability.
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager of Vanuatu Green Transformation Project, and Team leader of Resilience and Climate Change unit in Suva, Fiji, and working closely with the MCO oversight and Performance unit, the Technical Specialist works closely with the national authorities working in the thematic area of the project, the donor community, and other UNDP programmes and projects in the country. The Technical Specialist works with the project experts and counterparts of the Government beneficiary institution(s), as well as engages with other national institutions, international organizations, and other relevant actors
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager of Vanuatu Green Transformation Project, and Team leader of Resilience and Climate Change unit in Suva, Fiji, and working closely with the MCO oversight and Performance unit, the Technical Specialist will provide technical oversight of Vanuatu component of the regional project in close collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, Department of Energy in Vanuatu.
Technical Specialist will provide technical oversight and support in delivering the project outputs as outlined in the project document, to the required standards of quality and taking into account the implications of time and cost of Vanuatu component of the regional project in close collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, Department of Energy in Vanuatu, counterparts, partners and relevant stakeholders. Highest standards of integrity, discretion and commitment to UNDP principles are essential as well as ability to meet deadlines and maintain high-quality of outputs working under pressure.
In particular, the Technical Specialist will:
Provide top quality technical advisory services.
Provide cutting-edge policy advice in the thematic area of the project and facilitate policy dialogues with partners, promoting UNDP thought leadership and advocacy work. Establish advocacy networks at the country level and linked to international networks. Contribute to relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns that are implemented with key partners. Contribute to the analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the context of the project and advise the UNDP CO management on issues related to the thematic area of the project. Contribute to the setting of technical standards based on regional and global best practices in the thematic area of the project. Participate in the preparation of project reviews when required and provide technical support when required and provide technical support.Contribute to effective implementation of programme/project activities aimed at local economic development.
Provide technical inputs, working in collaboration with the Project Manager, in planning and effectively implementing project activities within the scope of approved budgets, workplans and other project documents and in alignment with UNDP’s programmatic priorities and goals. Supervise and coordinate the work of the project team and consultants. Provide guidance and support in the identification and sourcing of technical expertise, including preparation of TORs and evaluation of experts. Provide timely and quality technical advice and guidance to PMU for the project implementation in line with UNDP’s rules and regulations, and UNDP Project Operational Policies and Procedures. Review and update the feasibility reports of the demonstration projects in close coordination with DoE. Advice on improving capacities for project identification, feasibility study, detailed design, manufacturing, construction, installation, operation and management through development of manuals, capacity building activities, trainings, guidelines etc.; Conduct a study on identification of technical challenges and opportunities in design, installation and post installation service of pico-hydro. Develop specifications, in close collaboration with DoE, VuV which comply for both grid interconnected and stand-alone operation for pico-hydro project. Contribute to preparation of detailed feasibility reports of identified projects in close coordination with the DoE and VuV. Prepare Bill of Quantity, cost estimate, specifications etc. Provide necessary procurement support for selection of civil contractor, electro-mechanical contractor and other activities. Conduct on-site construction supervision, assist in testing and commissioning and provide post installation support Provide support on community mobilization in close coordination with local government and other stakeholders involved in promotion of Pico hydropower. Contribute to formulation of policy, national codes, guideline and standard for Pico hydro in close collaboration with DoE.Support to develop O&M modalities.
Identify and seek corrective measures for emerging problems. Manage and monitor project financial resources; and analyze project progress to identify risks and other implementation problems. Ensure timely collection of data for reporting on project activities, outputs, and outcomes; and substantially contribute to the preparation of narrative and financial progress reports, including donor reports. Provide technical guidance on risk mitigation measures to address implementation problems. Update risk logs. Advise and support National Project Manager in project monitoring and evaluation activities, as well as gender mainstreaming activities as and when required. Coordinate and participate in quality control mechanisms, seeking to improve the technical quality of the project outputs, products, publications, and policy discussion papers and briefs. Preparation of knowledge management documents for completed projects. Carry out other activities to ensure the success of the Pico hydropower activities.Contribute to strategic partnership building and resource mobilization.
Establish and maintain a strategic understanding of and engagement with all the relevant institutions, including establishing contact and developing strategic partnerships with other UN agencies, government institutions, donors, NGOs, IFIs, the private sector, academia, civil society, and other stakeholders and beneficiaries at the national, regional, and local levels. Participate in meetings with donors, prepare and deliver presentations of project results, and follow up with relevant counterparts if requested by the supervisor. Implement resource mobilization strategies to achieve project outcomes that include facilitating liaisons with potential financing agencies and institutions to strengthen relationships and raise funds. Identify new funding opportunities for furthering the project ideas.Capacity building and project management unit support
Provide technical support to the project manager during board meetings and technical working group discussions. Develop, manage and implement Capacity Development Plan to Strengthened capacity of national and local government in operation and maintenance of the newly installed systems with close collaboration with close collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, Department of Energy in Vanuatu. Contribute to the capacity building in terms of basic technical knowledge required by the project management unit for implementation of project outputs and activities. Identify strategic opportunities for the project to achieve greater development impact through partnership building and adaptive management. Provide technical support to the National Project Manager to manage and monitor project risks, noted in the SES. Provide technical assistance support and advice to the Partners/Stakeholders, as required. Develop and carry out a personal learning plan.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
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.People Management competencies:
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy
Strategic 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; 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 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.Business Management
Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals. Risk management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.Partnership Management
Strategic Engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.2030 Agenda: Planet
Nature, Climate and Energy: Energy: access to energy: Renewable Energy Required Skills and Experience: Education: Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in relevant field such as Engineering, Energy, Physics, or field related to thematic area 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 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in providing technical advice, conducting research, formulating policies, and/or developing and managing complex projects related to Renewable energy, Off-grid solutions and Pico/Micro Hydro Mini-Grids. Experience in providing policy advisory services to governments related to sustainable energy and energy planning is required. Experience with the design and/or implementation of development projects to promote energy investment is required. Experience in fostering networks and partnerships and ability to provide coordination with the UN Agencies, international and other organizations present in the sector is an asset. Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Proven experience in in the design, engineering and installation of pico-hydro/ small micro-hydro systems and associated micro/mini grids, as well as various types of solar PV systems. Extensive knowledge regarding best price and quality sourcing of pico-/ small micro-hydro equipment and parts. Connections with low cost/ high quality suppliers of pico/micro-hydro and solar PV systems and component parts is preferred. Expertise and proven experience in the setting up of appropriate standards (energy performance and quality) for various types of pico/micro-hydro systems, various types of solar PV systems, and mini-grid distribution systems. Experience with project planning and consulting, including the effective provision of substantive leadership and guidance, oversight, monitoring, and reporting for projects/programmes with similar scale, scope, and complexity. Experience working with a wide set of energy stakeholders, such as the private and financial sector, government, and civil society is preferred. Good communication, facilitation, and coordination skills. Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of portfolio work. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.Required Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Disclaimer