Background
UNDPย is the leading UN organization addressing poverty, inequality, and climate change, collaborating with experts and partners in 170 countries to create sustainable solutions. In Afghanistan, UNDP has over 50 years of experience in areas such as climate resilience, gender, governance, health, and livelihoods. Working within the framework of the SDGs and alongside other UN agencies, UNDP supports the Afghan people's aspirations for peace and prosperity.
Energy poverty significantly impacts the quality of life for both men and women, affecting health, employment, and access to basic services. Afghanistan faces a critical energy supply shortage, with demand far exceeding supply. The transmission and distribution grid are unreliable, leading to frequent outages. Many provinces rely on costly local diesel generators, limiting access to affordable energy and hindering economic, social, and educational opportunities for the poor and rural residents.
To address these challenges, the Federal Republic of Germany has funded the project โSustainable Energy Services for Education and Health in Afghanistan (SESEHA)โ through KfW, Germanyโs State-owned Investment and Development Bank. The key objective of the project SESEHA is adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in public facilities (primarily in health and education sectors) for sustained delivery of essential services for basic human needs in Afghanistan.
This project aligns with UNDPโs energy solutions and the UNโs Strategic Framework for Afghanistan 2023-2025, contributing to two key outcomes by the end of 2025:
Outcome 1: More people in Afghanistan, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized, including women and girls have their basic human needs progressively met through the sustained delivery of essential services.ย
Outcome 2: People in Afghanistan, especially women, youth, and other marginalized groups, and those at risk of being left behind benefit from a more equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient employment-rich economy and shared economic opportunities with enhanced productive capacities for improved livelihoods and decent work.
ย Duties and Responsibilities
The Technical Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Area Managerย with the guidance of SESEHA Project Managerย and liaise closely with the SESEHA Team based at the country office, consultants, and partners.
4.ย ย ย ย ย Institutional Arrangement
The Technical Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Area Manager with the guidance of SESEHA Project Manager and liaise closely with the SESEHA Team based at the country office, consultants, and partners.
ย Competencies ย Core ย 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 improvementsย 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 flexibleย Act with Determination:ย 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 discriminationย
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management Resultsโbased management Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools. Business Development Knowledge Generation Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. 2030 Agenda: Partnerships Sustainable Energy Hub Renewable energy
2030 Agenda: People
Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.ย
Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Management Communicationย ย ย ย ย ย 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. ยAbility to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Required Skills and Experience ย Min. Education requirementsย Secondary education is required. A university degree (Bachelorยดs degree) in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or Environmental Management will be given due consideration but is not a requirement. Min. years of relevant work experienceย ยMinimum of 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelorโs degree) with relevant experience in Renewable Energy, On-grid and Off-grid Solar Energy Systems, including solid experience in the implementation of solar PV projects.ย
Experience and familiarity with the region is a requirement.
Required skillsย ย Demonstrated experience in renewable energy systems design and implementation. Demonstrated experience in energy consumption and data collection methods. Demonstrated work experience in renewable energy projects implementation in Afghanistan. Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies sectionย Practical use ofย AutoCAD, Pvsys, PVSol, or related software will be an added advantage. Previous experience with the UN,ย and/or multilateral and bi-lateral aid organizations. Strong knowledge of photovoltaic system design (renewable energy) and optimizing system components for energy production in off-grid and rooftop Solar energy systems is highly desired. Prior UNDP experience and familiarity with its policies and procedures, particularly in the applicable job area. Experience in providing technical support in renewable energy-related projects with accountability for project performance. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to work in a challenging, time sensitive, rapidly changing environment, and to work collaboratively with a diverse team. Required Language(s)ย ยFluency in English is required.ย
Fluency in Pashtu and or Dari is required.
ย ย Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.ย
7.ย ย ย ย The following documents shall be required from the applicants:
ย
Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position. UNDP may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of the candidateโs experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other material8.ย ย ย ย ย Annexes to the TOR
Links to any relevant (non-confidential) materials that may help candidates gain a better understanding of the office/unit/project context. Organigram of the office/unit/project indicating the position of the function (for internal use only). ย Disclaimerย Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)ย
ย Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.ย
ย UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
ย Applicant information about UNDP rosters
ย 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.
ย Non-discrimination
ย UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.ย ย
ย UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.ย
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