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Background
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading organization for sustainable development within the UN system, acting as the key integrator to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP's work spans headquarters, regional, and country levels, leveraging local expertise alongside global insights to deliver effective advocacy and solutions. The Global Policy Network (GPN) is central to this effort, mobilizing technical expertise to support UNDP's strategic objectives and six \"signature solutions.\"
Energy is one of UNDP’s six signature solutions, alongside poverty reduction, governance, resilience, environment, and gender equality. These solutions guide countries towards three key goals: structural transformation, leaving no one behind, and resilience. UNDP's energy strategy aligns with SDG 7, focusing on three action areas: increasing access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy; improving energy efficiency; and expanding the share of renewable energy in the energy mix.
To achieve these objectives, UNDP employs integrated interventions, including policy reform, technology adoption, financial solutions, delivery systems, capacity development, community mobilization, and awareness-raising. These efforts aim to eliminate barriers to sustainable energy investments and facilitate energy transitions globally. As outlined in its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, UNDP aims to provide access to sustainable energy for an additional 500 million people by 2025 and accelerate renewable energy adoption to foster inclusive green economies.
The \"Energy for Growth in Africa\" initiative is a key part of this broader strategy, launched in collaboration with the G7 to build on the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnerships initiative. This program identifies clean energy projects in Africa that face difficulties securing financing and provides support through de-risking instruments, making them more attractive to international investors. By pooling and vetting these projects, the initiative reduces perceived investor risk through scale effects and leverages concessional catalytic capital to maximize private sector investment.
The initiative is tasked to operate in 10 African countries – Congo Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauretania, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tunisia and Zambia – with plans for further expansion. It focuses on markets with limited access to commercial finance and coordinates with G7 and other multilateral efforts to integrate complementary actions, streamline funding, and enhance the delivery of de-risking instruments and financial resources to projects in the \"Energy for Growth\" pipeline.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition and the Congo Brazzaville Country office are seeking an Energy Specialist to advance UNDP's mission in Africa through the \"Energy for Growth in Africa\" program, as part of the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership. This specialist will play a key role in implementing the partnership’s actions in Congo Brazzaville and coordinating with the broader initiative and key partners.
The Energy Specialist will serve as a focal point of the UNDP Rome Centre’s Energy for Growth initiative. S/he will be based at UNDP Country Office in Brazzaville, Congo Republic. The primary focus of this role will be to identify clean energy projects looking for finance. This will take place in close strategic coordination with the existing sector engagement of the Country Office as well as the governments energy priorities. The Energy Specialist will provide strategic insights and technical expertise to ensure alignment between country needs with both regional needs and global energy goals, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy future for Africa.
The Energy Specialist will enhance UNDP’s country offices capacity in the energy and climate sectors by providing specialized expertise and technical support, with a focus on the following key areas.
Strengthen UNDP Congo Republic Country Office's capacity in terms of expertise on energy including prospect and ongoing country activities to:
Lead knowledge management and information sharing in the UNDP country office.
Organize training for the project personnel to enhance their capacities in the technical matters of the thematic area of the project. Identify, evaluate, synthesize, and document lessons learned and best practices directly linked to the project goals and activities. Develop knowledge sharing materials and respond to related queries. Contribute substantively to knowledge networks and communities of practice within the thematic area of the project. Support for the transition of the UNDP compound to full operation on renewable energies Develop and carry out a personal learning planThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Energy Specialist will be part of the \"Energy for Growth in Africa\" team at the UNDP Rome Centre, working under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative/Programmes (DRR/P) of UNDP Congo Country Office. S/he will closely coordinate the work with the Specialist in economic diversification, climate change and democratic governance while reporting to the Energy Team Lead of UNDP Rome Centre. The Energy for Growth in Africa team will provide technical assistance to ensure the effective implementation of the Energy Specialist's work.
While the Energy Specialist will also be based at UNDP Country Offices to support on-the-ground activities, the role might require undertaking field missions to UNDP Country Offices in the countries within the region and will in this regard coordinate his role closely with the management of the COs (RR/DRRs) and relevant teams covering energy/environment portfolios.
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 & 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 Management-Partnerships management: Ability to 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
Partnership Management-Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements
Communications-Advocacy strategy and implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change
Business Direction and Strategy-Business acumen: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Renewable Energy, Climate Change, International Development, Finance, Energy Policy, Engineering, or other related fields is required, Or A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated 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 sustainable development, climate change and green growth in different development contexts Experience in developing a pipeline of bankable projects, energy investment facilities, and resource mobilization for clean energy investments is required Proven experience of substantive understanding of energy policies, regulations, and incentives at local and national levels, notably in Africa is required.Desired additional skills and competencies:
Experience in providing operational and project/programme management support for projects/programmes related to sustainable energy and climate change, prior work experience with UNDP. Demonstrated capacity in elaborating investment plans in the field of energy, particularly in the field of energy access and transition with a focus on energy financing mechanism. Experience in developing energy investment facilities, resource mobilization and risk management for clean energy investments within UNDP or other international organisation. Experience in developing strategies for unlocking renewable energy financing (working experience with actors such as IFC/ World Bank, Africa Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, European Investment Bank and other Multilateral Development Banks). Experience in fostering partnerships between public and private entities to leverage resources and finance energy projects. Experience with development policy financing for clean energy projects. Experience in active engagement with multiple public and private stakeholders in Africa in the energy sector. Experience at a professional level in a large international or governmental organization, prior experience working with UN system agencies. Experience with policy research and publications on topics such as sustainable development, green transition, climate, environment, and sustainable energy. Ability to negotiate terms and conditions of financing agreements, contracts, and partnerships with stakeholders. Technical/advisory experience in the UN System related to climate change and energy. Relevant relationship and network building in the field of SDG7 in Africa.Languages:
Proficiency in oral and written English language is required. Proficiency in oral and written French language is required. Fluency in other official UN languages, particularly Arabic, is an asset. Fluency in Portuguese is an asset.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.
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.
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