Programme Management Advisor (Energy Sector Expert), 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: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia,  EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2024, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 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.

Background Information – The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership 

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) Agreement objectives.

ETP focuses 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. 

The Programme Management Advisor (Energy Sector Expert’s) Retainer Role

The Programme Management Advisor will play a key role in supporting ETP in the design, delivery, and monitoring of programs aimed at accelerating the energy transition in Southeast Asia. Working closely with the ETP team, consultants, and implementing partners, the role will contribute to the development of high-impact interventions that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and enabling policy and infrastructure. The position requires strong analytical, communication, and coordination skills, as well as a commitment to ETP’s mission of driving inclusive, low-carbon growth across the region.

The Programme Management Advisor will be responsible for conducting research and analysis to inform program design, including gathering data, mapping stakeholders, and identifying policy and technical gaps. They will support the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, and implementation strategies, ensuring alignment with ETP’s strategic objectives. During project implementation, the role will contribute directly to the delivery of agreed outputs, support the coordination of activities, and assist in tracking progress against work plans. The role will also involve preparing reports and other documentation aligned with set indicators and reporting frameworks.

The Programme Management Advisor’s support will span across ASEAN and South Asian countries, with a particular focus on Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. It will require regular engagement with government stakeholders, development partners, civil society, and private sector actors to support effective implementation and build buy-in. The Programme Management Advisor will contribute to the preparation of high-quality knowledge products, progress reports, and communications materials, helping to capture lessons learned and inform future programming. Travel within the region may be required to support project implementation, monitor progress, and engage with beneficiaries. A proactive, collaborative approach will be essential in contributing to the delivery of timely, impactful, and context-sensitive support across ETP’s priority countries.

This is not a full-time position. Retainer contractors will carry out tasks on an intermittent basis, called upon to work when needed or as planned. There are no guaranteed minimum working hours or days.

1. Within the scope of the outlined functional responsibilities, specific deliverables will include but are not limited to:

• Data Collection and Analysis: Systematic gathering and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data from project activities, partners, and beneficiaries to inform implementation, track results, and support evidence-based decision-making.

• Report Preparation: Timely and high-quality preparation of project progress reports, monitoring and evaluation summaries, meeting notes, and other written outputs, in line with ETP’s reporting standards and indicators framework.

• Program Implementation Support: Effective coordination and delivery of ETP-supported activities in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, including management of timelines, outputs, and collaboration with implementing partners.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Ongoing engagement with government agencies, development partners, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to gather input, validate findings, and ensure relevance and buy-in for program activities.

• Operational and Technical Support: Assistance with the coordination of technical assistance efforts, including organizing field missions, events, and workshops, and reviewing deliverables to ensure consistency with ETP’s objectives.

• Knowledge and Communication Products: Contribution to the development of case studies, presentations, and communications materials that capture lessons learned, best practices, and outcomes from program implementation.

• Regional Collaboration: Support to knowledge sharing and alignment of efforts across ASEAN countries, with a particular focus on Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

In addition to the above deliverables, the Programme Management Advisor is expected to maintain regular communication with the ETP team through bi-weekly and ad hoc coordination meetings. Occasional travel within Southeast Asia may be required to collect data, monitor implementation, and engage directly with stakeholders and partners.

Functional responsibilities:

• Assist in the development and refinement of project concepts, proposals, and implementation strategies aligned with ETP’s strategic objectives.

• Support the coordination and delivery of technical assistance and implementation activities in collaboration with consultants and implementing partners.

• Monitor project workplans, track progress against milestones, and support adaptive management to ensure outputs are delivered on time and meet quality standards.

• Conduct targeted research and gather data from multiple sources - including government reports, stakeholders, partners, and field activities - to inform program design and delivery.

• Support the mapping of stakeholders, institutional frameworks, and technical and policy gaps in ETP priority countries.

• Analyze findings to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities to strengthen program effectiveness and impact.

• Prepare high-quality reports, briefing notes, and summaries documenting project progress, lessons learned, and stakeholder feedback.

• Support the development of internal and external knowledge products, including case studies, slide decks, and implementation insights.

• Maintain accurate records of project activities and results for reporting against ETP’s Results-Based Monitoring Framework.

• Liaise with government officials, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society stakeholders to support implementation and ensure alignment with national priorities.

• Coordinate and support the organization of consultations, meetings, and workshops, including preparing agendas, background materials, and meeting reports.

• Facilitate effective communication between ETP, its partners, and beneficiaries throughout project implementation.

• Contribute to cross-country collaboration and learning across ASEAN, with a focus on Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

• As needed, travel to support data collection, program delivery, and stakeholder engagement in the region.

• Assist in preparing and maintaining work plans, task trackers, and project documentation.

• Contribute to team coordination and internal communications to ensure efficient workflow and accountability.

• Prepare presentation materials for internal and external meetings, events, and donor briefings.

• An advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) or higher degree in preferably Energy Policy, Energy Systems, Environmental Engineering, Renewable Energy, Public Policy, Climate Change, Economics, Sustainable Development, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the above-mentioned fields with an additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

• At least seven (7) years of experience in supporting the implementation of technical assistance or development programs, with a focus on energy, environment, climate, or infrastructure sectors, in combination with a relevant advanced university degree, is required.

• Experience working in or with Southeast Asian countries, particularly Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, is highly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in program implementation, stakeholder coordination, or technical research and reporting in the context of energy transition or low-carbon development is desirable.

• Proven ability to synthesize information from diverse sources, conduct policy and technical analysis, and contribute to the preparation of high-quality reports, presentations, and knowledge products is an asset.

• Familiarity with energy transition topics such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, grid modernization, or enabling policies and institutions is preferred.

• Experience in data collection and stakeholder mapping exercises, as well as the ability to track and monitor project outputs and results against set objectives, is an asset.

• Previous work with international organizations, UN agencies, or donor-funded programs is considered an advantage.

• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace is required; experience with data analysis or visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, or similar) is an asset.

• Fluency in English is required. 

• Working knowledge of one or more Southeast Asian languages is an advantage.

• This is not a full-time position. Retainers may be requested to carry out tasks on an intermittent and need basis. There are no minimum hours or days guaranteed.
• In duty stations where the NPO category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) must be issued for a home-based contract.
• For home-based position, it will be the responsibility of the selected candidate to make arrangements, to a standard deemed acceptable by UNOPS, for a secure internet connections, laptop and/or equipment necessary for work (as defined by UNOPS). 
• For home-based positions, candidates must have the necessary permissions to work in their home base location without sponsorship from UNOPS.

• 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.