Partnerships Advisor (Geothermal Energy) (Retainer)

UNOPS South East Asia 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 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: SEMCO 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. 

UNOPS in Indonesia

UNOPS established its operations in Indonesia in 2005 in response to the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004. Since then, UNOPS Indonesia has delivered more than $200 million in projects, focusing on infrastructure, fund management, and capacity building related to environmental protection, strengthening health systems and improving post-disaster management and recovery.  Other UNOPS activities in Indonesia are related to strengthening economic resilience post-COVID-19, promotion of sustainable energy solutions, transactional services to other UN agencies and procurement of medical items. UNOPS projects in Indonesia  contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, SDG 13 on climate action, SDG 15 on protecting life on land, SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy and SDG 3 on good health and well-being. 

Position Summary

UNOPS supports the Government of Indonesia in the area of low carbon development and energy transition. Geothermal Energy (GE) is an increasingly significant source of renewable energy, and Indonesia has the third largest installed generating capacity in the world in the geothermal sector. In recent years, the Indonesian Government has announced plans for two 'fast-track' increases in the total capacity of Indonesia's electricity generation network of 10,000 MW each. Under the second 10,000 MW fast-track plan it was forecast that a relatively large share of 3,970 MW would be installed in geothermal plants. But under the first 10,000 MW fast-track plan, investment in the geothermal sector appears to be lagging. According to Indonesia’s energy blueprint, increased contribution from geothermal energy will enable meeting Indonesia’s climate change commitments, renewable energy targets and ensure sustainable economic development. UNOPS is looking for opportunities to keep supporting the Government of Indonesia in the area of energy transition and is seeking a Technical Advisor to support the development of a targeted program. Reporting to the Head of Partnerships of the EAPMCO, the incumbent will provide expert support,technical advice and innovation practices for the development of UNOPS geothermal energy programme portfolio in Indonesia. 

Under the supervision of the Head of Partnerships, the Partnerships Advisor will lead and coordinate GE-focused business development and partnerships activities. The Partnerships Advisor will support UNOPS EAPMCO in providing expert advice on the development and implementation of UNOPS programmes, strategic partnerships, stakeholder coordination and engagement, as well as capacity building, knowledge management and sharing in the sector of geothermal energy. Specific duties and responsibilities include the following: 

GE sector analysis:

• Lead and coordinate the formulation of EAPMCO geothermal energy programme portfolio in Indonesia

• Lead the operationalization of business development plans and opportunity identification for potential new programmatic activities in the geothermal energy sector 

• Initiate new approaches, techniques, standards, policies and guidelines in the field of GE, including contributions to the Indonesia’s GE sector policy, regulation and planning

• Lead the UNOPS engagement with key GE sector stakeholders, including the government, bilateral and multilateral partners, private entities and NGOs

• Actively promote engagement, knowledge sharing and mutually beneficial cooperation between the Indonesian and international GE sectors

• Introduce the programme team to leading GE expertise in Indonesia, including academic institutions, private sector, State Owned enterprises, as well as Gender, Social Inclusion, Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning on the GE sector

• Advise on possible approaches to support the key GE stakeholders in Indonesia, including but not limited to Badan Geologi, INAGA, GE division of EBTKE and Geo Dipta Energy

• Provide expert opinion on the issues surrounding the GE Industry, particularly referencing any examples of social conflict, mismanagement or technical failures that resulted in injury or damage in Indonesia

• Review publicly available information and provide summaries of the strengths and weaknesses, lessons learned and recommendations from the GE projects

Technical Advisory Support:

• Lead EAPMCO’s project development activities from project identification through to project award,  and lead the preparation of UNOPS proposals for geothermal energy projects

• Actively promote social inclusion in the GE sector and incorporate gender mainstreaming in all programme  activities

• Coordinate and lead capacity building events, workshops, and trainings in close collaboration with local and international partners of the GE or related projects

Strategic engagement:

• Engage with geothermal developers and plant owners on best practice ESG, through information memorandums, workshops and site visits

• Make presentations to expert groups and government ministries to position UNOPS in the area of energy transition and GE, leveraging on UNOPS ongoing programs in this area in Indonesia 

• Represent UNOPS at key international, regional and national meetings and events related to the GE sector

Knowledge management:

• Collect, analyse and keep abreast of humanitarian and development trends and needs in Indonesia in the GE sector to identify areas of collaboration within UNOPS’ mandate.

• Contribute to the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximize performance and sustain achievements in project development.

• Analyse markets for business development intelligence and opportunities (facilitate assessments of partner needs, UNOPS comparative advantages, and partner survey analysis, among others).

Expected Period of Assignment 

The Partnerships Advisor shall perform services on a time based basis with inputs provided on a needs basis as agreed with the Head of Partnerships. The duration for the Advisor’s services is up to six months (100 days).

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree)  in Civil, Mechanical, Environmental, Chemical, Alternative Energy, Electrical Engineering or related field is required.

• First level University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) with two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• At least seven (7) years of experience in geothermal energy project development or related field is required.

• Within relevant experience at least two (2) years’ experience in an advisory role is required. 

• Effective relationship management skills and experience coordinating work between different sectors and stakeholders, particularly with government networks is required.

• Excellent programme and project management skills and experience with driving interrelated projects through the complete project lifecycle including management of schedules, budgets, and risks is required.

• Quality assurance and performance management skills, including through managing large multi-disciplinary teams and sub-contractors is required.

• Ability to originate new approaches, techniques, standards, policies, guidelines and programmes in the field of GE is required.

• Experience in the international development sector is required.

• Good understanding of the GE sector policy and regulation in Indonesia is an asset.

• Knowledge and experience of key donor priorities in the area of GE is an asset.

• Experience in the consideration of the commercial, legal, political, cultural, social, and environmental issues and challenges related to the development of GE would be an advantage.

• Experience in South East Asia and/ or Indonesia GE or energy sector is a strong asset.

Languages

• Full Working knowledge of the English language is required.

1. Contract type: ICA
2. Contract level: ICS 11 / IICA 3 / LICA-11
3. Contract duration: 100 days retainer

• 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.