Background about SEforALL

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization working with leaders in government, the private sector and civil society to drive further, faster action toward achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030, and the Paris Agreement, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate warming to well below 2° Celsius (and striving for 1.5° Celsius).

Achieving these goals will require a radical rethink of the way we produce, distribute and consume energy. SEforALL is at the heart of this foundational shift to ensure no one is left behind. Drawing on data and evidence, we identify a critical path to success in achieving SDG7.

The 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Now an independent organization, we maintain close links with the UN, including through a relationship agreement, partnerships with UN agencies and with SEforALL’s CEO acting as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative (SRSG) for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. These roles include advising the UN Secretary General and his staff on issues relating to sustainable energy and the implementation of SDG7 and supporting the coordination of sustainable energy issues in the United Nations system.

The ambitions of SDG7 are extraordinary. Aiming to achieve them in the context of the Paris Agreement on climate change involves transformation at a scale never undertaken before. Swift action must be taken by leaders in governments, private sector companies, institutions, financiers, development banks, unions, communities, entrepreneurs and civil society. As we enter the final decade to achieve SDG7, SEforALL has strategically chosen to strengthen global agenda-setting while expanding its activities to an engagement model that prioritizes data-driven decision-making, partnerships with high-impact countries and implementation on the ground. SEforALL’s current three-year business plan outlines “results offers” that scope out our planned interventions and demonstrate to our funding partners the impact of their support.

Context and Objective of Assignment

Recognizing the critical role of decarbonizing the electricity sector to achieve climate goals and a just energy transition, UN-Energy and SEforALL launched a multi-stakeholder Energy Compact designed to transform global electricity grids to “absolute zero” – or full decarbonization – by adopting, enabling, and advancing 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy. Momentum has continued to build, with the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) Compact now having over 140 signatories. The imperative is to utilize this global platform to support signatories on their 24/7 CFE journey and to continue growing the movement to help drive global decarbonization.

Despite the shown interest, a large pool of entities is needed to build a global 24/7 movement. Moreover, the signatories face many real challenges to achieving 24/7 CFE. Currently, energy systems (infrastructure, policy and regulation and electricity markets design) are only partially structured to allow 24/7 CFE. It is important for organisations consuming or procuring energy to have the right conditions and incentives to invest in their own renewable energy infrastructure and work closely with their suppliers.

The 24/7 CFE Compact aims to be a platform to accelerate the progress to net zero and minimise the effects of climate change, bringing together the private sector, cities, NGOs, philanthropies, national governments, and civil society, in tandem with one another to overcome the barriers preventing 24/7 CFE to become a reality at global level.

Purpose/Objective of the Role

The main objectives of the role include but not limited to:

• Lead coordination efforts with 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy partners to facilitate effective collaboration and alignment of goals.
• Drive the expansion and engagement of the Energy Compacts, specifically focusing on the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact and the Energy Compact Action Network, to enhance global participation and impact.

Main Duties and Tasks of the Role

The main duties and tasks of the role include, but are not limited to:

1. Strategic Leadership and Coordination:

• Serve as the primary liaison for engagements with 24/7 CFE partner organizations.
• Strategically expand partner networks and deepen existing relationships to bolster the Compact’s objectives and reach.

2. Reporting and Communication:

• Compile and disseminate regular progress reports and updates on activities within the Energy Compact network to stakeholders and partners.
• Develop and refine key messaging to enhance the Compact’s visibility, awareness, and impact on a global scale.

3. Research and Analysis:

• Conduct detailed research and data analysis to monitor and articulate the benefits and progress of the Compact.
• Create case studies, value propositions, and toolkits to highlight and promote the work of key members.

4. Event and Workshop Management:

• Organize and support significant events, such as stakeholder engagements, workshops and conferences
• Facilitate virtual and in-person convenings of signatories to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.

5. Outreach and Expansion:

• Lead high-level outreach initiatives to governments, cities, companies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to encourage their commitment to the Compact.
• Develop strategies to attract new signatories and partners by presenting tailored benefits and the strategic value of joining the Compact.

6. Support and Capacity Building:

• Provide ongoing support to Compact signatories through technical assistance, regulatory guidance, and policy advocacy.
• Collaborate with members to identify and overcome barriers to implementing 24/7 carbon-free energy solutions.

7. Project Management and Prioritization:

• Manage new projects and prioritize high-impact tasks to ensure they are delivered with precision and pace.
• Lead initiatives that require cross-functional coordination and report on project statuses and outcomes.

8. Innovation and Continuous Improvement:

• Identify opportunities for innovation within the Compact’s strategy and operations.
• Engage with the latest research and trends in the energy sector to keep the Compact at the forefront of the decarbonization movement.

Specific Competencies for the Role

• Master’s degree in a related field such as economics, business administration, environmental management, energy, statistics or other relevant field.
• A minimum of 5 years of years relevant experience working on energy or electricity market.
• Comprehensive knowledge of energy policies, regulatory frameworks, and renewable energy transitions.
• Proficiency in building relationships and achieving consensus among diverse stakeholder groups.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives, managing multiple projects with efficiency.
• Expertise in renewable energy technologies and understanding of electricity markets and infrastructure challenges.
• Strong analytical and research skills to inform strategies and assess program effectiveness.
• Excellent communication abilities for effective messaging, advocacy, and public representation.
• Experienced in project management, adept at prioritizing and delivering projects under tight deadlines.
• Highly adaptable and skilled in solving complex problems creatively and effectively.
• Capable of providing technical support and enhancing stakeholder capacity for better participation in initiatives.

General Competences for the Role

• Innovation and Adaptability: Has proficient skills and commitment to search for and produce innovative and creative approaches to activities. Is flexible to evolving circumstances, as well as helps others in doing so
• Resilience and Emotional Intelligence: Has proficient knowledge in the concepts of resilience and emotional intelligence. Is able to remain calm in challenging situations, to cope with setbacks, is responsive to the emotions of others and maintains a high level of performance.
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking: Has a proficient level of analytical and strategic thinking skills. Gathers and processes demanding information, develops innovative solutions and contributes by representing topics/approaches in internal working groups/teams.
• Collaboration and Partnership: Demonstrates proficient initiative and abilities to collaborate and partner with others in own are, and across teams. Identifies, develops, builds and actively promotes partnerships and collaboration, maintaining long-lasting partnerships. Displays team-oriented attitude contributing to creating a positive team spirit.
• Lead and Empower: Demonstrates initiative and role model behaviour in leading and empowering others. Takes responsibility for own work activities and personal actions and carries out the commitments agreed upon.
• Political and diplomatic understanding: Has a proficient level of political and diplomatic understanding.
• Communicating information: Has expert skills in communicating information and uses the skills effectively in own scope of work and in others’ work.
• Research and Analytics: Has proficient skills in research and analytics and uses the skills effectively in own scope of work.
• Project Management: Has proficient skills in project management. Plans and organises their own work using project management tools in support of achieving the team’s objectives.
• Client Orientation / Striving for Excellence: Has proficient skills in client orientation and achieving excellency in work delivery.

Our Values – please refer to our core values as defined here: https://www.seforall.org/who-we-are/staff/our-values.

Salary information: SEforALL has adopted its own salary scales corresponding to the SEforALL grading system. The minimum yearly salary for this position is EUR 52,370. The actual salary offer will be determined within the scale depending on the successful candidate’s qualification and experience, and applying the principle of internal equity. In addition to the base salary, SEforALL staff receive a benefits package that includes contribution to pension and contribution to health insurance.

Additional Considerations

• SEforALL offers exciting high-impact assignments, a collegial and creative work environment, and the opportunity for committed professionals to thrive and grow within flat hierarchies and in the pursuit of an inspiring mission.
• SEforALL provides competitive compensation packages at its locations in Vienna, Washington DC, New York City, and Abuja, and flexibility and result orientated modern workplace arrangements.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• SEforALL reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post

Your data will not be passed on to third parties outside SEforALL. We will only use your data to the extent necessary for the purposes of selecting personnel in accordance with the applicable data protection regulations.

We will only disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by a court´s or administrative authority´s decision. In such a case, we will inform you as soon as possible of such an order so that you can take legal action against it if necessary. Please email to careers@seforall.org if you require updates to your information in accordance with Art. 5 lit. d of the GDPR