Programme Management Senior Officer (Energy Transition Partnership)

East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across  North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries in South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia,  EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Lao PDR, EAPMCO Philippines and EAPMCO Cambodia.

In 2022, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 95.7 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.  

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) brings together governments and philanthropies to work with partner countries in the region. We support the transition towards modern energy systems that can simultaneously ensure economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability. Enabling the transition toward greener energy systems will greatly contribute to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement objectives.

ETP is initially focusing on Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, which are the countries in the region with the highest energy demand, a substantial pipeline for fossil fuel-based projects, and a significant and cost-effective potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency. ETP provides High Level Technical Advisory Support, Holistic Support to Governments on financing  and technical needs, capacity and skill development and facilitation of dialogues in all related areas.

A Secretariat, incorporated into UNOPS will support the Steering Committee (SC) and facilitate the implementation of SC’s decisions. The Secretariat will operate as per defined Terms of Reference approved by the SC. The Secretariat will undertake day-to-day management and operation of the ETP Fund: (1) it launches Calls for Proposal and carries out proposals assessments; (2) it provides assistance and support to implementing partners; (3) facilitates the design, development and implementation of an overall M&E strategy; (4) monitors progress made by each project during the implementation phase.

​​​​​​ETP Secretariat hosted at UNOPS Thailand Hub Offices will support the SC and facilitate the implementation of SC’s decisions. The Secretariat will operate as per defined Terms of Reference approved by the SC. ETP Secretariat will undertake day-to-day management and operation of the ETP Fund: (1) it launches Calls for Proposal and carries out proposals assessments; (2) it provides assistance and support to projects; (3) facilitates the design, development and implementation of an overall M&E strategy; (4) monitors progress made by each project during the implementation phase.

ETP Secretariat will work in close cooperation with the SC, the Advisory Panel and UNOPS Services. The members of the secretariat will be selected following the UNOPS rules and regulations. Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties which are performed according to organizational needs and structure:

Reporting to the Senior Programme Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for effective, transparent and efficient coordination of the Fund’s programs in concert with the ETP Secretariat in its countries of operation, under the Rules and Regulations of UNOPS, and in accordance with the strategy approved by the ETP Steering Committee.

The Programme Management Senior Officer‘s responsibilities include the following:

Programme Implementation

A. The Programme Management Senior Officer will provide effective technical, financial, and operational coordination of ETP’s programs in one of the countries of operation (the Philippines) in collaboration with the country authorities and stakeholders and donor patterns active in energy transition, to ensure timely and partner-oriented services delivery and support issue resolution arising from the implementation processes. 

B. The Programme Management Senior Officer will provide effective support to building and maintaining of relationships with the country stakeholders in the public and private sectors as well as with civil society and fostering of partnerships and collaboration with the development partners, and actors active in the energy transition domain; and analysis of political and economic developments in the country, and provision of guidance and suggestions regarding program directions, challenges and opportunities. 

C. The Programme Management Senior Officer will facilitate mobilization and leveraging financial and other resources as well as participation in programmatic and resource mobilization activities of ETP to sustain and scale up its initiatives.

D. The Programme Management Senior Officer will facilitate and support knowledge management, sharing and exchanging of knowledge on lessons learnt and best practices of ETP’s programme and projects, identifying knowledge sharing and profiling opportunities for ETP and its programs, and assisting in delivery of knowledge events, and identifying communication, profiling and media coverage opportunities for ETP. 

Coordination Functions

• In coordination with the ETP Secretariat, provide guidance and suggestions for ETP’s program and its activities and objectives, challenges and opportunities based on local knowledge and developments;

• Promote and maintain effective teamwork within the ETP’s team and other UNOPS colleagues;

• Support implementation of ETP’s annual work plan, striving toward the set delivery and resource mobilization targets; 

• Support drafting of ETP’s annual administrative and operational program and budget proposals and reports;

• Support programmatic and administrative reporting on the ETP’s activities in accordance with its monitoring and reporting requirements under its Results-based Management Framework and UNOPS reporting requirements. 

• Support setting annual performance targets and objectives for the ETP team, assessing performance and providing feedback;

Programme/Portfolio Development and Management

• Regularly report on national energy transition concerns and priorities and the political and socio-economic conditions and developments as they relate to the ETP, and analyze their impact on ETP’s work and programme. 

• Support formulation and implementation of the ETP’s country work plan and its periodic review and updates and ensure alignment with ETP’s regional work plan;

• Under the supervision of the ETP Secretariat, support implementation of ETP’s grant allocations, maintenance of financial integrity of the programme by ensuring adherence to ETP’s Standard Operating Procedures and UNOPS rules and regulations, and ensuring timely and effective use of ETP resources;

• Support quality control measures in the implementation of a portfolio of project activities and concepts, and monitor the programme implementation progress and results;

• Support organization of periodic stakeholder workshops and project development sessions among partners in energy transition, private sector and civil society organizations (CSOs) and local communities, and potential applicants and other stakeholders to inform about ETP and its initiatives;

• Coordinate planning for project grants;

• Support oversight of ongoing ETP grant projects, and arrange for periodic project monitoring field visits and provide technical and operational support and guidance to ETP grantees, as required;

• Keep the ETP Secretariat informed on emerging risks and issues in a timely manner.

• Identify and foster programme, project, and policy linkages and coordination between ETP’s program and aligned programs under ETP, and broader programs in the energy sector funded by development partners, planned or underway in the country, and those of other government, donors and development partners. 

• Report periodically to ETP, in particular the Fund Director and Program Manager on programme implementation status, including support annual monitoring reporting, financial reporting, audit, and support updating the relevant UNOPS and ETP databases;

• Support monitoring and evaluation of ETP’s programs and projects, in coordination with ETP Team;

• Perform and coordinate administrative tasks (i.e. procurement, travel) adhering to ETP’s operational manual and UNOPS’ guidelines on procurement rules and regulation; as required for programme implementation;

Resource Mobilization and Partnerships 

• Establish and maintain close working relationships with stakeholders as well as facilitate  visibility of the ETP. 

• Analyze interest and priorities of key donors and other development partners, and develop/update and implement the resource mobilization and partnership strategy to mobilize resources from and develop partnerships with the government, donors and other partners to best leverage ETP resources and develop programme level partnerships.

• Liaise with the ETP Secretariat on emerging opportunities, due diligence processes and funding negotiations 

• Support ETP with its resource mobilization activities, including securing co-financing, as required, and project level partnerships, and assist in identifying opportunities and resources for sustaining and scaling up projects

Knowledge Management

• Document programme/project stories, lessons learned, and best practices in ETP programme/project development, implementation, and oversight;

• Identify country, regional and global knowledge relevant to ETP, and develop and distill best practices and facilitate dissemination and incorporation within ETP’s programs and to counterparts and partners;

• Support capacity building and networking of grantees, beneficiaries, and stakeholders to facilitate knowledge exchange, and promote uptake through knowledge platforms, knowledge fairs etc

A. Education

• Advanced university degree in Economics, Engineering, Environmental Economics, Development, Finance, Business Administration or similar field. 

• A Bachelor’s degree with an additional two (2) years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the postgraduate university degree.

B. Experience

• Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience in the energy sector, energy transition, climate issues, environment and development work, which should include programme management, preferably with an extended specialized experience in any of the thematic area of energy transition at the national level.

• Proficiency in standard computer software (word-processing, excel, presentations, databases, and internet) or Google Suite

C. Language

• Fluency in English is required

• Local language in the countries of ETP’s operation is an advantage. 

• Knowledge of other UN languages is considered an asset.

• Contract type: Local ICA
• Contract level: ICS 9 / LICA 9
• Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, 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. 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.