Energy Planning Officer

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 team. Through its new Integrated Energy Access Planning Programme, SEforALL seeks to accelerate the development and adoption of ‘best-in-class’ 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 medical cold-chains for vaccine distribution. To do this, SEforALL is establishing a Center of Excellence to set the standard for best-in-class IEPs, guiding universal energy access efforts across markets. The Centre of Excellence will seed the sector with resources and innovations, global advocacy for the widespread adoption of IEPs while working with governments to showcase, implement and learn from best-in-class IEPs.  

The main objectives of the Integrated Energy Access Planning team are: 

• To accelerate the adoption of ‘best-in-class’ integrated energy plans among high energy access-deficit countries; 

• Setting the Standard: Create practical tools and knowledge products that help ‘set the standard’ for best-in-class IEPs; 

• Filling the Gap: Commission IEPs in countries where IEPs may not exist or where they could be improved upon ; 

• Country-level Advisory Support: Provide tailored advisory support to countries that have developed or are developing an IEP to help them better utilize their IEPs and translate them into policies, finance and action; 

• Building Demand: Use high-level advocacy to secure political buy-in on integrated energy access planning and the role of distributed energy in meeting energy access goals. 

SEforALL is also spearheading a significant project in Zambia, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Zambia, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). The project aims to scale up Zambia’s mini-grid sector by establishing a comprehensive data baseline, validating the technical and financial feasibility of mini-grids, and activating the market for the rollout of the “1,000 communities” program. This initiative focuses on supporting the deployment of an initial 100 mini-grids as a proof of concept to assess financial viability, identify operational challenges, and evaluate socio-economic impacts. The insights gained from this phase will inform strategies for scaling up the deployment to the remaining 900 communities, ensuring a sustainable and impactful nationwide rollout. 

The project emphasizes stakeholder activation, sustainable program design, and the transfer of knowledge and technology to local communities, aiming to build in-country capacity and create a replicable model for other regions. By focusing on these strategic objectives, SEforALL is laying the groundwork for a successful expansion of clean energy access in Zambia, with the potential to serve as a model for similar efforts in other countries. 

The position will require the  incumbent to primarily support within the Zambia project, while also contributing to various activities with the IEP team. 

• First Level University (Bachelor’s) degree in Cartography, Business Administration, Economics, Energy, Engineering, Political Science, Sustainable Development, Climate Change, Geographic Information Systems or a related field. An Advanced Degree (Master's or equivalent) will be considered an advantage.

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 8 /IICA 1
3. 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. 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.