Principal Specialist, Energy

UNOPS hosts Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Secretariat/Programme in Vienna, Austria. Sustainable Energy for All (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 International Engagement team. The main objectives of the initiative is to support the UNRC in Indonesia to accelerate SDG7 deployment through government engagement, development partner coordination and facilitation of country-level activities for SDG7 objectives, including the ongoing project on last mile energy access implemented by SEforALL in Indonesia. 

Under the supervision of the Regional Director, Asia the Principal Specialist, Energy will support the strategic and operational planning, coordination, and implementation of SEforALL’s SDG7 activities in Indonesia in close collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator, Indonesia, and development partners. The role ensures effective stakeholder engagement, technical advisory support, and alignment between local initiatives and SEforALL’s global priorities, while also contributing to innovation, resource mobilization, and the scale-up of energy access solutions.

Summary of Key Functions  

Operational and Strategic Planning  

• Support SEforALL in the development and implementation of objectives, planning processes, organizational priorities, initiatives, as well as operational KPIs for the UNRC and country-level SDG7 activities in Indonesia. 

• Coordinate with development partners delivering SDG7 initiatives to effectively utilize resources and manage priorities in order to be both responsive and proactive to meet the expectations of internal and external stakeholders. 

• Facilitate coordination between local project team and SEforALL HQ staff to ensure timely deliverables of on-going projects in Indonesia, quality of its outputs and services as well as identification and initiation of actions for improvement and innovation.  

• Contribute to the innovation and institutionalization of new initiatives in Indonesia by SEforALL in partnership with UNRC. 

Technical Advisory 

• Support SEforALL Energy Access and Mini Grids Partnership team in ongoing business model development, stakeholder engagement for last mile energy access project.  

• Coordinate stakeholder engagement activities in Indonesia for SDG7 implementation, including ongoing SEforALL regional projects. 

• Identify key public sector partners and stakeholders for SEforALL engagement and partnership, establishing focal points across various relevant authorities (e.g., energy, finance, infrastructure, etc.).

• Contribute to SEforALL efforts in the scale up of programmes for identifying and working with partners across financial institutions, and relevant organizations in developing frameworks and solutions across the continent.  

•  Actively participate and represent SEforALL at the senior level across several sector stakeholder platforms, in industry-events and knowledge sharing activities.

• Undertake and support fundraising activities for the programme, as needed.  

• An Advanced Degree (Master's or equivalent) in energy, environmental science, business management, policy, economics, engineering, or a closely related field is required. A First Level University (Bachelor's) degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in project management in the field of renewable clean energy or climate is required. 

• Relevant work experience in emerging markets/developing countries is required. 

• Experience in government advisory and engagement with senior government officials is desirable.  

• Experience in stakeholder engagement and donor management within the energy sector is an asset 

• Experience with knowledge management, learning and innovations in access to energy as well as energy transition is an asset.

Language

• Fluency in English is required.

• Working knowledge of another, official UN language is an asset. 

1. Contract type: International Individual Contract
2. Contract level: ICS 10 /IICA 2
3. Contract duration: One year with possibility to extend subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• 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.