Senior Energy Expert (Retainer)

To analyse the energy sector in Ukraine and one more country to be selected at a later date depending on availability of funding, at the strategic level and from an infrastructure systems perspective. A key objective of the study is to identify areas in both the supply and demand side of the energy sector which may represent opportunities for UNOPS ECR to further develop interventions to support the Governments in addressing the issues.  

The expert will work closely with the Regional Infrastructure and Project Management Advisor and the Senior Regional Partnership Advisor.

Outcomes of the analysis

A clearer understanding for the UNOPS RO, Multi-Country Office and Country Office staff of :

1. The country context and issues affecting the energy sector, including the UN’s role and support to the Government in the energy sector.

2. The key drivers and issues affecting the energy infrastructure system in the country.

The ultimate outcome of the exercise will provide the UNOPS country team with information and evidence on the energy sector focused on infrastructure needs that will enable them to initiate discussions with the Government and Donors, on key issues and how these might be addressed with the support of UNOPS in the country.

Energy Sector Analysis

The expert will be required to undertake an analysis of the energy sector in the country covering two key dimensions:

• Country and UN Context of the Energy Sector - this will provide an overview of the Country and UN Context in respect of the energy sector in the country from a strategic perspective.

• Supply and Demand - This will look at the key issues impacting on supply and demand across the energy sector and specifically in which component/s of the energy infrastructure system they occur, nl. Assets, Knowledge, or Institution/s they relate to.

Country and UN Context of the Energy Sector Analysis

The analysis in specific countries will look at both the country context and the  UN’s engagement in the country via the Common Country Assessment (CCA) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). 

 At country level, the country context will be examined through an analysis of :

1. Any ‘visioning’ documents adopted and published by the Government vision

2. Any documents setting out the Country’s development strategy 

3. Any sector plans/strategies specifically related to the energy sector

4. Key stakeholders in the energy sector and how the Government manages the energy sector. Identify consultative platforms, including Non-Governmental Organisations, whereby key stakeholders in energy are consulted, both on national and regional levels.

5. The Country’s SDG commitments and specifically indicators and targets related to the energy sector (particularly SDG13, SDG7, SDG 11)

6. Donors/Funding sources and which projects they are funding either in the supply side or the demand side. (projects published on EU Access System,WB initiative on Scaling Up Energy Efficiency in Europe and Central Asia Program, etc. )

7. Energy projects in the pipeline / being implemented and a high-level assessment of the key issues impacting on the delivery of the projects (Global Gateway pipeline, etc.)

8. EU initiatives/instruments and funding programs in energy (e.g. Cohesion Fund, Connecting Europe Facility, European Regional Development Fund, Horizon Europe, InvestEU, LIFE, Just Transition Mechanism, EIB initiatives, Innovation Fund, European Local Energy Assistance (ELENA).

At the UN engagement level, the analysis will cover the: 

1. Common Country Assessment - overview of the UN CCA and any specific reference to the energy sector

2. Theory of Change - any references to the energy sector that may be included in the ToC

3. UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework  - any interventions included in the UNSDCF related to the energy sector and the relevant UN Agencies involved

4. UNOPS - Is UNOPS involved in any commitments related to the energy sector

5. Related Mission Hubs ToC and Position papers (TPC, Energy and Digitalization)

A key element of the study will be to identify the ‘line of sight’ between the Government's Strategic Development Documents, the SDG commitments, Donor/Funders interests, the CAA and commitments in the UNSDCF, to demonstrate the linkages to projects, either in the pipeline or already funded and being implemented.

Supply and Demand Analysis of the Energy Sector

The expert will be required to carry out a Supply and Demand analysis of the energy sector to assess the key drivers of supply and demand and the key issues impacting on supply and demand. The analysis will use the UNOPS infrastructure systems model (Fig 1 below) to identify which component/s of the energy infrastructure system are impacted by the drivers and issues.

Fig 1 : Infrastructure System

1. Assets - These are the physical assets that we can usually see and come into contact with on a daily basis

2. Institutions  - Key bodies (governmental and non-governmental) that provide the regulations, policies, financing,  legal frameworks, planning, creation, operation, maintenance and disposal of the infrastructure assets

3. Knowledge -  This is the knowledge in the enabling environment (institutions) which provides the information about the infrastructure system, including legal and regulatory frameworks.  It is essentially the knowledge within the system relevant to the planning, creation, operation and maintenance of the infrastructure system

Methodology

The study should be conducted using a combination of desk study and analysis by reviewing key documents, followed by consultations with key stakeholders in-country to verify the findings of the desk study. Interviews with key stakeholders will be conducted by the consultant accompanied by country representative/s.

Outputs

The output from the analysis will be a maximum 10-page report and a set of PowerPoint/Google slides setting out : 

• Key findings of the analysis on the Country and UN Context and the key drivers and issues relevant to the energy sector in the country, while also considering regional issues/potential interventions

• Key Stakeholders (including Government, private sector, NGOs, Donors/Funders. Required expertise and resources

• Recommendations on:  

  • Key areas on both the supply and demand side that could represent possible entry points for UNOPS to engage with the Government

  • Short, medium and long-term term interventions required to address the key issues identified

  • Key High Risks associated with each of the interventions

  • Recommendations for further analysis study required on specific interventions.

Level of effort

Desk study: 10 days, including preliminary findings,. 

In-country: 10 days followed by a discussion with relevant UNOPS personnel (RD, Relevant country reps, infrastructure and partnerships advisors) Followup may be required with other key stakeholders, depending on the analysis and the need for clarification or additional information.

Reporting and validation sessions: 10 days including a de-brief meeting and presentation with UNOPS RO.

Total: 30 days

• Advanced University Degree preferably in Engineering or Strategic Infrastructure Planning with a focus on energy. 

• University Degree (Bachelor’s degree / first level) with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in place of the advanced university degree.

• 7 years of experience in working for/with an EU institution and/or working for/with the beneficiary countries on energy-related elements at a strategic level is required.

• In-depth knowledge of the energy sector in the Europe and Central Asia region is required.

• Work experience in the Former Soviet Union is an advantage.

• Good knowledge of the UN system and country level projects/programmes is an advantage.

• Experience producing research papers, analysis and briefs for the UN and other international organizations is an advantage.

• Knowledge and experience of climate, law, business administration, economics with a focus on energy, competition, finance, or another relevant discipline is an advantage.

• Fluency in English (speaking, reading and writing) is required.

• Knowledge of locally spoken languages is an advantage.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

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

• This is a home-based contract. UNOPS reserves the right to offer the appropriate contract modality based on the policy for home-based contracts. 

• 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.