Energy Specialist at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves. It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations.

Headquartered in New York City, the status of UNDP is that of an executive board within the United Nations General Assembly. The UNDP is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. The organization operates in 177 countries, where it works with local governments to meet development challenges and develop local capacity.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Energy Specialist

Job Identification: 20779
Location: Abuja
Employment type: Temporary
Contract duration: 1 Year
Practice Area: International Personnel Service Agreement
Vacancy Type: Nature, Climate and Energy
Grade: IPSA-10

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition requires the support of an Energy Specialist (ES) who will play a critical role in advancing the UNDP’s mission in Nigeria through the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership. The ES will contribute to the work of the UNDP Rome Centre for the implementation of the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership in close collaboration with the UNDP Nigeria Country Office. Together with the Energy Investment Specialist (EIS), he/she will serve as a focal point at the country level to identify country-level action opportunities that can reduce the current energy access deficit, boost energy transition, and contribute to the UNDP energy targets.
• The ES will support the on-ground initiatives of the Rome Centre, specifically in providing support to the development of country-specific investment plans to scale sustainable energy access using innovative financial mechanisms, instruments, and new business models; preparing project proposals for funding clean energy initiatives and participating in the coordination of stakeholder meetings and events related to the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership. The ES will work closely with the EIS to advance the work of the Energy Partnership in Nigeria and to bring the Centre closer to its goals of accelerating SDG 7 in the country. Thus, this work requires a collaborative approach, engaging a spectrum of stakeholders across short, medium, and long-term horizons. Programming approaches, and actions to enhance private sector investments towards new programmes and initiatives will also 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.

Key Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Team Lead of UNDP Nigeria Environment and Energy Unit and Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership Country Coordinator, the ES will support UNDP’s on the ground efforts to enable progress on SDG 7, including ongoing country activities to:

• Undertake assessments to identify country-level action investment opportunities in the field of energy access and transition.
• Advise and support the preparation of 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.
• Guide the preparation of project proposals for submission to financiers to secure funding for clean energy development.
• 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.
•  Analyze investment and action opportunities in neighboring countries to develop synergy solutions at regional level.
• Work with key partners in the Government, civil society, and the private sector to identify country-level action investment opportunities in the field of energy access and transition that require further technical assistance intervention support to reach bankability.
• Work closely with the UNDP Country Office Team and external stakeholders to support the preparation and submission of applications to the Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance (PISTA) for technical assistance intervention support for all relevant projects in the areas of clean energy and other relevant sectors.
• Advise and support the PISTA team with activities in relation to the implementation of the intervention support provided to selected projects in Nigeria including monitoring, impact documentation, etc.
• Support the energy team in other countries of the EP and PISTA to identify, finance and implement country-level actions aimed at advancing clean energy development.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement:

• The ES will work from the UNDP Nigeria country office.
• The ES will report to the Coordinator of the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership and the Team Lead of UNDP Nigeria Environment and Energy.
• The ES will have access to relevant information necessary for task execution.
• The ES is expected to travel to other States in Nigeria as needed.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Renewable Energy, Finance, Energy Policy, Engineering, or other related fields 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.
• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional work experience working with developing countries on one or more of the following: Renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy transition, sustainable transport, energy access, climate change/natural resources.
• Experience in developing a pipeline of bankable projects, energy investment facilities, and resource mobilization for clean energy investments.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge in French is a plus.

Desired additional skills and competencies:

• Experience in developing pipeline of projects, energy investment facilities, project development, and resource mobilization and risk management for clean energy projects.
• Experience in technical review of sustainable energy projects, and implementation of technical assistance projects to catalyse clean energy investments.
• Experience with development policy financing for clean energy projects.
• 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 will be an asset)
• Experience at a professional level in a large international or governmental organization, experience working with multilateral organizations.
• Experience and understanding of energy policies, regulations, and incentives at local and national levels in Nigeria that impact energy investments.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate terms and conditions of financing agreements, contracts, and partnerships with stakeholders.
• Experience in fostering partnerships between public and private entities to leverage resources and finance energy projects.

Deadline: 14th August, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online