UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in 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. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP

Project background

The European Union Delegation (EUD) in Lesotho in partnership with the Government of Lesotho is implementing Renewable Lesotho programme aimed at contributing to a green and resilient economy by promoting energy security, access to reliable and affordable clean energy, and growth. The Renewable Lesotho aims to increase renewable energy generation capacity and energy efficiency, promote a more equitable and gender-transformative access to clean energy, and improve Lesotho’s energy sector leadership and institutional capacity. This will be achieved through implementation of the following programme components:

• Component 1: Market preparation through provision of technical assistance and mobilization of private investments  in renewable energies.
• Component 2: Granting Facility to provide results-based financing for off-grid energy solutions.
• Component 3: Lending Facility to provide financial support to project development.

The EUD is collaborating with different development partners to implement the mentioned programme components. The Component 2 of the Renewable Lesotho programme will be implemented by UNDP in partnership with Ministry responsible for energy. This component has a specific objective aiming at promoting a more equitable and gender-transformative access to clean energy to be achieved  through the following four outputs:

• Output 2.1: Establishment and operationalization of the Results-Based finance (RBF) funding mechanism.
• Output 2.2: Improved energy access window providing energy-efficient solutions for households.
• Output 2.3: Establishment of an energy application window to provide public service, commercial, and industrial facilities with renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions.
• Output 2.4: Effective and efficient programme management.

In light of the above, UNDP requires services of the Energy Analyst  to form part of the Result-Based Financing (RBF) funding facility management team responsible for successful implementation of the facility.

Scope of Work:

Coordinate effective project planning and implementation:

• Provide technical input into the  project planning process and ensure the work plan and a fully costed budget are prepared based on sound capacity assessments and in accordance with UNDP POPP/PPM Guidelines. Support coordination / management the day-to-day activities of the assigned portfolio and the overall implementation process, including planning and monitoring in order to optimize the use of resources and to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives and results specified in project document. Provide subject matter technical advice and support and ensure outputs are delivered on time, within the set budget and specified constraints, and to high-quality standards;
• Support  RBF management with implementation activities to ensure alignment with UNDP policy and programme management procedures and all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective/gender equality mainstreaming to the extent local context allows;
• Facilitate participatory engagement of stakeholders on project-related activities and priorities.

Establish partnerships and open channels of communication:

• Support implementation of M&E for RBF including d development of clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting;
• Monitor implementation and progress in achieving goals and targets in accordance with the established quality criteria and UNDP rules, regulations, and standards. Identify, analyze, and take adequate measures to manage emerging issues, problems, and risks. Conduct verification of set milestones for RBF facility supported activities and  field visits to project location sites;
• Provide input to management and technical reports and support preparation of corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and EU requirements;
• Keep record of all interactions conducted with various stakeholders and provide a summary report to RBF manager on monthly basis.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s):

• Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia;
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners;
• Facilitate awareness raising and public campaigns including use of both local and social media;
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area;
• Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff;
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangements

The Energy Analyst works under the general supervision of RBF Manager and collaborates closely with Department of Energy, UNDP and EUD.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Result: 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 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 Development

• Knowledge Facilitation
  • Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management

• Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Partnership 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.
• Communication
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Monitoring
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

Partnership 

• Partnership
  • Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Requirements:

Minimum education requirements:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics Engineering or relevant  related field is required, or;
• 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.

• Up to 2 years (with master’s degree) or minimum 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible and relevant hands-on experience at the national or international level in off-grid renewable energy initiatives/development contexts.

Required Skills:

• Experience/Solid knowledge of result-based management and project implementation;
• Experience/Good understanding of the national energy sector development;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and working knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, as well as experience in the handling of web-based management systems.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Good networking abilities and partnership development;
• Experience working directly with  off-gird energy solutions/technologies. in rural areas;
• Experience providing advisory services in development and delivery of off-grid energy solutions, and/or leading and managing energy projects;
• Experience coordinating with energy stakeholders including private sector.

Language

• Working proficiency in English and Sesotho.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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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