Energy Officer

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.
The Resilience and Sustainable Growth (RSG) Portfolio has a complex theory of change that combines inclusive growth and sustainability with the areas of resilience building, access to energy and climate change adaptation. It is a Portfolio that also marries natural resources management, poverty-environment linkages, and disaster risk management, with linkages with fourteen Implementing Partners and responsible parties within government, plus several relationships with Development Partners in the thematic areas of renewable energy, climate information and early warning systems, resilience, and private sector development.

Under the supervision of the Programme Analyst, the NPSA-9 Energy Officer will support the management of UNDP’s clean energy initiatives, including core programmes such as Access to Clean Renewable Energy (ACRE), the Africa Mini-Grids Programme (AMP), Solar4Health, and the upcoming ACRE successor in addition to various co-financing opportunities being pursued by the Country Office.

The Energy Officer will report to the Programme Analyst in line with the project document, workplans, objectives and delivery. The officer is to also support effective and efficient delivery of renewable energy programming in accordance with UNDP policies and procedures, and integration of energy access thought-leadership across the Country Office.

Duties and Responsibilities
Policy and Strategy Development
  • Assist in the formulation and implementation of energy-related policies, strategies, and action plans in line with Malawi’s national development goals and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance

  • Provide technical expertise and capacity-building support to government institutions, NGOs, and local communities on renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency, and sustainable energy practices.

Project Management

  • Identify, design, and manage energy projects that promote access to modern energy services, facilitate energy market development, and encourage the adoption of clean energy solutions. Timely delivery of interventions will be critical.

Data Analysis and Reporting

  • Conduct research, data analysis, and evaluations to monitor and assess the impact of energy initiatives, and prepare regular progress reports for internal and external stakeholders.

Research and Development

  • Reviewing unsolicited proposals and assessing new innovations; preparing reports and knowledge products.

Administration

  • Monitoring budgets, generating quarterly reports and facilitating payment requests of energy programming.
Institutional Arrangement

The Energy Officer will be based at the UNDP Malawi Country Office to support energy programming project implementation in collaboration with the Program Analyst. The Energy Officer provides operational and technical support to government agencies and implementing partners and is responsible for coordination and management of the project. The Officer will work closely with all implementing partners and responsible parties. Achieving the functions listed below will ensure the project is implemented smoothly and according to plan. The Energy Officer will report to the Program Analyst for Energy.
Competencies

Core Competencies
  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build and/or /maintain coalitions/partnership.
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

Functional/Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy  

  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized 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.

Business Development

  • Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

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

  • Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

2030 Agenda: Planet

  • Nature, Climate and Energy: Energy: Energy access.

2030 Agenda: Planet

  • Nature, Climate and Energy: Energy: Renewable energy.

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.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Engineering, Energy Systems, Energy Economics or related field is required.
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
  • Minimum of 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in in renewable energy initiatives or relevant related fields is required.
Required skills:
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling web-based management systems and social knowledge networks.
Desired skills:
  • Experience in managing energy projects that promote access to modern energy services;
  • Hands on experience in conducting research, data analysis, and evaluations to monitor and assess the impact of energy initiatives;
  • Experience in budget monitoring for a larger organization or the UN desirable;
  • Proven Creativity and innovative approach to work;
  • Proven Strong multicultural skills;
  • Proven Commitment to the values of the United Nations;
  • Proven Ability to work well in teams.
Language:
  • Fluency in English and Chichewa is required.

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