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• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Background and Organization Context
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading organization for sustainable development within the UN system, acting as the key integrator to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP's work spans headquarters, regional, and country levels, leveraging local expertise alongside global insights to deliver effective advocacy and solutions. The Global Policy Network (GPN) is central to this effort, mobilizing technical expertise to support UNDP's strategic objectives and six "signature solutions."
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) have the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.
As per UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2026-2029, four strategic objectives – prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience and healthy planet – define the organization’s strategic direction, powered by three accelerators: digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation; gender equality; and sustainable finance.
The central purpose of the Rome Centre is to ensure the effective implementation and further development of the strategic partnership between UNDP and the government of Italy across the objectives of sustainable development and in doing so advancing the broader partnership between UNDP and G7 and G20 countries.
The Rome Centre focuses on the critical policy areas of youth engagement in climate action, energy for development and climate finance.
Energy is one of UNDP’s six signature solutions, alongside poverty reduction, governance, resilience, environment, and gender equality. These solutions guide countries towards three key goals: structural transformation, leaving no one behind, and resilience. UNDP's energy strategy aligns with SDG 7, focusing on three action areas: increasing access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy; improving energy efficiency; and expanding the share of renewable energy in the energy mix.
To achieve these objectives, UNDP employs integrated interventions, including policy reform, technology adoption, financial solutions, delivery systems, capacity development, community mobilization, and awareness-raising. These efforts aim to eliminate barriers to sustainable energy investments and facilitate energy transitions globally.
The "Energy for Growth in Africa" initiative is a key part of this broader strategy, launched in collaboration with the G7 to build on the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnerships initiative. This program identifies clean energy projects in Africa that face difficulties securing financing and provides support through de-risking instruments, making them more attractive to international investors. By pooling and vetting these projects, the initiative reduces perceived investor risk through scale effects and leverages concessional catalytic capital to maximize private sector investment.
The initiative is tasked to operate in 10 African countries – Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauretania, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tunisia and Zambia – with plans for further expansion. It focuses on markets with limited access to commercial finance and coordinates with G7 and other multilateral efforts to integrate complementary actions, streamline funding, and enhance the delivery of de-risking instruments and financial resources to projects in the "Energy for Growth" pipeline.
2. Scope of Work
The Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition and the Tunisia Country office are seeking an Energy Finance Specialist to advance UNDP's mission in Africa through the "Energy for Growth in Africa" program. This specialist will play a key role in implementing the partnership’s actions in Tunisia and coordinating with the broader initiative and key partners.
The Energy Finance Specialist will serve as a focal point of the UNDP Rome Centre’s Energy for Growth initiative. S/he will be based at UNDP Country Office in Tunis, Tunisia. The primary focus of this role will be to identify clean energy projects seeking finance, while leveraging existing partnerships and funding mechanisms. This will take place in close strategic coordination with the existing sector engagement of the Country Office as well as the governments energy priorities. The Energy Specialist will provide strategic insights and technical expertise to ensure alignment between country needs with both regional needs and global energy goals, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy future for Africa.
The Energy Finance Specialist will enhance UNDP’s country offices capacity in the energy and climate sectors by providing specialized expertise and technical support, with a focus on the following key areas.
- Strengthen UNDP Tunisia Country Office's capacity in terms of expertise on energy finance including prospect and ongoing country activities to.
- Mainstream Sustainable Energy and Energy Access-related activities in UNDP Tunisia programmatic effort ensuring integration with the existing portfolios and exploring interlinkages with other thematic areas.
- Ensure and promote coordination between existing country programming on sustainable energy development in Tunisia with UNDP global and regional energy portfolio, with reference to PISTA, Climate Promise, NDC implementation, Sustainable Energy Hub’s energy policy work among others.
- Provide technical advice to the country office’s related approaches and initiatives in energy access and transition and explore opportunities within neighbouring countries and possible collaboration/partnerships at a regional level.
- Analyse data, collate information and draft comprehensive reports, plans, concept notes, policy briefs, proposals, and recommendations on best practices and lessons learned and recommend ways for replication or scaling up.
- Support the organization of stakeholder meetings and related events and prepare technical advisory work, policy, and communication materials including advice to the country office’s related approaches and initiatives in energy access and transition.
- Prepare a quarterly report on project progress, including updates on project identification, risk mitigation activities, stakeholder engagement, and investment facilitation.
2. Develop strategic partnerships and facilitate resource mobilization
- Develop the existing UNDP Tunisia energy pipeline and identify additional opportunities for projects in sustainable energy solutions, including large-scale deployment of clean cooking energy solutions, ensuring sustained engagement with key partners (government, civil society, and the private sector) and relevant stakeholders and supporting the mobilization of the required finance for project implementation
- Support the design and preparation of project proposals for different sources of funding and boost and establish links with related national and regional projects on energy access and transition, and other international programs.
- Engage with energy sector stakeholders—including government agencies, private investors, and development institutions, particularly G7 development partners, to foster collaboration and ensure alignment with G7 priorities
3. Ensure Project Risk Mitigation and Investment Facilitation
- Provide technical analysis of project risks, including financial, regulatory, and operational risks affecting project bankability and investment readiness.
- Recommend and support the deployment of de-risking mechanisms, such as technical assistance, blended finance, and insurance solutions (e.g., political risk, off-taker risk).
- Liaise with financial institutions, investors, and multilateral partners to ensure appropriate risk mitigation tools are applied and investment barriers are reduced.
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Identify opportunities for clean energy projects to generate carbon credits under voluntary or compliance carbon markets (e.g., Article 6 of the Paris Agreement) and support the integration of carbon revenue streams into project financing structures.
4. Provide Technical Assistance, Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing
- Offer technical inputs to clean energy project developers on feasibility studies, business models, power purchase agreements, and compliance with environmental and social safeguards.
- Guide and support the UNDP Country Office in strengthening national and institutional capacity for project preparation, financing, and long-term energy planning, including links to NDCs and national development strategies.
- Facilitate the exchange of lessons learned and best practices with other participating countries under the Energy for Growth in Africa initiative.
- Provide guidance and capacity building to national stakeholders on carbon market access, methodologies (e.g., Gold Standard, Verra), and certification processes to enable eligible clean energy projects to benefit from carbon finance.
- Identify, assess, and collaborate with suitable investment intermediaries—fund managers, transaction advisors, and financial structuring firms—that possess strong knowledge of Tunisia’s energy landscape and international investor expectations, and where appropriate, support their procurement and engagement to enhance the investment readiness of the national clean energy project pipeline.
5. Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the UNDP country office.
- Organize training for the project personnel to enhance their capacities in the technical matters of the thematic area of the project.
- Identify, evaluate, synthesize, and document lessons learned and best practices directly linked to the project goals and activities. Develop knowledge sharing materials and respond to related queries.
- Contribute substantively to knowledge networks and communities of practice within the thematic area of the project.
- Support for the transition of the UNDP compound to full operation on renewable energies
- Develop and carry out a personal learning plan.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
3. Institutional Arrangement
The Energy Specialist will be part of the "Energy for Growth in Africa" team at the UNDP Rome Centre, working under dual reporting to the Energy Team Lead of UNDP Rome Centre and the Team Leader, Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction (CERC) at UNDP Tunisia Country Office. The Energy for Growth in Africa team will provide technical assistance to ensure the effective implementation of the Energy Specialist's work.
While the Energy Specialist will be based at UNDP Country Offices to support on-the-ground activities, the role might require undertaking field missions to UNDP Country Offices in the countries within the region and will in this with a secondary reporting line to the Country Office management (RR/DRR) and relevant teams covering energy/environment portfolios. The position will report to Energy Team Lead of UNDP Rome Centre.
Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| Business Management | 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 |
| Business Management | Portfolio Management | Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management |
| Business Management | Operations Management |
Ability to effectively plan, organise and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organisation’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms. |
| Business Direction and 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 |
| 2030 Agenda: Partnerships | Sustainable Energy Hub | Energy Finance |
| Partnership management: | Resource mobilization | Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements |
| 2030 Agenda: Partnerships | Sustainable Energy Hub | Energy: Energy Efficiency |
Required Education, Experience, Skills and Competencies
Minimum Education requirements
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Renewable Energy, Climate Change, International Development, Finance, Energy Policy, Engineering, or other related fields is required, Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Minimum years of relevant work experience
Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional work experience in energy or development finance, project origination, or the provision of technical assistance?
Required skills
- Experience in developing a pipeline of bankable projects, energy investment facilities, and resource mobilization for clean energy investments is required.
- Proven experience of substantive understanding of energy policies, regulations, and incentives at local and national levels, notably in Africa, is required.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
- Experience in providing operational and project/programme management support for projects/programmes related to sustainable energy and climate change, prior work experience with UNDP is an advantage.
- Demonstrated capacity in elaborating investment plans in the field of energy, particularly in the field of energy access and transition with a focus on energy financing mechanism is desired.
- Experience in developing energy investment facilities, resource mobilization and risk management for clean energy investments within UNDP or other international organisation is an advantage.
- Experience in developing strategies for unlocking renewable energy financing (working experience with actors such as IFC/ World Bank, Africa Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, European Investment Bank and other Multilateral Development Banks) will be an asset.
- Experience in fostering partnerships between public and private entities to leverage resources and finance energy projects is an asset.
- Experience with development policy financing for clean energy projects is an advantage.
- Experience in active engagement with multiple public and private stakeholders in Africa in the energy sector is desired.
- Experience at a professional level in a large international or governmental organization, prior experience working with UN system agencies is a strong asset.
- Experience with policy research and publications on topics such as sustainable development, green transition, climate, environment, and sustainable energy is a strong asset.
- Demonstrated to negotiate terms and conditions of financing agreements, contracts, and partnerships with stakeholders is desired.
- Technical/advisory experience in the UN System related to climate change and energy desirable.
- Relevant relationship and network building in the field of SDG7 in Africa is desired.
Required Language (s):
- Fluency in French is required.
- Working knowledge of English is desirable.
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.
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
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