Background Information

UNOPS hosts Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Secretariat/Programme in Vienna, Austria. Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an independent organization with a global mandate to accelerate progress on the energy transition in emerging and developing countries. We work at the intersection of energy, climate, and development. We collaborate with governments and partners worldwide to end energy poverty, accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions, and combat climate change.

Our vision is a world where everyone, everywhere, can lead a dignified life on a healthy planet, powered by sustainable energy. We promote this vision by pushing for higher ambitions, stronger policies, greater finance flows, increased localization and green jobs, and faster results toward an energy transition that leaves no one behind.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Since then, our CEO has served as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy.

This position is located within the Sustainable Cooling and Integrated Energy Access Planning programmes. The main objectives of the Sustainable Cooling and Integrated Energy Access Planning programmes are:

Sustainable Cooling: Provide advice, convene leaders and support policy progress on access to sustainable cooling; Develop tools and resources that enable partners to have improved decision making on access to sustainable cooling; Track and analyze access to sustainable cooling through Chilling Prospects; Provide and lead communications efforts that improve understanding of access to sustainable cooling through #ThisIsCool.

Integrated Energy Access Planning: Provide the sector with up-to-date data, tools, and knowledge for accelerating the adoption of ‘best-in-class’ integrated energy access plans among high energy access deficit countries; provide tailored advisory support to countries that have developed or are developing an IEP to help them better utilize their IEPs and translate them into policies, finance and action; use high-level advocacy to secure political buy-in on integrated energy access planning and the role of distributed energy in meeting energy access goals. The target audience includes government planners, development partners, donors and private sector actors.

Functional Responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the Programme Manager, carry out data collection and support data analytics, modeling and quality assurance for the agricultural cold chain in priority countries.
• Support the delivery of agricultural cold chain planning assessments through desk reviews, key informant interviews, etc.
• Support data-driven planning to embed sustainable agricultural and vaccine cold chains into countries near-term energy access strategies, in order to fill data gaps.
• Participate and assist with capacity-building and outreach activities
• Contribute to the creation of country-specific open-source, geospatial tools and models for agricultural and vaccine cold chain planning as a tool for investors, SMEs and policymakers.
• Support the team by providing assistance in identifying and assessing technology options that address cooling needs in agriculture sector
• Support the development of research and analytical framework needed for energy (geospatial) planning for access to agriculture focused productive uses of energy.
• Support the creation of a pipeline of countries prime for SEforALL’s agricultural cold chain planning interventions.
• Assist the team by gathering data and sharing findings for the development and enhancing of policies that support increased access to cooling through agricultural and vaccine cold chains.
• Prepare briefs, knowledge products, and data to support guidance on access to sustainable cooling and agricultural productive uses of energy.
• Work with other teams within SEforALL to support the development of knowledge and implementation work products that utilize the breadth of skills at SEforALL.
• Support monitoring, evaluation and learning for the Integrated Energy Access Planning and Sustainable Cooling programmes and facilitate knowledge sharing across SEforALL teams.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

First Level University (Bachelor’s) degree in energy, agriculture, engineering, sustainable development, economics or a related field. An Advanced Degree (Master’s or equivalent) will be considered an advantage.

Work Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years experience in the energy and/or agriculture sector, supporting governments, development agencies or NGOs, specifically in Africa or Asia is required.
• Experience in data analysis applied to the energy or agriculture sector development is required.
• Experience in GIS data management, data curation, Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), remote sensing, spatial analysis and visualization, data analysis relevant to the field of energy access planning or sustainable cooling is desirable.
• Experience in electrification and cold chain status and sectors in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa or Asia is an asset.

Language

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of another, official UN language is an asset.

Competencies

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior.
• Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Please note, that this is a summary of the complete job offer, which can be found on the application link.