UNDP Jobs - 50281- Technical Specialist

Technical Specialist – Sustainable Energy

Location :

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

19-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 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.

Background

The Government of Ethiopia has a vision to become a regional hub for renewable energy for Eastern Africa by 2015. The country seeks to ensure that use of renewable energy plays a significant role in the socio-economic development and transformation through the provision of sustainable, reliable, affordable and quality energy services to all sectors of the economy in an environmentally benign manner. In this connection, the government has set robust targets in its Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), which are further elaborated in the CRGE strategy, that have identified electric power expansion and electricity generation from other renewable energy sources for the domestic and export market. The country leapfrogging to modern and energy-efficient technologies in transport, industrial, and other energy consuming sectors as two of its four major green economy pillars. The government has also recently undergone in setting up of new institutions such as Ethiopian Energy Authority, Ethiopian Electric Utility and Ethiopian Electric Power institutions to address this dynamic sector.

The sustainable energy component is an integral part of UNDP’s continued support to the Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) programme and Government of Norway Energy+ cooperation that aims to contribute in achieving the countries overarching objective of the energy sector.

Within this context, the Technical Specialist is expected to provide high level technical and advisory services to the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWE) and particularly in support of the implementation of the UNDP supported sustainable energy project. This project is intended to play a catalytic role in strengthening the coordination & implementation capacity of the MoWIE and compliments efforts to implement the CRGE, the GTP2 & the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative.

The Technical Specialist will work under the overall guidance of the State Minster of Energy in the MOWIE and will directly report to the Director of the Energy Study and Development Follow-up Directorate and to the UNDP Climate Resilient Green Growth (CRGG) Unit Team Leader. The international technical specialist is responsible for supporting and advising the MoWIE and the management and implementation of the programme on strengthening capacity for increased access to sustainable and clean alternative energy.

The Specialist will work in close collaboration with UNDP’s Climate Resilient and Green Growth team and other UNDP staff, development partners including other UN agencies, and other government relevant government departments to ensure successful implementation of the programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Provision of high quality policy advisory services on Energy sector strategy focusing on alternative energies and programme implementation to the Government of Ethiopia and also Norwegian supported Energy+ initiative ,UN cluster groups, CSOs and UNDP management;
Provision of high level technical support and advisory services to programme formulation and implementation and management;
Coordination of key development partners and initiation of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization including different pipeline resources;
Support capacity development and produce top notch upstream policy knowledge products on energy and related development issues.

Duties and responsibilities:

Provision of High Quality Policy Advisory Services

Support the Government of Ethiopia’s agenda in its effort to implement the climate resilient green economy strategy, energy sector;
Support the government to the design, develop, appraise, implement and monitor & evaluate performance of the energy sector programmes of the CRGE & GTP 2 investment plans & targets;
Lead the establishment of energy coordination technical team;
Analyze the socio-economic, environmental and institutional context to provide advisory services to government and other development partners on policy dialogue and synergy;
Support the government and other development partners programmatic approach within the context of an integrated and harmonized framework to attract climate finance to promote (GHG) emission reduction in the energy sector;
Support the development of guidelines for the implementation of the CRGE in the energy sector in collaboration with the government and other strategic partners;
Support the government in designing and implementing policy measures to stimulate development of the commercial/private sector delivery capabilities and capacities;
Provide leadership and technical input for strategic planning, design, development, and implementation of the national action plan of the sustainable energy for all initiative;
Provide policy and technical advice services to UNDP, development partners and government of Ethiopia in the area of sustainable energy and low carbon development.

Programme Implementation and Management

Support the establishment of energy sector coordination unit within MoWIE to strengthen institutional capacity of the ministry to implement the “CRGE Component - Strengthening Capacities for Increased Access to Sustainable Energy” programme;
Support establishment of donor coordination framework to support energy sectors programmes and projects;
Regularly review the overall energy sector programmatic framework and UNDP’s supported to Programmes and projects implementation;
Develop innovative interventions to be embedded in UNDP’s and Norwegians supported programme for improved and effective implementation;
Through M & E, ensure systematic capturing, documentation and reporting of programme results ( impacts, outputs and outcomes);
Facilitate effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement and reporting of results;
Oversee the financial management of the programme as per UNDP rules and regulations.

Strategic Partnership and Resource Mobilization

Ensure the creation of national strategic partnerships to support resource mobilization and efficient implantation of the programme;
Strengthen partnerships with relevant government institutions, bilateral and multilateral development partners including and Government of Norway, UN agencies, private sector, and civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of the programme;
Provide timely quality information and technical advice on potential source of funds, donor priorities and activities;
Support the identification of priorities and entry-points for UNDP and Government of Norway assistance as well as project identification and development;
Lead the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of concept notes and full-fledged proposals for mobilizing additional resources.

Capacity Development and Knowledge Management

Build capacity of partner organizations, the energy coordination unit technical team in particular, by developing appropriate tools and systems on energy financing and green growth and resilience building in the energy sector;
Provide technical support for success implementation of Ethiopian’s CRGE strategy – in the energy sector;
Facilitate knowledge building, management and sharing;
Regularly capture, document and report programme results (outputs, outcomes, and broader impact);
Identify, synthesize and share best practices and lessons learnt linked to the programme;
Provide sound contributions to UNDP knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Integrity and fairness

Embodies UN values and promotes the well-being of all individuals regardless of gender, religion, race, nationality, or age.

Cultural sensitivity and adaptability

Communicates effectively with and relates to people of different cultures, demonstrating an ability to see issues from other perspectives.

Strong corporate commitment

Works to achieve the goals of UNDP as a whole making significant contributions to corporate priorities or initiatives led by other UNDP offices and bureaus.

Functional Competencies:

Technical knowledge of the energy sector , its national/international intuitional arrangement, and energy financing system;
Knowledge of country’s energy sector policies, priorities, strategies and programmes;
Ability to provide high quality advise for the implementation of the CRGE - in the energy sector strategy, projects and programmes;
Knowledge of UN cluster operations & inter-cluster coordination to mainstream sustainable energy and low carbon climate resilient strategy in the sector;
Knowledge of result-based financing measures and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) standards and best practices.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Ability to build strong relationships within UNDP teams and with external development partners – cultivate productive relationships with donors, partners and other important institutions and individuals;
Excellent oral and written communication skills;
Ability to anticipate and understand client needs, formulate clear strategic plans, prioritize interventions, and allocate resources according to priorities;
Ability to develop innovative solutions - encourages and contributes creative solutions to address challenging situations;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Behavioral:

Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment;
Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment;
Strong analytical, writing, and advocacy skills;
Strong interpersonal skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced degree (Master) in energy, environmental economics, energy engineering, environmental and energy law, or related discipline from internationally recognized university relevant to promoting sustainable energy with internationally recognized experience and contributions to the theory and practice of sustainable energy.

Experience:

Proven record of achievement over 7 years of increasingly responsible experience in planning and managing technical co-operation strategies, policies and relevant advocacy programs in inclusive sustainable energy development;
Extensive field experience in renewable energy policy and management. An in-depth knowledge of issues in the country;
Application of cutting-edge knowledge on sustainable energy in the design, management and evaluation of complex, multi-disciplinary capacity building programs involving national governments, civil society, the UN system and international development partner including Government of Norway energy + initiative;
Demonstrated abilities and contributions to policy and guideline formulation, resource mobilization, team building, team leadership and management, preferably in a capacity related to the UN system;
Experience in establishing inter-organizational networks and partnerships at the operational level;
Experience in the policy development processes associated with sustainable development issues in the context of climate resilient green economy development;
Knowledge of Ethiopia and CRGE implementation is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English, both oral and written.