Partnerships Advisor (Renewable Energy) (Retainer)

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 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. 

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 and regional partners in the area of low-carbon development and energy transition. Renewable energy, including geothermal, solar, wind, hydro, and emerging clean energy technologies, are key to advancing sustainable energy access and achieving climate targets. Indonesia and Southeast Asia have set ambitious targets for the energy transition to meet SDG7 and climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. UNOPS is committed to supporting these efforts and seeks an experienced Partnerships Advisor to provide strategic and technical advice.

Reporting to the Head of Partnerships for EAPMCO, the incumbent will provide expert guidance, technical input, and innovative practices for the development and positioning of UNOPS renewable energy portfolio in Indonesia, and contribute as needed to other countries in Southeast Asia in the context of the Financing for Development (FfD) agenda.

Under the supervision of the Head of Partnerships, the Partnerships Advisor will provide expert advice and support for the development and new engagements in the area of renewable energy across different technologies (not limited to geothermal). The Partnerships Advisor will:

• Provide expert guidance on renewable energy strategy formulation, including project preparatory advisory, feasibility studies, and due diligence services (including environmental and social impact assessments) for renewable energy investments in Indonesia and the region.

• Support the operationalization of UNOPS business development and opportunity identification in renewable energy, including identifying programmatic entry points in various energy sectors.

• Provide technical advice on engaging with key renewable energy sector stakeholders (government agencies, IFIs, donors, private sector, and civil society) to position UNOPS as a trusted partner in energy transition work.

• Prepare high-quality meeting briefings, talking points, and background notes to support engagements with stakeholders in the context of the FfD agenda.

• Monitor and review renewable energy sector developments, identify lessons learned from past initiatives, and contribute to knowledge management and dissemination of best practices.

• Provide insights on integrating renewable energy approaches into FfD initiatives and broader climate and sustainability efforts.

Technical Advisory Support

• Support EAPMCO’s project development activities in renewable energy, from project identification through to proposal development, ensuring gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches.

• Advise on market intelligence and stakeholder analysis to identify potential opportunities for UNOPS renewable energy engagements in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

• Support the preparation of briefing notes and technical inputs for FfD-related discussions and donor dialogues.

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.

• 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.

• At least seven (7) years of experience in Renewable 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 renewable energy is required.

• Experience in the international development sector is required.

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

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

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

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

• 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.
• When the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) hasn't established the National Professional Officer (NPO) category in a duty station, a home-based International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) will be issued instead of an Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA).
• 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.