Job Description

Under the overall guidance of Resident Representative (RR) and Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), and under the direct supervision of the Inclusive Growth Programme Manager, the Programme Analyst-Energy will be responsible for the following:1. Programme Design, Ideation and Solution Development:

• Ideation and Conceptual Design: Use creativity and conceptual skills to design cutting-edge, human-centered energy solutions that address the diverse challenges facing South Africa;
• Focus on crafting innovative solutions that are sustainable, accessible, and inclusive, with a particular emphasis on rural and underserved communities;
• Human-Centered Development Solutions: Ensure that energy solutions are developed with the needs of the community at their core, including affordability; accessibility, and user-friendliness. Embrace participatory approaches in designing and implementing energy interventions;
• Designing Solutions for Energy Access: Create and implement energy access solutions, including off-grid and mini-grid systems, that serve communities without reliable energy sources. These solutions should reflect a deep understanding of local contexts, leveraging renewable energy technologies and appropriate distribution models;
• Policy Integration: Ensure that energy programmes are aligned with national policies and international climate and energy frameworks. Promote and integrate renewable energy solutions, energy efficiency measures, and decarbonization strategies into national and local planning processes;
• Decarbonization Initiatives: Contribute to the development of strategies that support South Africa's just transition to low-carbon energy solutions. Focus on scaling renewable energy technologies and reducing dependence on fossil fuels;
• Climate Change Mitigation: Ensure that energy projects align with South Africa's climate change mitigation targets, supporting the country's commitments under the Paris Agreement.

2. Programme & Project cycle Management:

• Implementation Oversight: Monitor and manage the execution of energy programmes, ensuring adherence to UNDP policies and guidelines. Ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with key objectives;
• Monitoring and Reporting: Ensure that projects are effectively monitored, and that progress is tracked against established targets and outcomes. Ensure that regular reports are prepared and submitted to key stakeholders, providing clear insights into progress, challenges, and opportunities;
• Quality Assurance: Monitor project activities to ensure compliance with UNDP rules and regulations. Work closely with project teams to identify and mitigate risks, ensuring that the projects remain on schedule and within budget;
• Evaluation: Ensure that all energy-related projects undergo periodic evaluations in line with UNDP's evaluation policies and guidelines. Coordinate the evaluation process, including developing terms of reference, selecting evaluators, and ensuring that lessons learned are captured and integrated into future programming.

3. Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization:

• Fostering Partnerships: Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, the private sector, international financial institutions (IFIs), development partners, and civil society to ensure coordinated action on energy challenges;
• Resource Mobilization: Assist in securing funding for energy projects by preparing funding proposals, engaging with donors, and exploring diverse financing mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, blended finance, and climate finance opportunities;
• Private Sector Engagement: Work to create and foster opportunities for private sector involvement in energy projects, particularly in areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy access for underserved populations.

4. Thought Leadership and Advocacy and knowledge sharing:

• Policy Advocacy and: Actively engage in high-level policy dialogues and energy discussions, advocating for policies that balance energy access, efficiency, and sustainability while addressing the energy crisis in South Africa;
• Knowledge Sharing: Support the development of high-quality written materials, including policy briefs, reports, and research papers, contributing to the national and global discourse on energy solutions. Promote the integration of energy access, renewable energy, and decarbonization into broader development agendas;
• Engagement in Knowledge Networks: Contribute to UNDP's global and regional knowledge networks, sharing experiences, lessons learned, and best practices related to energy access, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Position UNDP as a thought leader in the energy sector through publications, webinars, and technical resources;
• Capacity Strengthening: Support the capacity-building efforts of national and local governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector in implementing sustainable energy solutions;
• Technical Support: Provide technical assistance on policy development, project implementation, and innovative energy solutions, ensuring the successful delivery of energy projects.

5. Energy Access and Efficiency:

• Energy Access Initiatives: Assist in the identification and development of innovative energy access solutions, particularly for rural and underserved communities, including off-grid and mini-grid solutions;
• Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Support the scaling up of energy efficiency solutions, including demand-side management and energy-saving technologies, with a focus on both residential and industrial sectors;
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional ArrangementThe position is under the overall guidance of RR and DRR, and under the direct supervision of the Inclusive Growth Programme Manager.CompetenciesCore competencies

• Achieve Results: 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 competenciesProject Management:

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Strategic Thinking:

• Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP's mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks;
• Link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions;
• Learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Partnership 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.

Communication:

• 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.

Sustainable Energy Hub:

• Just Energy Transition.

Required Skills and ExperienceEducation:

• An Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Renewable Energy, Energy Economics, Sustainable Development, or a related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years (with master's degree) or 4 years (with bachelor's degree) of professional experience in the energy sector, particularly in energy access, renewable energy, energy efficiency, or energy policy;
• Proven strong conceptual and ideation skills to design innovative, human-centered energy solutions;
• Demonstrated strong understanding of the energy sector, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy access, and decarbonization strategies;
• Experience in project management, monitoring, and compliance;
• Experience in overseeing energy projects from design through implementation and evaluation;
• Proven ability to engage with senior stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, and the private sector;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other tools relevant to energy project management;
• Proven experience with concept development and pitching ideas for resource mobilization and engagement with donors, development partners, and the private sector;
• Proven experience in managing /overseeing project implementation in the energy sector, ensuring compliance with policies and guidelines;
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation of energy-related projects, including tracking results, preparing reports, and conducting evaluations;
• Knowledge of South Africa's energy landscape and the country's challenges in addressing energy security, sustainability, and climate change.
• Proven ability to work well in teams in a diverse cultural organization.

Required Language

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.

Equal opportunityAs 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 authorityUNDP 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 candidatesUNDP 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.Scam alertUNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

United Nations Development Programme