Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP

The Western Balkan region is heavily dependent on fossil fuels and ranks among the most polluted areas in Europe. In Kosovo, energy production is primarily coal-based, relying on two outdated power plants that have been in operation for over 60 years. These aging facilities form the backbone of the local energy system, providing affordable electricity but at the expense of reliability and efficiency. This reliance on obsolete infrastructure imposes significant socio-economic costs, including environmental degradation, public health risks, and missed opportunities for economic modernization and sustainable development.

Institutional capacity building and inclusive community engagement, including SMEs and households, are pivotal to transforming Kosovo's energy landscape, despite the significant challenges in adopting energy-efficient practices. SMEs often lack the technical expertise and financial resources needed to implement innovative energy solutions, while households struggle with poorly insulated buildings, insufficient information, and reliance on low-efficiency appliances, leading to higher energy consumption.     

Addressing energy poverty demands a multidisciplinary approach, from adopting necessary legal frameworks to implementing innovative technical and policy measures. Kosovo's Just Transition Roadmap, which is being developed as part of the EU Growth Plan reform agenda, calls for comprehensive strategies, including investments in renewable energy, subsidies for low-income households, job creation, and energy efficiency programs.

The ‘Inclusive and Just Pathway to 2030: Green Energy Future’ project aims to support Kosovo in achieving a just, inclusive, and sustainable transition from coal to renewable energy, fully aligned with Kosovo’s Energy Strategy 2022-2031, the National Energy and Climate Plans 2025-2030, and EU climate and energy commitments. This intervention aims to strengthen institutional and technical capacities for policy implementation, develop sustainable employment pathways in renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors, drive innovative investments, and foster public awareness of energy-efficient behavior. By 2030, the project seeks to contribute to a 35% share of renewable energy in Kosovo’s energy mix, a 33% reduction in emissions, and reduced energy poverty through an inclusive transition journey.

The project aims to address the above-mentioned challenges as follows:

• Provide tailored technical assistance, capacity-building programs, and access to high-level advisory support. Support the Ministry and relevant stakeholders to develop and implement policies that align with the ambitious programs in the EU accession pathway, and enhance institutional coordination by establishing flexible mechanisms, for example, engaging with municipalities and private sector stakeholders.
• Promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency adoption in the private sector, particularly among SMEs.
• Empowering local communities through targeted support for energy-poor households and public awareness initiatives around efficient use of energy.
• Supporting investments in energy, that enhance energy savings, reduce energy poverty, and promote new policies for a just energy transition.
• Through these interventions, the project aligns with Kosovo’s energy transition agenda while advancing Danish development objectives of promoting climate action, social equity, and economic resilience. 
   

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Project Manager, the Green Transition Analyst will support the achievement of project outputs as defined in the project document and annual work plan. 

Support effective project planning and implementation:

• Take an active role in supporting the effective, responsive, and timely project implementation, including continuous updates to the annual work plan, budget, and procurement plan; regular review of schedules, deliverables, and budgets, and updates of project data tools.
• Contribute to the quality and timely delivery of project outputs and prepare draft reports using the results framework, in line with UNDP rules and procedures.
• Support implementation monitoring to identify strengths and weaknesses, and propose efficiency improvements.
• Monitor project risks and issues, provide recommendations to the Project Manager, and maintain risk and issue logs.
• Use innovative tools and approaches in project implementation and stakeholder engagement.
  Ensure attention to vulnerable groups (e.g., minorities, women, youth) in climate-resilient and just transition efforts.

Provide technical support and analytical inputs:

• Contribute to drafting policy analyses, reports, briefs, and advisory inputs on energy and green transition.
• Identify opportunities in Just Transition, climate action, and energy efficiency, and share relevant information with the Project Manager and Portfolio Analyst.
• Support data systems and policymaking on green recovery, just transition, energy efficiency, community engagement, and private-sector green transition.
• Support analytical reviews, capture lessons learned, and propose follow-up actions to the Project Manager and Portfolio Analyst.

Strengthen partnerships, coordination, and communication:

• Support strong working relations and dialogue with institutional and organizational partners.
• Help identify linkages with UN entities and other projects to maximize synergies and avoid overlap.
• Support dissemination, visibility, and awareness-raising on project achievements and cross-cutting issues (gender, human rights, etc.).
• Contribute to building and facilitating a high-performing project team, including consultants and service providers.

Contribute to knowledge management and capacity development:

• Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing within the project team.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation
 

Institutional Arrangement

The Green Transition Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the UNDP Project Manager and will support the quality implementation and monitoring of activities, while collaborating closely with partners, stakeholders, and contractors.
 

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross Functional and technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy

• System Thinking    
  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management

• Results-based Management  
  • Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programs, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Partnerships Management    
  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
•  Communication    
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Monitoring & Evaluation     
  • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programs, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively. 
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and program management and results.
  • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programs and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.
  • Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. 
  • Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. 

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Climate    
  • Climate change adaptation policy and planning: National Adaptation Plans
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Economics, Development Studies, Climate, Environment, or a related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree. 

Experience:

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. 
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in research, policy analysis and writing reports in the area of climate and energy.

Desired skills:

• Experience in the field of environment and/or climate initiatives.
• Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems.
• Knowledge and practical experience in strategic planning, stakeholder cooperation, multi-partner coordination, project cycle design, management, and implementation.
• Familiarity with the UN system and previous experience of working for or with the UN.
• Proven track record in coordinating complex programs with a diverse range of partners. 
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for an international agency, donor organization, or NGO. 

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Albanian or Serbian is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.