Programme Manager, Just Energy Transition

UNOPS hosts Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Secretariat/Programme in Vienna, Austria. Working with leaders in government, the private sector and civil society to drive further, faster action toward achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030, and the Paris Agreement, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate warming to below 2° Celsius.  Achieving these goals will require a radical rethink of the way we produce, distribute, and consume energy. SEforALL is at the heart of this foundational shift to ensure no one is left behind. Drawing on data and evidence, we identify a critical path to success in achieving SDG7. 

Launched in 2011 by the Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. SEforALL maintains close links with the UN, including through a relationship agreement, partnerships with UN agencies and with SEforALL's CEO acting as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. These roles include advising the UN Secretary General and his staff on issues relating to sustainable energy and the implementation of SDG7 and supporting the coordination of sustainable energy issues in the United Nations system.

The ambitions of SDG7 are extraordinary. Aiming to achieve them in the context of the Paris Agreement on climate change involves transformation at a scale never undertaken before. Swift action must be taken by leaders in governments, private sector companies, institutions, financiers, development banks, unions, communities, entrepreneurs, and civil society. As we enter the final decade to achieve SDG7, SEforALL has strategically chosen to strengthen global agenda-setting while expanding its activities to an engagement model that prioritizes data-driven decision-making, partnerships with high-impact countries and implementation on the ground. 

This position is located within the Energy Transition department to build a programme focusing on just transition and decarbonization of State-owned Enterprises and communities in developing countries, complementing the energy planning, green industrialization and community-level work being conducted by SEforALL.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the supervision and overall direction of the Director, Energy Transition, the Programme Manager, Just Energy Transition will drive the strategic development and implementation of initiatives focused on just energy transition and decarbonization. The main responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Planning and Opportunities Identification

• Identify strategic opportunities to position SEforALL as a key catalyst in large, high-impact, and multi-stakeholder initiatives aimed at just transition and decarbonization, in collaboration with the SEforALL partnership team. 

• Lead the creation of new opportunities on just transition and decarbonization to determine their strategic value for large organizations and communities in developing countries.

International Research and Strategy

• Lead the development of a strategy on just transition, energy decarbonization, and transition of state-owned enterprises in developing countries. 

• Conceptualize and lead new collaborations in just energy transition and energy decarbonization.  

• Conceptualize new demand driven research and engagement with key stakeholders in areas of energy transition of state-owned enterprises and just energy transition of communities. 

Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

• Provide quality control and contribute intellectual leadership in the management of partnerships, country engagements, and energy intelligence, ensuring that initiatives are strategically positioned.

• Contribute to resource mobilization, including providing concept notes, proposals, presentations, and engaging in out-reach to potential funders to secure critical support for SEforALL mission, in collaboration with SEforALL’s fundraising team.

• Conceptualize and drive fundraising in areas of just transition and energy decarbonization.

• An Advanced Degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in Resource Management, Energy Policy, Environment, Engineering, Sustainability, Public Policy or related field is required. A PhD in  Resource Management, Energy Policy, Environment, Engineering, Sustainability, Public Policy or related field is an advantage.

• A Bachelor’s degree preferably in Resource Management, Energy Policy, Environment, Engineering, Sustainability, Public Policy or related field with additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree.

b. Work Experience 

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in just transition, energy decarbonization, climate change and transition of state-owned enterprises especially in developing countries is required.

• Demonstrated experience of just transition principles and international best practices on energy policies is required.

• Prior experience working with governments and other broad partnerships in developing countries is desirable.

• Experience in writing reports and academic papers on just energy transition is desirable.  

• Fluency in English is required.

• Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Contract type: International Individual Contract (IICA)
Contract level: ICS 10 /IICA 2
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.