Back Director - Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA)

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMCO) is recruiting for this position: Director, Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) based in Nairobi, Kenya (Family Duty Station).

Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA):

The Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) is an African country-led international partnership that brings together governments and stakeholders working to accelerate the deployment of renewables to enhance energy access, enable green industrialisation, and improve economic and societal resilience. Launched by African countries and international partners during the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi in September 2023, the Partnership promotes a holistic approach to the energy transition, provides political leadership, mobilises action and commitments from public and private entities, and coordinates international efforts for meaningful systemic change. APRA’s membership currently comprises Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. As its foundational phase comes to an end, APRA is expanding to engage more countries with high ambitions for renewable energy and green industrialisation in Africa and beyond.

By fostering a strategic transition to renewable energy, APRA aims to achieve several key outcomes:

Leveraging resources for industrialisation: Recognising the wealth of renewable and mineral resources in Africa, the Partnership seeks to unlock a pivotal opportunity to drive green industrialisation in APRA countries. This localised industrial effort, fuelled by renewables, can accelerate domestic development and prosperity while positioning Africa as a central player in the global energy transition.

Collaborative approaches and tailored solutions: APRA’s approach is grounded in a deep commitment to collaboration, guided by the leadership and vision of African nations. By rapidly scaling up all forms of renewable energy, the Partnership offers a comprehensive framework that integrates political, technical and financial elements, to address and overcome significant barriers currently faced by participating African nations. Recognising their diversity, the Partnership promotes the development of tailored strategies, enabling each country to implement solutions that align with its unique context and specific needs.

APRA Implementation Office:

To accelerate and optimise the implementation of APRA on the ground and enhance its operational and programme management capacities, UNOPS has been invited by the country partners of APRA to establish the APRA Implementation Office. The APRA Implementation Office will work alongside the International Renewables Energy Agency (IRENA), which serves as the technical, coordination and political arm of APRA. Jointly, UNOPS and IRENA will work under the guidance of the APRA Steering Committee to strengthen APRA’s ability to respond to the growing needs of its African constituents as required by their distinct energy transition trajectories. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the APRA Implementation Office will focus on the provision of efficient and fit-for-purpose fund- and programme management services in accordance with UNOPS policies, processes and procedures, and in line with APRA work plan and strategic priorities as approved by the Steering Committee. Crucially, the APRA Implementation Office will lead the development of the APRA strategy and workplan, operations, fund and financial management, procurement, grant support, admin, travel and miscellaneous services (as required for the implementation of the work plan) and the development and setting up of suitable mechanisms for the effective management and disbursement of grants to implementing partners, all in accordance with UNOPS policies, processes and procedures.

Functional Responsibilities:

The Director will lead the APRA Implementation Office and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Office. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and executing the overall strategy, translating it into actionable work plans for periodic review and approval by the Steering Committee, and ensuring effective implementation. Key responsibilities include representing the APRA Implementation Office in high-level forums, leading resource mobilization efforts, and advocating for APRA's mission and goals to external stakeholders. The Director will also guide APRA’s strategic expansion by engaging new members and partnerships. Additionally, the Director will oversee all performance and operational aspects of the APRA Implementation Office, ensuring the delivery of high-quality outputs. A core part of this role involves leading collaboration with IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) to align APRA’s objectives with global energy initiatives.

The incumbent shall be accountable to the Executive Director of UNOPS, or their delegate, for administrative issues relating to the administrative effectiveness and efficiency of the APRA Implementation Office in accordance with relevant UNOPS regulations, rules and procedures, and to the Steering Committee for the effective implementation of the functions of the APRA Implementation office. IRENA will provide technical advice to the Director, as needed.

More specifically, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

Summary of functions:

3. Knowledge management and innovation

4. Partnership Management and Governance

Building and managing multidisciplinary and multicultural teams is required.

Building and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships is required.

Working on energy transition and climate action is required.

Working with developing countries is required.

Professional experience dealing with topics relating to the clean energy transition, climate change adaptation and mitigation and familiarity with the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement is required.
Language Requirements

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA)
Contract level: D1/ ICS13
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability
For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx
Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya is a Family Station.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.

For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.