UNOPS South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia – 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2024, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

Background Information – Job Specific

The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) brings together governments and philanthropies to work with partner countries in the region. We support the transition towards modern energy systems that can simultaneously ensure economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability. Enabling the transition toward greener energy systems will greatly contribute to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement objectives.

ETP focuses on Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, which are the countries in the region with the highest energy demand, a substantial pipeline for fossil fuel-based projects, and a significant and cost-effective potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency. ETP provides high-level technical advisory support, holistic support to Governments on financing and technical needs, capacity and skill development, and facilitation of dialogues in all related areas.

Technical Senior Officer – Environmental’s Role

This is not a full-time position. Retainer contractors will carry out tasks on an intermittent basis, called upon to work when needed or as planned. There are no guaranteed minimum working hours or days.

The Technical Senior Officer – Environmental will be part of ETP’s retainer pool and provide support to ETP’s technical assistance for the Philippine Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in streamlining regulatory procedures, and enhancing the efficiency of regulatory processes to optimize use of ERC’s resources. With around 26,000 pending applications for approvals, the ERC has an opportunity to transform its procedures. By reducing bottlenecks, this support can contribute to accelerating renewable energy investments, optimize regulatory efficiency, and ultimately lower electricity costs for consumers by minimizing the current “inefficiency tariff”, which adds up to 28% of generation costs.

Given the urgency of addressing bureaucratic delays, the role will support the regulatory function of ERC in facilitating the integration of variable renewable energy sources, support energy efficiency measures, and expand smart grid capabilities. These efforts align with the government’s compliance with R.A. No. 11032 (Ease of Doing Business Act), which is essential to attract additional RE investments, empower consumer choice, and reduce electricity tariffs. The Technical Senior Officer – Environmental will support the ERC in regulatory functions to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, streamline regulatory processes, and empower consumer participation in programs like the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP).

Under the guidance and supervision of the Senior Programmed Manager based in Thailand, the Technical Senior Officer – Environmental will work closely with ETP Country Coordinators in the Philippines to perform the tasks outlined in section III.

1. Programme Implementation
2. Coordination Functions
3. Knowledge Management

1. Programme Implementation

• Provide analysis and recommendations on streamlining and improving efficiency of regulatory procedures to facilitate renewable energy investments
• Provide expert analysis in assessing renewable energy mechanisms such as the Green Energy Option Program and comment on their effectiveness in promoting sustainable energy use and achieving national renewable energy targets, with actionable recommendations for improvement.
• Provide comments and recommendations related to rules or regulations on integrating variable renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart grids, and market mechanisms.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or similar) or higher degree is required, preferably in political science, economics, electrical engineering, and related fields.
• A first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in above-mentioned fields with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree or higher degree.
• Successful completion of the Philippines’ Bar Examination is required.

Experience

• A Minimum of two years (2) years of professional experience in a legal environment or in relation to law/political science/public administration or other fields relevant to the aforementioned functions is required.
• Experience in the energy field is desired.
• Demonstrated track record in legal research and legal writing, in relation to the energy sector is an advantage.
• Previous successful involvement with, and good knowledge of, donor, government, private sector and civil society is desired.

Contract type: Local ICA Specialist

Contract level: LICA-9/ICS-9

Contract duration: 15 February 2025 – 30 June 2026 (16.5 months) with a possibility of extension subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Note:

• This vacancy is open only to Philippine nationals or those who have a valid residence permit in the country of assignment.
• This is not a full-time position. Retainers may be requested to carry out tasks on an intermittent and need basis. There are no minimum hours or days guaranteed.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.