Energy Planning Intern, Multiple positions

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 Integrated Energy Access Planning Programme.

The Integrated Energy Access Planning Programme provides technical assistance to governments to develop their Integrated Energy Access Plans (IEPs) as a way of helping high energy access-deficit countries gain a more integrated and data-driven understanding of the technologies and spending required to achieve universal energy access. IEPs can generate strategic insights into the optimal ways to expand access to not just electricity but also clean cooking, enhanced agricultural and medical cold-chains. This is for ensuring an integrated and holistic approach for achieving energy access targets. Besides this, through its Centre of Excellence, the programme also seeds the sector with resources and innovations, e.g., better data and tools, training, global advocacy for the widespread adoption of IEPs while working with governments to showcase, implement and learn from best-in-class IEPs energy.

The Assignment’s specific objectives will be set taking into account the skills, expertise and personal interests of the selected internship candidate.

• Work closely with the IEP Program Manager and other team members for the purpose of providing program and project support to the IEP program;
• Support the Centre of Excellence in the creation of standards, tools, documentation, and guidance that support the development and/or adoption of best-in-class IEPs;
• Support with desktop research on new tools, datasets, and methodologies and landscape analysis for new geographies of interest;
• Secondary data collection and analysis;
• Support stakeholder engagement and outreach, including government agencies and ministries, international development organizations, donors, research institutions, and the private sector;
• Support in the development, optimization, and standardization of internal procedures;

• Applicants should have recently (in the last 3 years) graduated with a first level or advanced university degree (Bachelors, Masters or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Sustainable Energy Engineering, Economics, Regional Planning, Geography, Geo-informatics, Energy Policy

• Applicants are not required to have prior work experience, however prior experience in GIS-based energy modeling and planning is desirable;
• Understanding of the energy access sector, including access to electricity and clean cooking is desirable;
• Experience in Python programming, data analysis and GIS is an asset.

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

• 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.