Background
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 high and sustained growth of urban population in Turkmenistan creates new and growing challenges in terms of environmental impacts. The sources of these impacts are varied – increasing use of motor vehicles, expansion of public lighting, consumption of resources in new residential areas and tourist zones, including increased ambient temperatures due to the “urban heat island” effect. In addition, the consequences themselves range from local pollution and traffic jams to depletion of scarce national water resources, as well as increased greenhouse gas emissions and their negative contribution to global climate change. There is sufficient potential for the implementation of sustainable urban development in Turkmenistan, however, there are institutional and economic barriers that promote growth and consumption without paying attention and taking into account the principles of sustainable development, as well as an insufficient level of technical know-how and best practices in the field of sustainable urban development and modern solutions.
The ongoing UNDP/GEF full-scale project aims to address these barriers through a comprehensive programme of activities in two of Turkmenistan’s most visible, dynamic cities, Ashgabat and Avaza, thereby unlocking technical capacity and achieving significant greenhouse gas emission reductions and other environmental benefits.
The objective of the project is to promote and implement integrated low-carbon urban systems in Ashgabat and Avaza to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate other environmental, social and economic development benefits.
The project consists of three components, each comprising several activities and outputs.
Component 1 aims to reduce the environmental impacts associated with public spaces and infrastructure in Ashgabat. Activities under this component will seek to increase the energy efficiency of street lighting and transport through planning, technical measures and investments. The component also includes activities to quantify and mitigate the urban heat island effect in Ashgabat.
Component 2 aims to institutionalize sustainability in the developing tourism sector in Awaza. The component’s activities will support the development and implementation of a “green building design” in one of the new hotels. “Green practices” will also be introduced to existing hotels in terms of operational performance. Finally, as in Ashgabat, the project will implement activities to improve the efficiency of lighting and transport, addressing the specific economic trends and characteristics of Awaza.
Component 3 will support the scaling up of the results achieved in the first two project components, through monitoring, documentation, knowledge sharing and the development of national strategies. This component will include efforts to adopt national fuel efficiency standards for imported vehicles and to implement related government policies and regulations.
To achieve these goals and results, UNDP and national partners in Turkmenistan have identified targeted interventions and activities under three components – the first component focuses on Ashgabat, the second component focuses on Avaza, and the third component seeks to disseminate lessons learned through policy and regulation at the national and municipal levels throughout Turkmenistan.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direction and supervision of the Project Manager, Project Specialist/ Awaza Sustainable Development and Innovation is responsible for the following functions:
- Control of conducting the energy surveys and monitoring in the 8 pilot hotels in Avaza.
- Preparation of an Assessment report on energy audit in pilot hotels in Avaza.
- Assistance in finalizing the developed draft of the “Green” standard for the hotel sector of Turkmenistan.
- Assistance in further promotion and adoption of the draft of the “Green” standard for the hotel sector of Turkmenistan.
- Assistance in monitoring energy-saving measures in pilot hotels in Avaza.
- Coordination of work on the group of National consultants for the preparation of manuals on “Separate collection of wastewaters in the hotel sector of Turkmenistan and its use for irrigation of green spaces (industrial crops)”; “Methodological recommendations for the hotel sector of Turkmenistan in terms of reducing energy costs”
- Organizing the public awareness to promote the use of “green practices” in hotels in the Avaza.
- Regularly monitoring of energy and water consumption in pilot hotels with measuring devices and preparing reports.
- Holding a seminar on the results of monitoring energy-saving measures in pilot hotels in Avaza.
- Conducting a training on an energy survey and preparation of reports in the pilot hotels.
Competencies
| Competencies Core | |
| Achieve Results: | LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work |
| Think Innovatively: | LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking |
| Learn Continuously: | LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning |
| Adapt with Agility: | LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process |
| Act with Determination: | LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously |
| Engage and Partner: | LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships |
| Enable Diversity and Inclusion: | LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making |
| Cross-Functional & Technical competencies | Thematic Area | Name | Definition | | Business management | Risk Management | Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks | | Business direction and strategy | System Thinking · | Ability to use 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 | | Business direction and strategy | Effective Decision Making | Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources. | | Business management | Partnerships Management | 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 | | Policy Programme | Sustainable Energy Hub | Energy: Energy Efficiency | | Policy and Programme | Sustainable Energy Hub | Sustainable Energy | | Policy and Programme | Nature | Water Governance: Water governance for sustainable solutions | | Business Development | Knowledge Generation | Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. | | |
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Power engineering, Heat engineering, Civil engineering, Architecture or any other related field.
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing / advisory services, and/or hands-on experience in the field of energy efficiency and energy saving in residential and public buildings.
- Experience in collecting and analyzing energy consumption, water, gas, heat and waste generation in residential and public buildings;
- Experience with the operating principles of tools (thermal imager, digital thermometers, data storage devices, portable flow meters and others) for conducting energy audits;
- Experience in obtaining data from electronic meters (electricity meters, water meters, gas meters and heat meters);
- Experience in organizing trainings and teaching in the field of energy saving, design, construction, implementation of standards and SNT of Turkmenistan;
- Experience in developing training materials taking into account energy efficiency for secondary and higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan;
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), experience in handling of web-based management systems and special programs for measuring instruments;
Languages:
- Fluency in Russian, and Turkmen;
- knowledge of English is an asset.
Disclaimer
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.
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.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP 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.
Non-discrimination
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.
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.
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