Consultant, Mission Efficiency India [locally recruited position]

Background about SEforALL

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization working with leaders in government, the private sector and civil society to drive further, faster action toward achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030, and the Paris Agreement, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate warming to well below 2° Celsius (and striving for 1.5° Celsius).  

Achieving these goals will require a radical rethink of the way we produce, distribute and consume energy. SEforALL is at the heart of this foundational shift to ensure no one is left behind. Drawing on data and evidence, we identify a critical path to success in achieving SDG7.  

The 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Now an independent organization, we maintain close links with the UN, including through a relationship agreement, partnerships with UN agencies and with SEforALL’s CEO acting as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative (SRSG) for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. These roles include advising the UN Secretary General and his staff on issues relating to sustainable energy and the implementation of SDG7 and supporting the coordination of sustainable energy issues in the United Nations system.  

The ambitions of SDG7 are extraordinary. Aiming to achieve them in the context of the Paris Agreement on climate change involves transformation at a scale never undertaken before. Swift action must be taken by leaders in governments, private sector companies, institutions, financiers, development banks, unions, communities, entrepreneurs and civil society. As we enter the final decade to achieve SDG7, SEforALL has strategically chosen to strengthen global agenda-setting while expanding its activities to an engagement model that prioritizes data-driven decision-making, partnerships with high-impact countries and implementation on the ground. SEforALL’s current three-year business plan outlines “results offers” that scope out our planned interventions and demonstrate to our funding partners the impact of their support.

Context and Objective of Assignment

The Energy Efficiency program of SEforALL is with the Energy Transition Department. One of the main objectives of the program is to promote “Mission Efficiency” and support global progress on energy efficiency with Mission Efficiency partners. SEforALL as a lead coordinator endeavors to elevate, support and invest in Energy Efficiency by pushing for greater commitments and strengthening the enabling environment and driving increased investment in energy efficiency infrastructure and projects. Another key objective of the program is to improve cohesion in the Energy Efficiency Ecosystem through Mission Efficiency as a global collective of actions, commitments and goals on energy efficiency by a coalition of governments, organizations and initiatives to drive actions to accelerate the transition towards energy efficient economies through in-country support.

In 2023, SEforALL supported the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, Government of India, in its role in the G20 India Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG), towards the shared objective of strengthening energy efficiency commitments within G20 ETWG outcomes. India’s leadership on energy efficiency resulted in a strong recognition of energy efficiency within the G20 framework. G20 Energy Ministers and Leaders agreed to focus on actions to meet the goal of doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030, and recognized the Voluntary Action Plan proposed by the Indian Presidency to achieve that goal. This was reflected in the outcomes of the G20 Energy Transition Ministers’ Meeting and in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, setting a milestone for G20 ETWG to further prioritize energy efficiency. In 2024-2025, after the successful elevation of energy efficiency in the global energy transition agenda, the focus would be to follow-up on national policy development and implementation that would put India on track to achieving at least doubling efficiency by 2030 and maintaining the momentum on global commitment to doubling energy efficiency in G20 and other internation fora.

Purpose/Objective of the Role

The main objective of India-based Consultant, Mission Efficiency India would be to support the program with technical expertise on developing energy efficiency action plans, large scale energy efficiency investment initiatives and utility demand side management programs for supporting the G20 Energy Efficiency agenda follow-up and on the national doubling energy efficiency activities in India.

Main Duties and Tasks of the Role

The main duties and tasks of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Provide technical support to the Mission Efficiency India program of work and advance the doubling energy efficiency goal for India.
• Support the SEforALL Energy Efficiency team (Vienna and India) to provide technical expertise on developing state energy efficiency action plans, designing and implementing utility scale demand side management programs and initiatives for scaling energy efficiency investments.
• Collaborate with national partners on the program and lead on the technical components of activities and ensure high quality of outputs based on latest knowledge, best practices and sound methodologies.
• Lead on developing high quality and impactful knowledge products, data analysis, technical advice, and support on energy efficiency program development and implementation in India.
• Support in engagements with country-based government stakeholders, particularly with Government of India (Bureau of energy efficiency/ministry of power), state energy nodal agencies, utilities to support the implementation of activities and objectives of the program.
• Support the development and improvement of SEforALL’s strategy and theory of change on energy efficiency in India.
• Support the organization of workshop/conference/events related to the program.
• Support monitoring, evaluation and learning for Mission Efficiency India work and facilitate knowledge sharing across SEforALL teams.
• Other tasks and duties depending on emerging priorities.

Specific Competencies for the Role

• Advanced university degree in Engineering, Economics or a related discipline related with energy sector.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in working on technical analysis and program development on energy efficiency, preferably in India.
• Sound understanding of energy efficiency technologies, finance, and policies and demonstrated technical experience on energy efficiency programs.
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: energy efficiency action plans, demand response/ demand flexibility, utility demand side management program, energy efficiency standards, codes and labels for appliances and buildings, SME/Industrial energy efficiency, e-mobility deployment eco-system/technologies, and ESCO projects.
• Experience in presenting technical information to audience with diverse background.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to multitask, attention to detail and a disposition towards diplomatic and action-oriented interactions.
• Able to handle tight deadlines and enjoys dynamic work requirement.
• Experience in supporting Government of India on energy efficiency policy and programs is an asset.
• Knowledge and networks with utilities, private sector, and government in India is an asset.
• Complete fluency in English with strong written and verbal communication skills are required, fluent verbal communication in Hindi is an asset.

Core Competencies

• Professionalism and Personal Leadership: Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity. Demonstrates corporate knowledge, self-development and initiative-taking. Ability to work in a multi-cultural and international environment based on mutual respect and tolerance. Demonstrates good judgment and discretion when handling sensitive materials. Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion and tact in handling sensitive issues.
• Analysis: Demonstrated excellent research and analytical skills that can be applied to generate knowledge products and support policy making.
• Planning and Organization: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments. Adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently and is able to work to deadlines and maintain effectiveness under pressure. Excellent organizational and task management skills, with appropriate attention to details and ability to prioritize work among multiple competing demands, and under tight deadlines. Ability to manage multiple workflows at the same time. Proactive approach to managing workflow, with keen ability to multi-task and respond quickly and flexibly to a wide range of issues, some of which come up in ad hoc and unexpected ways. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment where adaptability will be a premier and delivery expected.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills and proven document drafting ability; ability to interact with senior level UN staff, with ambassadors, high-level diplomats, and with senior government officials including Prime ministerial and Ministerial level as well as to develop contacts, foster collaboration with UN and with other stakeholders; deliver presentations, advocate for viewpoints and participate actively in internal as well as external debates and negotiations. Ability to craft messages and communiques, and copy edit work to produce effective written communications. Familiarity and appreciation of social media.
• Teamwork: Work with colleagues within SEforALL and with partners in government and organizations. Support colleagues, encourage others to participate in teamwork and share responsibility for decision-making and results. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Support and act in accordance with group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Share credit for team accomplishments and accept joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Demonstrated ability to work with teams representing a wide variety of staffing levels that also cut across agencies and partners, and work without direct authority to deliver timely and high-quality products. Strong team player capabilities.
• Personal: Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude. Demonstrates behavior of professional and personal ethics transparency and openness to encourage respect and similar behavior from colleagues in the workplace. Sensitivity to other people’s cultural and religious norms and the ability to easily blend with others. Proven ability to be discrete and maintain confidential information. Exhibits diplomacy, loyalty, and commitment to SEforALL’s goals. Sense of humor is an advantage.

Our Values – please refer to our core values as defined here: https://www.seforall.org/who-we-are/staff/our-values.

Salary information: The successful candidate will be offered an all-in daily rate determined depending on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, and applying the principle of internal equity. SEforALL will provide compensation to the selected candidate, with the payments being untaxed. It is the responsibility of the staff member to ensure that they meet any applicable national or local tax requirements.

Additional Considerations

• SEforALL offers exciting high-impact assignments, a collegial and creative work environment, and the opportunity for committed professionals to thrive and grow within flat hierarchies and in the pursuit of an inspiring mission.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only short-listed candidates for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
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