International Energy Specialist United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

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.

Organizational Context

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’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

UNDP’s work on Energy

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. The strategy of UNDP in promoting sustainable energy solutions around the world comprise three key action areas in line with SDG7 targets: increasing access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy; increasing the global rate of improvements in energy efficiency; and increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

UNDP’s approach in supporting countries to achieve the above three interlinked areas relies on a suite of integrated interventions in policy, technology, finance, delivery systems, capacity development, community mobilization, and awareness raising to reduce and, where possible, remove a range of barriers that inhibit investments in scaling up sustainable energy solutions.

As per UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the first 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. Second, UNDP will work to accelerate the transition to renewable energy through systems changes that support inclusive, green economies, particularly in countries with low levels of renewable energy generation or poor energy-efficiency improvement rates. This work will capitalize on technological gains, clean energy innovations and new business models in the energy sector.

Country Context

Zambia has a population of approximately 19.6 million people, with the majority living in rural areas. The Ministry of Energy is responsible for the energy sector and ZESCO is the state-owned utility company responsible for most of the country’s electricity generation. The installed capacity is 3011 MW, with 80% coming from hydro, 11% from coal, 7% from diesel/fuel oil, and 3% from solar. According to the World Bank 44.5% of the population in Zambia have access to electricity, of which 82% of the urban and 14% of the rural population have access. When it comes to clean cooking, 10% of the Zambian population have access to clean cooking technologies and fuels. Since 2015, the country has struggled to meet increasing electricity demand due to heavy reliance on hydropower and droughts. Zambia has several hydropower projects and initiatives to improve transmission and distribution in the pipeline. The mining sector is the largest consumer of electricity, followed by the residential sector. Zambia has introduced policies to incentivize renewable energy through the Renewable-Energy Feed-in-Tariff (REFiT) strategy and programmes like GET-FiT and scaling Solar. However, distress of ZESCO is limiting large-scale development in the short term.

Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition

The central purpose of the recently established Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition is to ensure the effective implementation and further development of the strategic partnership between the Italy and UNDP.

The initial phase of the activities under this partnership will run from 2022 to 2025 gearing up – among other initiatives – to the Italian Presidency of the G7 in 2024 and the goals of the partnership are linked to 2030 when an assessment of the Sustainable Development Goals targets is expected.

The partnership – in this initial phase focuses on the critical policy areas of climate action, youth engagement and energy transition. These objectives will be advance through the rapid, effective, and sustainable implementation of two main programmes:

The Youth for Climate Programme

The Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership

Delivering on the Italy-UNDP Partnership, the Centre provides support to the international cooperation efforts of Italy and will support UNDP’s global policy initiative

The Italy – UNDP Energy Partnership

The Energy Specialist hired under this call are expected to contribute to the work of the Rome Centre for the implementation of the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership in close collaboration with the UNDP overall offer on sustainable energy.

The Italian Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have committed to work together to contribute to the achievement of SDG 7 and to assist countries unlock finance to scale up the diffusion of off-grid energy solutions and other effective clean and sustainable solutions to boost energy transition. In this context, the UNDP Rome Centre will work with target countries and UNDP Country Offices to identify country-level action opportunities that can contribute to reduce (and eventually close) their current energy access deficit. Scope of this first working phase is to develop country specific investment plans for scaling up off-grid RE access and other effective clean and sustainable solutions. The investment plans will be presented in ad hoc stakeholders’ gatherings and will be accompanied by investment grade feasibility assessments and project designs with the aim to enable both public and private financing to be deployed towards bankable initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supporting the Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition in delivering the expected results of the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership and overall strengthening UNDP’s capacity in supporting countries to achieve the SDG7:
The Energy Specialist will serve as a focal point at the country level to support to identify country-level action opportunities that can at least half (and/or preferably close) the current energy access deficit in off-grid areas by 2025, boost energy transition and contribute to the UNDP energy targets. The Energy Specialist will be part of a Africa Energy Team (i.e., working as part of a network of Consultants at the country level and of staff at the Rome Centre and across UNDP) and s/he will coordinate with and report directly to the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership focal point who coordinates this assignment across the selected countries. The Energy Specialist will also strengthen the UNDP’s country office capacity in terms of its expertise on energy and on this area of work will report directly to the head of the UNDP’s Country Office or to a staff of the CO designated by the head of the CO.

Country-level action investment opportunities will identify specific levers, financial mechanisms and funding requirements that can complement existing actions at the country-level and drive both grant and concessional finance towards scaled-up clean and sustainable energy access solutions. Therefore, this work will be implemented in a collaborative approach with various stakeholders in the short, medium, and long term.

Programming approaches, and actions to enhance private sector investments towards new programmes and initiatives will be explored with tangible follow up actions that need to be implemented to drive investment towards closing the energy access gap and accelerating the energy transition. This will guide joint programming efforts and inform additional resource mobilization needs to maximize rapid and sustainable results.

Identified action investment opportunities will be of a technical quality sufficient to support follow up work, including detailed design work for proposals, to enhance on-the-ground programming among UN Energy partners and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., the private sector, philanthropy, civil society, and others). Under the supervision the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership Coordinator and in coordination with the UNDP Country Representative of reference, the Energy Specialist will support UNDP’s on the ground efforts to enable progress on SDG 7, including ongoing country activities to:

Prepare assessments to identify country-level action investment opportunities in the field of energy access and transition;
Identify investment opportunities for bankable projects in sustainable energy solutions, focusing on the most vulnerable communities that are farthest behind;
Prepare country specific investment plans for scaling sustainable energy access and other effective clean and sustainable solutions by using innovative development financial mechanisms and instruments and new business energy delivery models;
Participate and support in the organization of stakeholder’s meetings and related events to area of work of the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership. Organize workshops and events, including drafting agendas and finalizing participant lists, as needed by the team;
Prepare technical advisory work, policy and communication materials related to the activities of the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership and in relations with the strategic partnership of UNDP with key actors managed by the Rome Centre;
Ensure the timely publication and dissemination of the reports identified as project outputs;
Expected to look at investment and action opportunities in neighbourhood countries to develop synergies solutions at regional level.
The Energy Specialist will be based in UNDP offices in Zambia and will be part of a network of selected consultants working for the Rome Centre. The consultants are expected to explore synergies opportunities among themselves and contribute to the creation of such network to be deployed to achieve the Italy-UNDP Energy partnership and contribute overall to strengthen UNDP energy offer at national, continental, and global level.

In addition:

Strengthening UN boots on the ground to support scaled-up energy access and transition programming at the country level:

Work with key partners in government, civil society, and the private sector, to scale up the delivery and reach of UNDP;
Support country programming that links and strengthens existing efforts on long term energy planning (e.g., as stated in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)), as well as flagship initiatives such as the Africa Mini-grid Programme, Energy for Sahel, and Solar for Health, and others;
Support the design and preparation of project proposals for different sources of funding and boost and establish links with related national and regional projects on energy access and transition, and other international programs. Working close coordination with the UNDP Country Office Team, UNDP Country Office Energy Strategy which will contribute at the country-level to the objectives of UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025;
Support the energy transition agenda at the country level, particularly integrated energy transition programming that enables low-carbon development in an inclusive and just manner (e.g., decreasing fossil fuel subsidies, or redirecting investments towards enhanced renewable development in low-income and vulnerable communities, help cities to become more sustainable through integrated energy and urban planning; supporting energy efficiency projects (e.g., within cities, at the building level, or other sectors such as transportation and industry);
Work closely with the Sustainable Energy Hub (Global Team) on other related requests and needs that link country, regional and global programming efforts on energy access and transition. and contribute to the strategic development of the expertise in the Energy sector of UNDP;
Adopt a human-centred approach (e.g., supporting integrated energy programming that connects with other areas such as poverty and gender equality).

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall supervision of the UNDP DRR, the Energy Specialist will report to the UNDP DRR and Italy-UNDP energy partnership coordinator and UNDP Senior Programme Advisor (health, energy, and climate change). In addition, s/he will maintain close collaboration with the UNDP Sustainable Energy Hub team and other key stakeholders involved in the implementation of UNDP’s energy initiatives. This will ensure that the Specialist is able to effectively support the coordination and implementation of UNDP’s Energy offer and contribute to achieving the goal of increasing access to clean and affordable energy.

Competencies

CORE

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 and Strategy: 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 Direction and Strategy: Strategic Thinking

Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritize 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 to model what future developments and ways forward look like for UNDP

Business Direction and Strategy: Business acumen

Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgements and quick decisions within such framework

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

Business Management: 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
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
2030 Agenda: People : Gender

Gender analysis and issues
Gender mainstreaming
Gender and institutional development

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, energy solutions, development finance, engineering, or related disciplines.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in the African continent in (a) experience in developing investment opportunities and project in the field of energy; (b) the provision of analytical, advisory, and technical assistance in energy programming; c) designing, monitoring and of energy strategies or/and (c) identification and interaction with a range of key stakeholders at country level in the field of energy;
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;
Expertise on designing and implementing national projects and policies;
Knowledge of multi-discipline solutions and services related to energy projects (renewable in particular);
Project management experience in leading energy projects and experience in business development, proposal, budget development and project finance;
Strong knowledge of energy markets, regulatory framework, and policy, of electricity markets, public utility organization and operation and energy market regional integrations;
Strong organizational skills and ability to work across multiple offices and geographies and in coordination with a pool of colleagues based in a different location;
Problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify and assess the feasibility of an energy project;
Must have experience in the active engagement with multiple public and private stakeholders in Africa in the energy sector;
Demonstrated ability to develop knowledge products and outreach material related to energy policy and project implementation;
Experience with the work of multilateral, bilateral and civil society development partners including donors, foundations, international organization and international financial institutions (i.e., UN agencies, World Bank, African Union, African Development Bank, European Commission, European Investment Bank);
Capacity to support the organization of workshop series and policy dialogue on current topics of top interest for the UNDP country offices, Energy Hub, and Rome Centre;
Relevant relationship and network building in the field of SDG7 in Africa;
Demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner and minimal supervision;
Demonstrated understanding of linkages between the Paris agreement,2030 Agenda;
Previous knowledge of African energy and climate policy strategies and national, regional and continental level;
Expertise in organization of event and high-level stakeholder dialogue;
Knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures is desirable;
Excellent analytical, drafting and communications skills.

Language Requirement:

Fluency in  English is required.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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