Energy Engineer

The Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR), based in Geneva, is responsible for the effective management, coordination and oversight of UNOPS operations across the region. The ECR region spans the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Türkiye, where UNOPS works with partners to achieve sustainable impact in health, education, environmental management, housing, rule of law, good governance, economic development, and social inclusion. With a wealth of experience in procurement, infrastructure, project and grant management, UNOPS in the region directly implements projects, provides technical advisory services and capacity building to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in support of national governments.

On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with strikes across the territory of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s invasion imposes a severe humanitarian and socio-economic toll, global energy and food crisis, large-scale destruction of the country's infrastructure, and disruptions in the provision of critical services and degradation of social fabrics and communities’ ties, triggering one of the world’s most significant forced displacements. 

Severe attacks on energy and critical infrastructure facilities leave millions of people without electricity, water or heating supply, struggling to access water, food, health services, materials to repair homes, among others. The continued attacks cause substantial damage to the country’s economy and agricultural production, and also affect the poorest countries worldwide.

UNOPS support to partners spans the humanitarian-development nexus from emergency response to building back better, across the housing, health, education, transport, energy and mine action sectors, through infrastructure, procurement and technical assistance / project management interventions, with the ultimate aim of supporting the country on its EU accession and in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UNOPS Ukraine and Eastern Europe MCO (UEMCO) operates in Ukraine, Moldova, and Poland, supporting urgent humanitarian needs while building pathways for recovery and development. In Ukraine, UEMCO delivers large-scale infrastructure, energy, housing, education, and mine action projects in partnership with UN agencies, international financial institutions, the European Union, and bilateral donors. Its agile portfolio responds to fast-evolving needs with strong procurement and implementation capacity. In Moldova, UEMCO supports justice sector reform and is exploring opportunities to expand its role across public sector modernization and infrastructure. In Poland, UEMCO works with government and private sector actors to strengthen ties with UN procurement and contribute to Ukraine’s recovery, leveraging Poland’s EU experience to support Ukraine’s future accession and integration.

This position is crucial for ensuring the reliable and efficient operation of heating and power supply systems within UNOPS projects in Ukraine. The Energy Engineer will be responsible for reviewing equipment specifications, checking design solutions, and overseeing the installation, commissioning and maintenance of energy equipment, contributing to the successful delivery of infrastructure and energy projects.

The Energy Engineer will be part of the Project Team delivering project related to supply, installation and commissioning of co-generation systems in the Town of Samar, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, adapting existing policies and procedures to meet emerging needs, and providing authoritative advice on technical matters.

1. Project Management and Reporting

• Assist Project Manager and Project Team in the matters related to Energy Engineering
• Propose adaptations to existing policies, approaches, and models to meet emerging Stakeholders’ or project needs.
• Participate in preparing detailed reports, analyses, and presentations on project progress and technical issues in the part related to the Energy Engineering.
• Maintain relationships with Stakeholders to ensure reliable service delivery.
• Summarize project practices, participate in the Lessons Learned session and contribute to the UNOPS delivery excellence.
• Oversee the testing and commissioning of co-generation systems and utility connections, coordinating with contractors and project teams.

2. Procurement and Supply of the Co-Generation Units

• In cooperation with UNOPS subject matter experts and Project Stakeholders, draft and finalize the Technical Specifications for the co-generation units to ensure compliance with project requirements and industry standards.
• Assist Procurement in preparing tender documents for procurement of the co-generation units and associated services e.g. delivery terms, installation supervision, performance test programme, provision of necessary training/s for end user and the likewise.
• Participate in the bids evaluation process as Technical Evaluator.
• Assist Project Team in managing procurement of the units, e.g. verifying units upon delivery.

3. Design and Permitting Management

• Take leadership in managing design in term of Process Design Package (розділ ТХ) and Grid Connection Package.
• Assist Design Management Unit (DMU) is preparation of the design brief for local design practitioners (Designer).
• Assist and control Designer in negotiating and obtaining Technical Conditions (TC) for connection to the grid and other utilities.
• Control preparation of the Process Design and Grid/Utilities Connections packages, verify that all TCs requirements are met.
• Check design solutions for energy equipment, identifying potential issues and recommending improvements.
• Ensure that all designs adhere to relevant safety regulations and environmental guidelines.

4. Works Procurement and Contract Management

• Assist Project Team in drafting the Works Contract documents to ensure that the Scope of Works is fully coordinated with co-generation units supply contract, installation supervision, performance tests and commissioning of the facility, including Grid and Utility connections.
• Assist Project Team in contract administration (contract/cost/variation management, valuation of the Works etc.)

5. Works Supervision

• Assist Project Team in the Works supervision, focusing on co-generation units installation and Grid/Utilities Connections.
• Control coordination between installation Contractor and co-generation units supplier with regard to installation supervision, performance tests, end user training/s, As-Built and maintenance documentation handover and continuity of the manufacturer’s warranty.
• Witness the performance tests of the co-generation units to ensure systems operate efficiently and reliably.
• Participate in the Works testing and commissioning.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical or Energy Engineering or related fields with 4 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience OR

• Technical/Professional Diploma in Electrical or Energy Engineering or a related field with 9 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent is desired.

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in power engineering (related to the operation and repair of power equipment or directly to cogeneration plants), including experience in reviewing equipment specification or, checking design solution,s or commissioning and maintaining heating and power supply systems

• Experience in preparing and obtaining permits for energy-related projects.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.

• Experience working on international development projects

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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.

• 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. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.