Technical Specialist, Data & Modelling Systems (Home Based Retainer)

UNOPS hosts Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Secretariat/Programme in Vienna, Austria. SEforALL is an independent organization with a global mandate to accelerate progress on the energy transition in emerging and developing countries. We work at the intersection of energy, climate, and development. We collaborate with governments and partners worldwide to end energy poverty, accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions, and combat climate change.

Our vision is a world where everyone, everywhere, can lead a dignified life on a healthy planet, powered by sustainable energy. We promote this vision by pushing for higher ambitions, stronger policies, greater finance flows, increased localization and green jobs, and faster results toward an energy transition that leaves no one behind. 

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Since then, our CEO has served as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy.

This position is located within the Energy Transition Department of SEforALL with the Energy Transition & Investment Planning Unit. The objective of the Energy Transition & Investment Planning is to support global progress on SDG-7 and SDG-13, particularly in developing and emerging economies. The Unit supports developing countries to develop their comprehensive Energy Transition and Investment Plan that takes a whole-of-economy approach, covering key sectors such as power, transport, industry, buildings, and agriculture.

The plan investigates multiple scenarios to assess the overall least-cost pathway for different energy supply options to meet the country's future energy demand while aligning with its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and other relevant national development and energy strategies, such as clean cooking, cooling etc. while also identifying opportunities for the country towards green growth with localization of the renewable energy supply chains and manufacturing. By taking a holistic view of the energy sector and discussing robustly with all the stakeholders involved, the unit supports developing countries to lay out a policy framework to ensure a coordinated and efficient approach for a just and equitable energy transition. The plan also outlines the investment opportunities for clean energy technologies and identifies early movers through Investor dialogues and engagements: as part of the comprehensive stakeholder engagement provide support to engage multilateral, bilateral, international financial institutions and private sectors.

Summary of Key Functions  

The Technical Specialist, Data & Modelling Systems under the supervision of the Head, Energy Transition Planning & Energy Efficiency, will be responsible for developing a data visualization and online modelling platform for SEforALL Energy Systems Model (SEM) – an in-house energy transition planning based OSeMOSYS (implemented in python language). The role will also be expected to support the unit on power system and network analysis using PyPSA (Python for Power System Analysis). The Technical Specialist would be expected to support the unit on energy transition planning projects globally on aspects related to technical coordination with clients, policy analysis, drafting of reports and delivery of capacity building workshops. 

The Consultant's overall responsibilities include:

• Develop SEM online data visualization and online modelling platforms and support the integration of various economic, energy and climate modelling systems to the platform.

• Establish internal and external data collection and warehousing protocols and templates. 

• Function as a technical expert of power system and network analysis and establish the use of PyPSA within the energy transition planning unit.

• Support and advise on energy and climate modelling exercises and related tasks for developing energy transition and investment planning or decarbonization pathways.

• Undertake energy transition related research, data collection and country diagnostics (policy, institutional and technology). 

• Undertake policy analysis related to energy transition pathways/plans. 

• Support the drafting and related tasks for developing energy transition pathways or plans.

• Support the project lead to coordinate and liaise with project stakeholders, partners and consultants at global and country level for identified projects.

• Collaborate with the unit on capacity building and training workshop for identified global and country projects.

1. Deliverable 1: Establish the SEM online data visualization and online modelling platform
   
   
2. Deliverable 2: Establish the use of PyPSA in energy transition & investment planning unit
   
   
3. Deliverable 3: Monthly technical support to projects of energy transition & investment planning unit

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in engineering, economics, mathematics, energy, environment, statistics or a related field.

• A First Level University Degree (Bachelor degree of equivalent) in engineering, economics, mathematics, energy, environment, statistics or a related field with an additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master's degree.  

b. Work Experience 

• A Minimum of five (5) years of hands-on experience of developing python language-based energy system models, in particular PyPSA/OSeMOSYS or similar is required.
• Demonstrated experience of developing energy transition pathways or power systems models, particularly in developing countries is required.
  
  
• Experience in energy modelling systems and interlinking of economic and climate models and having a good knowledge of various tools available is desirable.
  
  
• Experience in developing data visualization and an online platform for energy system models is desirable.
  
  
• Solid skills of Python, R or other programming languages to modify or update energy model script, demonstrated examples of such skill would be considered as an advantage.
  
  
• Advanced knowledge of energy transition and net-zero concepts relating to policies, strategies, technologies and awareness of the major global players and initiatives is an asset.
  
  
• Excellent knowledge of modelling power sector decarbonization pathways, and knowledge of other sectors such as industries, transport, building and agriculture decarbonization modeling experience would be considered as an asset.

c. Language Requirements 

• Fluency in English and French is required. 

Contract type: International Individual Contract (IICA)
Contract level: ICS 10 /IICA 2
Contract duration: 12 months, max 204 days, with possibility of extension depending on programme need, performance and on availability of funds.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete)  in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.