The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. The Fiji multi-country office covers ten countries including Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu as well as provides support to regional initiatives.

UNDP in the Pacific has developed its multi-country programme document (MCPD, 2023-2027) to guide its interventions in the next five years in full alignment and directly to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, 2023–27). The Office covers 10 countries in the Pacific with an extensive portfolio which has grown over time. The UNSDCF and UNDP MCPD are designed in full alignment with the 2030 agenda, Samoa Pathway, and 2050 Blue Content Strategy, which is endorsed by the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) among others. The UNDP Pacific Office next five-year plan strategic priorities are encapsulated under three outcome areas: (i) Planet, (ii) Prosperity, and (iii) Peace.

Energy is one of UNDP’s six signature solutions – alongside poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, and gender equality – to support countries towards three directions of change: structural transformation, leaving no one behind and resilience. As per UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2022-2025, and the new MCPD (2023-2027), UNDP Pacific office aims to increase energy access for those furthest behind. By speeding up investment in distributed renewable energy solutions, especially for those hardest to reach and in crisis contexts, it aims to increase access to clean and affordable energy.

This position is part of the ‘‘Promoting Green Transformation in the Pacific Region towards Net-zero and Climate-resilient Development’’ regional Project, managed and implemented by UNDP. The Project is funded by the generous support of the Government of Japan under the Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB). The project will contribute to green transformation to achieve a clean energy future and increase resilience to climate change impact in four small islands countries, namely: Vanuatu, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and also has a regional component to provide technical and oversight support.

In Vanuatu, as part of the regional project, this project aims to achieve the following outcome: ‘‘By 2024 ensure eight additional communities’ access to green energy that contributes to achieving the National Energy Road Map (NERM) target i.e., 100% electrification with Renewable Energy by 2030’’. The target would replace nearly all fossil fuel requirements for electricity generation in the country and contribute to reduction of emissions in the energy sector by 72Gg by 2030. To achieve this, the project seeks to install Pico Hydro stations in selected sites to generate clean energy and strengthen the capacity of various stakeholders in operation and maintenance of the newly installed systems to ensure sustainability.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager of Vanuatu Green Transformation Project, and working closely with the VGET Programme Management Unit, the Project Engineer will provide technical oversight in the installation of renewable energy systems in Vanuatu in close collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, Department of Energy in Vanuatu.

The Project Engineer works closely with the project experts and counterparts of the Government beneficiary institution(s), RCC unit team, UNDP Pacific Office, as well as engages with other national institutions, international organizations, and other relevant actors

Under the direct supervision of the VGET Project Manager, the Project Engineer will provide technical oversight in the installation of renewable energy systems, mainly pico hydropower and solar in Vanuatu of Vanuatu Green Transformation Project and closely with the Programme Management Unit of the Project. He/ she will also work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, Department of Energy in Vanuatu and CCR Team at UNDP Pacific Office.

The Project Engineer will ensure that renewable energy systems are deployed to the required standards of quality as per the prevalent engineering norms and best practices in close collaboration with counterparts, partners and relevant stakeholders. Highest standards of integrity, discretion and commitment to UNDP principles are essential as well as ability to meet deadlines and maintain high-quality of outputs working under pressure.

In particular, the Project Engineer will support the following functions:

Strategic planning for effective implementation

• Provide technical support to the PMU in planning and execution of activities, ensuring adherence to approved budgets and workplans aligning with UNDP’s programmatic priorities and objectives
• Develop project activity plans in accordance with the Annual Work Plan and Budget
• Carry out site assessments for information collection for implementation planning of the project
• Support to identify technical challenges and sectoral gaps in deployment of pico hydro and solar systems in Vanuatu and measures to address these in close consultation with stakeholders
• Support to develop renewable energy operation and management modalities with key considerations of the government and UNDP’s vision, plans and priorities
• Develop plans, prepare necessary documentations, and participate in procurement processes as per UNDP procurement policies and procedures working closely with the procurement team
• Provide technical backstopping to the Project Manager on key issues or potential risks including identifying and establishing strategic plans for technical and social risk preventions and mitigations

Construction supervision, monitoring and reporting

• Review and update the feasibility reports including technical designs of the demonstration projects in close coordination with DoE. Prepare Bill of Quantity, cost estimate, specifications etc. and provide necessary procurement support for selection of contractors
• Plan and prepare periodic work plan for construction works in close consultation with the contractor and the project developer
• Provide support to mobilize the beneficiary households for their active participation into the project activities
• Support in obtaining required permits and clearances, if any, to ensure smooth implementation of construction activities
• Execute effective and efficient construction supervision works at site ensuring compliance with approved design, plans, schedules and construction standards and procedures
• In close collaboration with the contractors, develop monitoring templates with indicators to track and measure the contractor’s quantities and qualities of works at the site against established work plans and contract agreement
• Monitor the construction activities to ensure that contractor’s activities at the site are in accordance with contract terms and conditions, technical specifications and other relevant documents and promptly report any abnormalities
• Conduct regular site monitoring for updates and progress of activities, including verification of any project related issues and discrepancies seen during implementation of the activities
• Review contractor’s payment activities and financial progress to harmonize with completed works at site including verification of invoices from contractors prior to recommendation for payment
• Validate variations in quantities at the site for issuing variation orders
• Review contractor’s technical documents and reports for conformity with relevant documents
• Ensure timely completion of the construction works by identifying bottlenecks and seeking corrective measures for emerging problems that may delay completion
• Ensure all legal, regulatory and/or donor requirements are adhered to at the project sites
• Assist in testing and commissioning of the installed pico hydropower and solar projects and provide post installation support to completed projects
• Assist in conflict resolution at the field level during planning, implementation and post installation phases and provide technical advice to the project developer in case of conflicts with contractors
• Ensure timely data collection for reporting on activities, outputs, and outcomes; and contribute to the preparation of periodic narrative and financial progress reports, including donor reports
• Support the Project Manager in monitoring and evaluation, gender mainstreaming and social and environmental standard activities
• Carry out other relevant activities at the national and subnational levels to ensure successful planning, implementation and adoption of renewable energy systems
• Perform any other duties and related technical works as requested by the Project Manager

Collaboration and coordination with stakeholders

• Coordinate closely with project stakeholders and key government actors to ensure project ownership, required support, approvals, etc.
• Organize and participate in technical meetings with contractors, consultants and stakeholders
• Provide technical support to stakeholders on technical aspects of pico hydropower and solar installations
• Explore networking possibilities with governmental and non-governmental agencies and national/international organizations to identify possible avenues of collaboration and synergies both at the national and subnational levels

Capacity building and knowledge management

• Conduct periodic capacity needs assessment of stakeholders on technical and managerial aspects aimed at ensuring sustainability of pico hydro and solar operation and management
• Support to develop, manage and implement capacity development activities for stakeholders on sustainable planning, implementation, operation and maintenance of the installed energy systems in close collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, Department of Energy in Vanuatu
• Contribute to development of manuals, guidelines, and other relevant technical documentations
• Support during formulation of national documents such as policy, codes, and standards for pico hydro and solar in Vanuatu in close collaboration with DoE
• Participate in technical meetings with stakeholders and contribute to discussions on performance improvement and/or lessons learnt for quality
• Provide technical support to the Project Manager during board meetings and
• Develop and carry out a personal learning plan including knowledge sharing among the project team members

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.