Background
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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.
Office/Unit/Project Description:
The UNDP Green Energy Recovery Programme is an integrated approach to address Ukraine’s needs to accelerate efforts towards a more diverse energy mix, following the impact of the war and outdated energy system, with less dependence on gas and coal generation. It has been designed based on extensive consultations with the Government of Ukraine, local and regional authorities, and thorough analysis of barriers and instruments for green energy sector recovery. The Programme supports achieving mid-term objectives and priorities indicated in the National Energy Strategy, contributing to energy security and independence, supporting a green recovery and transition of the energy sector, promoting decarbonisation and facilitating further synchronisation with the EU energy markets.
The Programme expands the scope of UNDP’s engagement in supporting reconstruction and recovery of the energy system, building on the partnerships, results and lessons learned under the multi-donor funded project “Winterization support to Ukraine”. In line with the priorities of UN Ukraine Transitional Framework 2023 and UN Winterization plans of 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, UNDP is herein providing immediate and emergency support to the national and local governments to repair energy infrastructure in order to provide critical basic services to the population in war-affected areas.
The Green Energy Recovery Programme will contribute to distributing generation sources throughout the country and decentralizing the power system while increasing the share of renewable energy sources in an effort to contribute to gradually reducing coal generation, in line with Ukraine’s national commitments in reducing Co2 emissions. This will have significant positive impact on people’s access to energy from decentralized renewable energy capacities, economic empowerment, improved public governance of the energy sector, and decreased pollution rates. Outputs under the key objectives will thereby contribute to implementation of Ukraine’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs) towards the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in the effort for global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable energy solutions provided through the pilot projects aligns with the UNDP nexus approach, contributing to risk reduction and increasing resilience of sub-national energy systems in war-affected communities in Ukraine. By increasing energy supply in the medium term and contributing to decentralization of the energy system, the proposed Project will furthermore reduce pressure on humanitarian aid for heat, water, and sanitation services, all which depend on electricity supply, in the war affected areas and reduce the vulnerabilities of the energy systems.
In order to ensure effective project implementation and achievement of project objectives of this and the other related projects in the Energy and Environment portfolio, UNDP is recruiting a qualified Green Financial Mechanisms Specialist.
The Green Financial Mechanisms Specialist will be primarily responsible for ensuring that the project delivers the expected results as outlined in the project document, adhering to the required standards of quality, and within the defined time and budget constraints.
The incumbent will ensure mainstreaming of gender equality within the project, support acceleration of gender equality and women’s empowerment within the UNDP Energy and Environment Portfolio and promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance for any kind of discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse.
Scope of Work:
Under the supervision of the Green Energy Recovery Programme Manager, the Green Financial
Mechanisms Specialist will:
1. Project Delivery:
Ensure that the project achieves the defined outputs and outcomes within the specified timeframes and budget. Lead the project activities on developing investment mechanisms and solutions for Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency projects. Identify and describe current and potential sources of financing for renewable energy and energyefficiency projects in Ukraine. Assess the current and potential funding sources and needs to significantly enhance energy efficiency, meet the Government’s energy and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) reduction targets, and develop and implement renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Ukraine, and identify any gaps. Assess the potential banking and investment solutions that can be developed and implemented under the Project for supporting Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects. Design project activities leading to the design and development of feasible financial mechanisms and schemes to be promoted by the Project, which will facilitate the funding of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects.2. Quality Assurance:
Maintain the quality of deliverables, ensuring alignment with the agreed project standards and3. Assist in preparing concrete follow-up project proposals for the implementation of the developed Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency investment mechanisms, including Monitoring and Reporting:
Provide regular updates to portfolio and office management through comprehensive4. Risk Management:
Identify and report delays, challenges, or risks that arise during implementation. Identify and describe market, financial and regulatory barriers to address the identified gaps.5. Recommend specific solutions, including how to remove identified market, financial and
regulatory barriers:
6. Compliance:
Ensure adherence to all relevant policies, regulations, and sustainability criteria for financial mechanisms. Recommend the design of the investment mechanisms/schemes/tools and help develop Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency investment products for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects that will be promoted and facilitated under the Project. Undertake other duties that contribute to the effective implementation of the Project.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement:
Under the supervision of the Green Energy Recovery Programme Manager, the Green Financial Mechanisms Specialist is fully responsible for the design and management of the financial mechanisms/schemes/tools to increase investment in Renewable and Energy Efficiency projects according to the project document, UNDP corporate rules, and procedures and for fulfilling the following function.