Programme Manager – Sustainable Energy

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The United Nations Development Programme (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). UNDP’s 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.

As per UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2022-2025, UNDP aims to catalyze unprecedented action and partnerships to provide access to sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy to 500 more million people by 2025 and accelerate the transition to renewable energy through systemic changes that lead to inclusive green economies. In 2022, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security launched a collaborative initiative on youth-led climate action and climate finance through the Youth4Climate and Energy Partnership programs. The UNDP Rome Centre serves as the operational hub for these initiatives, further strengthening the strategic partnership between UNDP and the Italian Ministry. The Energy Partnership aims to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by unlocking finance to accelerate the widespread adoption of off-grid energy solutions and other sustainable energy options. The goal is to identify investment opportunities at the country level in an initial group of eight African countries (Algeria, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Zambia, Eswatini, and Comoros) to reduce the current energy access gap and accelerate energy transition. To ensure a just transition, UNDP will work to mitigate the impact on vulnerable populations and ensure that change is understood and addressed.

The Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition requires the support of a Programme Manager who will play a critical role in advancing the UNDP mission in the Rwanda through the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership. The Programme Manager hired under this call is expected to contribute to the work of the UNDP Rome Centre for the implementation of the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership in close collaboration with UNDP Rwanda. He / She will support to identify regional / country activities that can boost energy transition and contribute to the UNDP energy targets in the region.

Rwanda’s energy transition has achieved remarkable progress, elevating household access to electricity from just 6% in 2009 to 75% by March 2024. The nation has successfully connected all health centres and administrative facilities at the sector level, along with 84% of schools and numerous micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. This electrification drive was among the fastest globally from 2010 to 2020, ranking 11th worldwide and 3rd in Africa. However, challenges persist in enhancing access, affordability, sustainability, and long-term energy security. Key issues include energy generation losses in on-grid systems, climate change impacts, and logistical difficulties in connecting remaining households while reducing reliance on environmentally detrimental firewood and charcoal. As urbanization accelerates and economic activities transition from agriculture to manufacturing and a knowledge-based economy, the national grid will face increased pressure. To meet the growing energy demands, Rwanda must develop and scale innovative off-grid solutions that reduce electricity costs and offer cooking alternatives, particularly for rural communities. These solutions should involve technological advancements and financial strategies, including affordable financing for energy projects and enhancements to the regulatory and policy landscape to foster diverse investments from both the public and private sectors in sustainable energy infrastructure.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Programme Manager, based in Rwanda will serve as a focal point of the UNDP Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership for the Rwanda for contributing substantive advice and technical expertise, advocacy, relationship building and knowledge to the thematic area of energy transition and climate. S/he will support to identify regional/country activities that can boost energy transition and advance regional and national climate targets in line with UNDP-related moonshots and pledges.  The Programme Manager will enhance UNDP Rwanda country offices capacity in the energy and climate space, contributing with expertise and technical knowledge particularly in the areas provided below:

Ensure Policy Research and Development:

• Guide in coordinate and conduct analysis of data, case evidence and research findings to disseminate relevant lessons from projects and programmes to inform policy formulation and guidance;
• Guide and support the quality assurance of policy services and foster policy innovation in the specific thematic area by reviewing lessons learned and evaluations to enhance programme delivery;
• Ensure the timely publication and dissemination of the reports identified as project outputs.

Ensure Policy Advice and Programme Support Delivery:

• Prepare assessments to identify country-level action investment opportunities in the field of energy access and transition;
• Identify investment opportunities for bankable projects in sustainable energy solutions, focusing on the most vulnerable communities that are farthest behind;
• Advise and support the preparation of country specific investment plans for scaling sustainable energy access and other effective clean and sustainable solutions by using innovative development financial mechanisms and instruments and new business energy delivery models;
• Support the design and preparation of project proposals for different sources of funding and boost and establish links with related national and regional projects on energy access and transition, and other international programs;
• Work closely with the UNDP Country Office Team and external stakeholders to support the preparation and submission of applications to the Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance (PISTA) for technical assistance intervention support for all relevant projects in the areas of clean energy and other relevant sectors;
• Advise and support the PISTA team with activities in relation to the implementation of the intervention support provided to selected projects in Rwanda including monitoring, impact documentation, etc.;
• Adopt a human-centered approach (e.g., supporting integrated energy programming that connects with other areas such as poverty and gender equality). Finally, the PM will be asked to build on the work undertaken under the Climate Aggregation Platform in Rwanda (e.g., the CAP Market Assessment & Action Plan, the CAP Financial Innovation Challenge, concept notes and other outputs);
• Support in strengthening UN work on the ground to support scaled-up energy access and transition programming at the country level.

Build Strategic Partnerships, Resource Mobilization and Strategic Planning:

• Contribute to the preparation of project proposals for submission to financiers to secure funding for clean energy development;
• Guide and support country programming that links and strengthens existing efforts on long term energy planning (e.g., as stated in Nationally Determined Contributions, as well as flagship initiatives such as the Africa Mini-grid Programme, Energy for Sahel, and Solar for Health, and others;
• Work closely with the Sustainable Energy Hub (Global Team) on other related requests and needs that link country, regional and global programming efforts on energy access and transition. and contribute to the strategic development of the expertise in the Energy sector of UNDP;
• Work with key partners in government, civil society, and the private sector, to scale up the delivery and reach of UNDP;
• Look at investment and action opportunities in neighboring countries to develop synergies solutions at regional level.

Facilitate Knowledge Management:

• Prepare technical advisory work, policy and communication materials related to the activities of the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership and in relations with the strategic partnership of UNDP with key actors managed by the Rome Centre;
• To identify concrete opportunities to build on and expand the CAP’s offer in Rwanda as part of its sustainability and exit strategy. In doing so, to help build the UNDP Rwanda Country Office’s offer on Energy and Climate finance; and provide inputs for the development of a Rwanda investment plan for scaling up RE access and other effective clean sustainable solutions in the context of the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership;
• Facilitate in coordinate and perform knowledge extraction, analysis, documentation, codification of results/lessons learned in the specific thematic area to help ensure internal synergies and inform the broader policy work of BPPS.

Required Skills and Experience  

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Energy, Sustainable Development, Environmental Science, and Natural Resources; investment and Economic Development, Project Management, Development Studies 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:

Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience with developing countries in one or more of the following areas: 

• Renewable energy,
• Energy efficiency,
• Energy transition,
• Sustainable transport,
• Energy access, Climate change/Natural resources.
• Experience in developing a pipeline of bankable projects, energy investment facilities, and resource mobilization for clean energy investments is required;
• Experience in project/program management, proposal design and development, stakeholders’ coordination, partnerships, and implementation of projects is required;
• Proven track record of substantive understanding of energy policies, regulations, and incentives at local and national levels, notably in Rwanda is required.

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 is an advantage;
• 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 is an asset;
• Experience in developing energy investment facilities, resource mobilization and risk management for clean energy investments within UNDP or other international organization is an advantage;
• Experience in fostering partnerships between public and private entities to leverage resources and finance energy projects is an asset;
• Experience with development policy financing for clean energy projects is an advantage;
• Experience in active engagement with multiple public and private stakeholders in Rwanda in the energy sector is desired;
• Experience at a professional level in a large international or governmental organization, prior experience working with UN system agencies is a strong asset;
• Experience with policy research and publications on topics such as sustainable development, green transition, climate, environment, and sustainable energy is a strong asset;
• Experience with donor-funded development projects/programs is an asset;
• Proven ability to negotiate terms and conditions of financing agreements, contracts, and partnerships with stakeholders is desirable;
• Technical/advisory experience in the UN System related to climate change and energy desirable;
• Experience in building relevant relationship and network in the field of SDG7 in Rwanda is desired;
• Direct experience in energy finance is an asset.

Language Requirement

• Fluency in English is required, with exceptional writing, presentation, and communication skills;
• Knowledge of another official UN languages, particularly French and/or Arabic is an asset.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/21917