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• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)   
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts 
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background and Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading organization for sustainable development within the UN system, acting as the key integrator to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP”s work spans headquarters, regional, and country levels, leveraging local expertise alongside global insights to deliver effective advocacy and solutions. The Global Policy Network (GPN) is central to this effort, mobilizing technical expertise to support UNDP”s strategic objectives and six “signature solutions.”
Energy is one of UNDP”s six signature solutions, alongside poverty alleviation, governance, resilience, environmental sustainability, and gender equality. These solutions steer countries toward three primary objectives: structural transformation, inclusivity, and resilience. UNDP”s energy strategy aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), concentrating on three key areas: enhancing access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy; boosting energy efficiency; and increasing the proportion of renewable energy in the overall energy mix. To achieve these objectives, UNDP is supporting countries in developing net-zero, people-centered societies through an equitable and sustainable energy transition. With a strong commitment to fostering an integrated approach that promotes energy as a catalyst for development, UNDP aims to mobilize partners to ensure that an additional 500 million people have access to sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy by 2025, leaving no one behind.
UNDP employs a variety of integrated strategies, including policy reform, technology implementation, financial solutions, delivery systems, capacity building, community engagement, and awareness- raising efforts. These initiatives are designed to eliminate barriers to sustainable energy investments and facilitate global energy transitions. The emphasis will be on mobilizing partnerships and inspiring actions to ensure that 500 million people, particularly those in the world”s poorest communities, have access to sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy—encompassing both electricity and clean cooking—by 2025.
The “Energy for Growth in Africa” initiative is a pivotal element of our overarching strategy, developed in partnership with G7 and building on the foundation that was laid by Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership. This program aims to identify clean energy projects across Africa that face challenges in securing financing, providing essential support through de-risking instruments to enhance their attractiveness to international investors. By aggregating and rigorously evaluating these projects, the initiative reduces perceived investor risk by leveraging the advantages of scale and effectively deploying concessional catalytic capital to boost private sector investment. Operating primarily through UNDP Country Offices, the program identifies projects that align with national energy priorities and equips them with the necessary support to secure financing. Through collaborations with development partners and international financial institutions, alongside close integration with the broader UNDP framework, the initiative assists projects throughout their entire life cycle—ranging from project preparation with technical assistance to risk mitigation through insurance instruments and the mobilization of finance. Kenya is among the countries actively implementing this program. The initiative currently operates in twelve African countries, including Congo Brazzaville, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Zambia, Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Comoros with plans for further expansion. It focuses on markets with limited access to commercial finance and coordinates with G7 and other multilateral efforts to integrate complementary actions, streamline funding, and enhance the delivery of de-risking instruments and financial resources to projects in the “Energy for Growth” pipeline.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Scope of Work

The Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition is seeking an Energy Finance Specialist to advance UNDP”s mission in Kenya through the “Energy for Growth in Africa” programme. The implementing the partnership’s initiatives, working closely with the UNDP Country Office in Kenya to ensure effective coordination.
The primary focus of this role will be to identify and support national and country-specific activities that can accelerate the clean energy transition, driving progress toward UNDP”s energy objectives in the region. The Energy Finance Specialist will provide strategic insights and technical expertise to ensure alignment with both national needs and global energy goals, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy future for Kenya.
Energy Finance Specialist will be instrumental in executing the initiatives of the partnership and will collaborate closely with the UNDP Kenya Office to ensure efficient coordination with the supervision of UNDP Rome Center Energy for Growth in Africa Team. The Energy Finance Specialist will support UNDP Kenya in expediting the energy transition in Kenya, in accordance with UNDP”s energy goals in the region. The position will entail creating new initiatives in a cohesive manner, with an emphasis on sustainable energy and climate change actions to capitalize on opportunities for enhancing and refining energy strategies tailored to the Kenyan context.
Duties and Responsibilities

The Renewable Energy Specialist will act as the focal point for the UNDP Rome Center”s ‘’Energy for Growth initiative in Africa’’, providing essential advice and technical expertise, advocating for change, building relationships, and sharing knowledge in the areas of clean energy transition This role involves identifying regional and country-specific initiatives that can facilitate energy transition and support both regional and national climate objectives, aligning with the goals and scope of Energy for Growth in Africa. S/he will enhance the capabilities of the UNDP Kenya Office in the clean energy and climate sectors by offering specialized expertise and technical skills, particularly in these key areas:

Project Identification and Origination:

• Identify clean energy projects that lack sufficient capital for development;
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of clean energy projects in collaboration with UNDP Country Office;
•   Coordinate with stakeholders to align project identification with national priorities and the objectives of the Energy for Growth initiative;
• Develop a country engagement strategy for Kenya, analyze current economic trends, identify emerging opportunities, and align efforts to promote Energy for Growth initiative in Kenya.

Build Strategic stakeholder Engagement and Coordination:

• Engage with energy sector stakeholders—including government agencies, private investors, and development institutions, particularly G7 development partners, to foster collaboration and ensure alignment with G7 priorities;
•  Lead and support the development of partnerships with relevant UN Agencies, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society organizations to pursue institutional and policy development for effective implementation of the Energy for Growth initiative;
•  Develop and execute a comprehensive engagement strategy for Kenyan ensuring that stakeholder engagement align with the objectives of the Energy for Growth in Africa initiative;
•   Support the organization of stakeholder meetings and related events and prepare technical advisory work, policy, and communication materials including advice to the country office’s related approaches and initiatives in the area of energy access and transition;
• Map and engage key stakeholders, including government agencies, Development partners, NGOs, private investors, and energy service providers.

  Lead Project Risk Mitigation and Enhancement:

•  Provide technical expertise to assess the risks associated with the identified energy projects, particularly in terms of financing and bankability;
• Advice and implement de-risking mechanisms, including technical assistance, catalytic funds for blended finance structures, and insurance for political and off-taker risks;
•  Collaborate with financial institutions and other partners to ensure project risks are addressed effectively to enhance the attractiveness of projects for investment.

Lead knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and technical Assistance: 

• Provide technical expertise and strategic guidance to clean energy projects at the development stage, including feasibility assessments, power purchase agreements, and environmental and social impact assessments;
•   Lead and support the UNDP Country Office in building capacity related to clean energy project preparation and implementation;
• Lead and support country programming that links and strengthens existing efforts on long-term energy planning (e.g., as stated in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as well as flagship initiatives.

Reporting and Monitoring:

• Prepare a quarterly report on project progress, including updates on project identification, risk mitigation activities, stakeholder engagement, and investment facilitation;
•  Prepare regular report on the status of engagement with G7 and other development partners covering key developments, collaborative initiatives, challenges encountered, and recommendations for strengthening partnerships;
• Develop monitoring tools to track the implementation of supported projects in achieving energy access and economic development objectives;
• Provide feedback and lessons learned to enhance the impact of the Energy for Growth in Africa initiative.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Energy Finance Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the “Energy for Growth in Africa” team lead at the UNDP Rome Center, with a second reporting line to the Deputy Resident Representative for Programmes at the Kenya Country Office.
Competencies

Core

• Achieve Results:- LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
•  Think Innovatively:- LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously:-LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
•  Adapt with Agility:-LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
•  Act with Determination:-LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner:- LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:- LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Management:- Partnerships Management

• 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:- Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization”s programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity.
• Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Business Management:- Operations Management

• Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner
•  Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms

Business Direction and  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 Direction and Strategy:– Business acumen

• Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such framework.

Partnership management:- Resource mobilization

• Ability to identify funding sources, match    funding needs (programs/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.

Communications:– Advocacy strategy and implementation

•        Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Min. Academic Education   

• Advanced university degree (or equivalent) in Renewable Energy, Climate Change, International Development, Finance, Energy Policy, Engineering, other related fields is required or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Min. years of relevant Work experience

•  Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in executing clean energy projects in Kenya, offering policy guidance and program support in the broader fields of sustainable development, climate change, and green growth across various development scenarios.

Required skills and competencies

 Experience in:

• Analysis of energy projects, focus on renewable, energy efficiency, distributed generation, productive use, clean cooking (this will depend on what the CO thinks we need to be doing);
•  Energy market, pricing mechanisms, regulatory frameworks for the energy sector;
•  Energy finance structures.

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Experience in providing operational and project/programme management support for projects/programmes related to sustainable energy and climate change, prior work experience with UNDP;
• Experience in demonstrated capacity in elaborating investment plans in the field of energy, particularly in the field of energy access and transition with a focus on energy financing mechanism;
• Experience in creating energy investment facilities, mobilizing resources, engaging partnerships, and managing risks for clean energy investments with UNDP or other international organizations;
• Substantive understanding of energy policies, regulations, and incentives at local and national levels, notably in Africa;
• Experience in developing strategies for unlocking renewable energy financing (working experience with actors such as IFC/ World Bank, Africa Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, European Investment Bank and other Multilateral Development Banks);
• Experience in fostering partnerships between public and private entities to leverage resources and finance energy projects;
• Experience with development policy financing for clean energy projects;
• Knowledge of cross-cutting issues, including gender equality, human rights and Sustainable Development Goals;
• Experience in actively engaging with various public and private stakeholders in Kenya”s energy sector through projects and programs;
• Experience in media outreach focused on sustainable energy, as well as coordinating youth and women in sustainable energy initiatives in Kenya;
• Experience at a professional level in a large international or governmental organization, prior experience working with UN system agencies;
• Experience with policy research and publications on topics such as sustainable development, green transition, climate, environment, and sustainable energy;
• Ability to negotiate terms and conditions of financing agreements, contracts, and partnerships with stakeholders;
• Technical/advisory experience in the UN System related to climate change and energy;
• Relevant partnership experience and network development in the field of SDG 7 in Africa.

Required Language(s) (at working level)

•  Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required.
•  Knowledge or fluency in other official UN languages is an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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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