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Office/Unit/Project Description
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDPโs policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
The UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) current support to the Government of Mauritius in the energy sector includes several on-going and pipeline projects, which are in line with the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement to reduce GHG emissions by 40% and increase the share of renewable energy to 60% in the national energy mix by 2030.ย
The UNDP MCO consists of a diverse portfolio worth USD 65 million including GCF, GEF, Adaptation Fund, EU, Japan Supplementary Budget, and UNDP TRAC 2 projects. Key projects currently under implementation include โAccelerating the Transformational Shift to a Low Carbon Economyโ funded by the GCF and 'Promoting Low Carbon Electric Public Bus Transport in Mauritius' funded by the GEF. The energy efficiency project โRealizing Energy Savings and Climate Benefits of Implementing Mandatory Energy Auditing in the Republic of Mauritiusโ is expected to initiate implementation shortly.
Scope of Work:
The UNDP MCO for Mauritius and Seychelles is seeking to recruit a Programme Technical Specialist for Climate Change and Energy with a strong technical background in climate and energy, and climate finance and project management for immediate placement at the Mauritius Country Office (CO).ย
The Programme Technical Specialist for Climate Change and Energy is primarily responsible for providing overall technical backstopping and oversight support in climate change and energy to the Environment Unit, policy, and programming for the climate and energy portfolio of UNDP MCO for Mauritius, for the GCF and GEF energy portfolio.ย
The Programme Technical Specialist for Climate Change and Energy will also facilitate in ensuring coherence and synergies in the climate and energy programming of the UNDP MCO, for the articulation of the GCF project โAccelerating the Transformational Shift to a Low Carbon Economyโ with other climate and energy initiatives. Under the direction of the Environment Team Leader, s/he will work with other UN agencies, development agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGOโs, donors, the private sector, and other stakeholders.ย
The UNDP MCO for Mauritius and Seychelles is seeking to recruit a Programme Technical Specialist for Climate Change and Energy with a strong technical background in climate and energy, and climate finance and project management for immediate placement at the Mauritius Country Office (CO).ย
The Programme Technical Specialist for Climate Change and Energy will be responsible for the following:
1. Ensure effective strategic direction of the Environment Unit on Climate change and Energy areas:
Contribute to defining the strategic direction of the Environment Unit on climate change and energy, with a focus on building synergies with the GCF and GEF portfolio.2. Provide technical advisory services and technical oversight of the Environment Unit climate change & energy portfolio, in particular the GCF and GEF portfolio:
Provide technical support and inputs to support the Team Leader to ensure effective and efficient management of the Environment Unit climate and energy portfolio, in particular the GCF and GEF portfolio;ย Advise on timely and well-sequenced execution of approved work plans and programmes, using multiyear framework for planning, budgeting, and reporting, including the development of strategies to ensure delivery acceleration and timely reporting of results while managing risks of exposure to audit recommendations and maintaining UNDP standing and reputation, for the GCF and GEF energy portfolio; Ensure strategic and operational oversight of planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources as per commitments with key partners and in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations for the GCF and GEF energy portfolio; Advise the Environment Unit Team Leader on delivery implementation challenges and seek support from the other team leaders to resolve obstacles and bottlenecks; Contribute to the timely organization of project audits under the GCF and GEF energy portfolio and follow-up for prompt implementation of audit recommendations including updates in the Comprehensive Audit and Recommendation Database System (CARDS); Support the management and mitigation of risks and issues timely and appropriately while raising them to senior management attention as required.3. Ensure effective and efficient oversight of the climate change and energy portfolio, in particular the GCF and GEF portfolio:
Provide day to day support to unit team, quality assurance, troubleshooting and supervision to the unit team;ย Facilitate the Unit meetings organization, document the deliberations as well as agreed action points and ensure the timely follow-up of their implementations programme; Contribute to the M&E program and actions;ย Promote gender equity/empowerment in programming opportunities;ย Provide technical advice on renewable energy, energy efficiency and e-mobility, in relation to the ongoing energy VF portfolio, to enhance coherence and synergies.4. Knowledge Management to the Mauritius and Seychelles MCO:
Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to climate change and energy portfolio; Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia; Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application; Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues; Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the portfolio, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the portfolio, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with partners and to support UNDPโs engagement in this area; Promote advocacy for UNDPโs work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends 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 Arrangement
The Programme Technical Specialist for Climate Change and Energy will work under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the Environment Unit. S/he will also work closely with the Climate Change Mitigation Regional Technical Advisor through the Team Leader of the Environment Unit in line with the VF oversight and accountability framework.
Competencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Results:ย 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:ย LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences; Adapt with Agility:ย 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:ย LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration; Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicatedย site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competenciesย
Business Direction and Strategy
System Thinking Ability to useย 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. Entrepreneurial Thinking Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDPโs organizational priorities and mandate.Business Management
Partnerships Managementย 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.Partnership Management
Resource Management Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.2030 Agenda Planet
Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery Disaster and Climate Risk Governance. Nature, Climate and Energy Climate Change Adaptation: strategiesRequirements:
Min. Education requirements:
Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in Energy, Engineering, Climate Change, Finance, Environment economics or related field is required OR; A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the above fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Minimum years of relevant work experience:
Minimum of five (5) years (with masterโs degree) or seven (7) years (with bachelorโs degree) in the design of programmes / projects on climate change, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and/or assessment of investment projects involving low-carbon technologies, climate finance and others is required; At least three (3) years of experience in managing or providing technical assistance to nationally (Mauritius) or internationally funded projects/programmes (UNDP and/or international organizations/UN agencies/MDBs/DFIs) is required.Required skills:
Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
Experience in overseeing the implementation of climate change, energy, and sustainable transportation projects including estimation of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions is highly desirable; Experience in development projects with public institutions is an asset.Required Language(s)
Fluency in English (both written and oral), and Mauritian Creole is required; Working knowledge ofย French (both written and oral) is desired.Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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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