Project Description

Considering the ongoing energy crisis, the energy sector is one of the top priorities for the Government and it is addressed in the Government’s Plans and several policy documents, laws, and regulations which outline the need to undertake more actions toward a green, and just energy transition of the Republic of Moldova.

In accordance with the existing strategic planning documents, one of the main priorities of the Government is to diversify the energy mix with more renewable energy, which is also fully in line with commitments under the EU Clean Energy for all Europeans packages. Achieving this goal will require significant investment in the medium and long term, but also the country’s ability to attract and absorb the funds. The development of renewables, such as wind and solar, will also depend on improving the balancing capabilities of the Moldovan power system and its integration with neighboring countries.

In this regard the EU and Moldova stressed the importance of resilience against any potential efforts by third parties to use energy as a geopolitical lever. The EU has urged Moldova to ensure that the energy sector reform demonstrates full respect of the Energy Community acquis and is in line with the EU Third Energy Package. The EU side confirmed its support to the objective of Moldova for integration into the EU energy system and market, an important step being the recent synchronization of its electricity network with the Continental European Network (CEN).
The current vision of the Government is to accelerate EU integration and energy transition to achieve a more resilient energy sector. In particular, the Programme of Government has clear and specific objectives when it comes to the development and implementation of mechanisms to promote energy security, sustainability, and efficiency in all sectors.

Recognizing the importance of a just and green energy transition in addressing the root causes of the ongoing crisis, the “Accelerating a Just Energy Transition in the Republic of Moldova” portfolio of interventions has emerged within the Country Office and co-designed with the Government, donors, and other representatives of the energy system.

UNDP Greening the future, advancing rights and stability project, financed by Denmark, part of the JET portfolio, aims to accelerate a just green transition within the energy and transport sectors, building on UNDP’s experience in enhancing energy security by addressing the impacts of the energy crisis and laying the groundwork for a sustainable transition.

The focus areas include strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks with a gender perspective to ensure the consideration gender-specific needs and disparities, building institutional capacity, and increasing access to funding in the residential sector, which faces high energy consumption. This also involves reducing risks in investments related to Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Efficiency (EE) while fostering innovation and community-level adoption of green technology. Central to this output is the collaboration between the Government and the private sector. Supporting both the Government and the private sector is essential for driving a comprehensive, effective, and sustainable shift toward green energy. Stronger institutions within the Government enable the effective design and implementation of sustainable energy policies.

Within the project, dedicated support is directed towards residential sector as to intensify demand creation and improve access to funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects buildings coupled with capacity building of the Homeowners Association to absorb and implement the funds.

Another critical sub-output focuses on enhancing access and investment opportunities for private sector (MSMEs) in energy efficiency and green technologies. This involves matching the specific needs of private companies with financial products and investment opportunities in the national and regional market.

Scope of Work

Energy Efficiency Officer will support the implementation of the activities under Outcome 2: Intensify demand creation and access to funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy in residential buildings   and Outcome 3: Enhance MSMEs access and investment opportunities in energy efficiency and green technologies, and will maintain close coordination with project partners, ensure synergies, avoid overlaps in project implementation, provide information relevant to the project, support with M&E.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, in close coordination with the UNDP Climate Change, Environment and Energy (EECC) Cluster representative, and in collaboration with other team members, the Energy Efficiency Officer will conduct and implement the following tasks (but not limited to):

1.    Conceptualize a program on conducting energy audits for multi-storey buildings and development of the necessary technical documents for conducting energy efficiency interventions

• Organize a public competition to select at least 25 Homeowners Associations to benefit for support in conducting energy audits and the necessary technical documents for conducting energy efficiency interventions;
• Participate at the evaluation of the competition to select the beneficiary homeowners associations;
• Development of draft Terms of Reference and draft technical of received offers under procurement process for a company to perform 25 energy audits to multi-storey buildings;
• Monitor the contracts’ implementation and technical works performance;
• Participate at the development and implementation of a training and awareness program for homeowners association on energy efficiency and renewable energy measures

2.    Design and roll out an energy audit programme to trigger an interest from the most ambitious MSMEs (in terms of energy savings and GHG emission reduction) to access partial funding (i.e., partial reimbursement of costs upon verification) and promote the adoption of Energy Management Systems among MSMEs

• Organize a public competition to select at least 25 MSMEs to benefit for support in conducting energy audits;
• Participate at the evaluation of the competition to select the 25 MSMEs to benefit for support in conducting energy audits;
• Monitor the contracts’ implementation and technical works performance;
• Participate at the development and implementation of a program on promoting among the selected MSMEs an Energy Management System.

3.    Oversee a market assessment exercise for introducing additional instruments on the market for higher uptake of EE&RES measures by MSMEs (e.g. energy savings insurance)

• Develop the ToR for the supplier to conduct the marker assessment exercise, including the selection criteria and a first draft of the assessment structure;
• Monitor the contract implementation and on time deliverables completion;
• Ensure the relevant stakeholders consultation within the assessment exercise.

4.    Develop a technical assistance program to create enabling environment for investments into RES&EE at local level (e.g., Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAPs)

• Development of the selection criteria for 5 localities to benefit from technical support of SECAP development;
• Develop the ToR for the supplier to develop SECAPs for selected localities;
• Monitor the contract implementation and on time deliverables completion;
• Assess the opportunity on development of a monitoring program on SECAPs’ implementation and a capacity building program for local public authorities.

5.    Develop knowledge products on energy efficiency measures

• Complete in collaboration with the project team an assessment on the energy efficiency supporting programs for residential and private sectors, highlighting also the current needs and opportunities for interventions;
• Development of Lessons Learn Knowledge Products on the implemented activities within the project.

The selected Energy Efficiency Officer is expected to collaborate also with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

The Energy Efficiency Officer, in close cooperation with the UNDP Country Office and all relevant stakeholders, including Ministry of Energy, National Center for Sustainable Energy, LPAs, youth, academia, private sector and other relevant stakeholders, will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the initiative) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients through applying human rights-based (HRBA) and gender equality (GE) approaches.

The Energy Efficiency Officer might perform other duties within its functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Organization.

Key Results:

The key results have a direct impact on the overall successful achievement of the Greening the Future_Moldova project priorities. Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UNDP’s position as a strong development partner. The information provided facilitates decision-making of the Project Board, the Beneficiary and UNDP management.

Institutional Arrangement

The Energy Efficiency Officer will work under the supervision of the Project Manager and the Climate Change, Environment and Energy Analyst and will ensure the provision of development services and products commensurate with the scope of the Programme and assigned area of responsibility of the highest quality and standards to national and local counterparts and clients through applying HRBA and GE approaches. He/she will coordinate the part time consultants, as envisaged in programme’s organizational chart.

The Energy Efficiency Officer will work in close cooperation with the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex project/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Competencies
Core

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Management: Results-based Management

• Ability to manage projects and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Business Management: Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Management: Monitoring

• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and project performance and results

Digital & Innovation: Agile’ methodologies and practices

• Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement.  Ability to manage a self-organizing cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context.

Digital & Innovation: Futures & foresight

• Ability to look at information from the past and present, identify patterns and trends and use them to inform decision making with a long-term view. Being sensitive and able to scan horizons and pick up weak signals of change, explore their potential implications and assess their impact and urgency. Using creativity and imagination to communicate insights in compelling and engaging ways to challenge current mental models; ability to develop scenarios, speculative designs to present future visions or by making it experiential. Being able to facilitate debate and discussion about possible futures; help people to feel comfortable with the discomfort of uncertainty.

Partnership Management: CSO Engagement

• Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Academic Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Energy, Engineering or other closely related fields is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master`s degree

Min. years of relevant Work experience

• A minimum of 2 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of progressively acquired experience in project implementation, preferably in the energy sector and climate change fields.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Additional desired skills and experience

• Relevant professional experience of engagement with a large variety of stakeholders (public, private, LPAs, central public authorities, academia);
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for NGOs, academia, a donor organization, development partners, UN Agencies;
• Demonstrated specialized professional experience in engaging with energy audits activities;
• Familiarity and prior experience with the donors requirements and procedures;
• Demonstrated ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results and deadlines in a timely manner, maintaining a high standard throughout.

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Fluency in English, Romanian and Russian is required.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset.

Professional Certificates

• Additional training and certification in project management and/or business administration would be an advantage.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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