Research and Knowledge Assistant

Background on SEforALL: Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an International Non-Governmental Organization operating a world-wide multi-stakeholder platform focused on the delivery of Sustainable Development Goal #7.  Launched as a UN initiative in 2011 by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, SEforALL is widely acknowledged for its achievement in raising global awareness of the world's sustainable energy challenges, ensuring they were included in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. SEforALL is directed by its CEO and supports the work of the CEO as she carries out her duties as the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General (SRSG) for Sustainable Energy for All, as well as her role as the 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 Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) and supporting the coordination of sustainable energy issues in the United Nations system.  The Secretary General’s advisory committee on Sustainable Energy for All will be supported by the SRSG and SEforALL.

The ambitions of SDG7 on ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services by 2030 are extraordinary.  Aiming to achieve them in the context of the Paris agreements involves transformation at a scale never undertaken by humanity before. Swift action needs to be taken by leaders in governments, companies, institutions, financiers, development banks, unions and communities, entrepreneurs and civil society.  As a global team, SEforALL crafts interventions that support these leaders in accelerating the delivery of actions.  All interventions comprise one or more of SEforALL’s competencies: (i) to marshal the evidence, (ii) to benchmark progress towards SEforALL objectives, (iii) to amplify the voices of the energy poor; (iv) to tell stories of success, and (v) to connect stakeholders to each other and to solutions. All interventions systematically draw on strategic insight, build on compelling communications, and are delivered through and include action-oriented partnerships. http://www.seforall.org/

Context of Assignment: SEforALL engages at the country level through its regional hubs, country focal points as well as other public, private and civil society partners to support access to energy for the more than 1 billion that lack electricity and the 3 billion that lack clean fuels and technologies for cooking in Africa and Asia today.  SEforALL’s global team works with its partners to support countries to develop Action Agendas and Investment Prospectuses – tailored national plans that aim to identify strategic priorities, policy reforms and a pipeline of investments – to go further, faster to meet SEforALL objectives. The Global Team plays a role, with its partners, in supporting the effective development and implementation of such plans to attract the necessary finance.  In doing so, SEforALL is committed to a People-Centered Approach that promotes gender equality, social inclusion and women’s empowerment to ensure no one is left behind and has established a voluntary partnership or Accelerator to further these goals.  SEforALL additionally engages and supports key partners at the international and regional level – through the G20, the Africa Energy Leaders Group, and other fora – to further engagement and commitment at the political level to broker the partnerships and unlock the finance to advance action.  SEforALL plays a role in facilitating the collation and sharing of knowledge and best practice across its multi-stakeholder partnership base.

Supervision

Title of Supervisor: Director, Policy

Content and methodology of supervision: The Research and Knowledge Assistant will be supervised through individual meetings with the supervisor, weekly team meetings, and through periodic performance appraisals. 

Education and Work Experience:

• Master’s degree or equivalent plus 1 year of experience in research and analysis with international development, a UN agency or the energy field.

• Experience in a fast paced environment that requires high flexibility and a commitment to results.

• Experience in operating across multiple time zones and with distributed teams.

Languages:

Complete fluency in English with strong written and verbal communication skills are required. Knowledge and ability to work in another UN language desirable. (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Technical Competencies:

• Gender and Social Inclusion: Understanding of gender and social inclusion in the context of sustainable energy policies, strategies, institutions and practices related to SEforALL’s mandate.
• Stakeholder engagement: A track record of engaging with partners in an international and country context.
• Knowledge Management and turning Knowledge to Value: Ability to work with others to create, synthesize and/ or share relevant knowledge and to stimulate its use.
• Project Management: Demonstrated skills with task/ project management. 

Core Competencies:

Excellent written, synthesis and research skills, including drafting ability and extensive knowledge of word processing and application of software package as databases and Power Point Presentations; Familiarity and appreciation of social media and a clear communicator.

Professionalism;      

Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity. Demonstrate corporate knowledge, Self-development and initiative-taking. Ability to work in a multi-cultural and international environment based on mutual respect and tolerance.  Demonstrates good judgment and discretion when handling sensitive materials.

Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion and tact in handling sensitive issues.

A commitment to the goals of SEforALL and to sustainable development more broadly essential.

A good sense of humor.

Willingness to 'get the job' done with a positive attitude to take on a wide range of tasks.

Ability and willingness to adjust to ‘beyond the normal’ working hours and manage the work life balance effectively to accommodate differences in time zones.

Analysis:

Demonstrated excellent research and analytical skills that can be applied to gather data and generate knowledge relevant to decision-making functions.

Planning and Organizing:

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments.  Adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently and is able to work to deadlines and maintain effectiveness under pressure.

Excellent organizational and task management skills, with appropriate attention to details and ability to prioritize work among multiple competing demands, and under tight deadlines.  Ability to manage multiple workflows at the same time.

Proactive approach to managing workflow, with keen ability to multi-task and respond quickly and flexibly to a wide range of issues, some of which come up in ad hoc and unexpected ways.

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment where adaptability will be a premier.

Communication:      

Excellent communication skills and proven drafting ability; ability to develop contacts, foster collaboration with UN and other stakeholders, deliver presentations, advocate for viewpoints and participate actively in internal as well as external debates and negotiations.

Ability to craft messages and communiques, and copy edit work to produce flawless written communications is required.

E-literacy:

Excellent e- skills, including the ability to use modern office technology and related software.

Practical knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software is required. Ability to do internet research, compile information and find solutions online to information gaps is essential.

Teamwork:

Work within a newly-formed team as well as with colleagues across work units, departments, divisions and with Member States. Support colleagues, establish a team culture, encourage others to participate in teamwork and share responsibility for decision-making and results. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Demonstrated ability to work with teams representing a wide variety of staffing levels that also cut across agencies and partners, and work without direct authority to deliver timely and high quality products.  Strong team player capabilities.

Personal.

Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.  Demonstrates behavior of professional and personal ethics transparency and openness to encourage respect and similar behavior from colleagues in the work place. Sensitivity to other people’s cultural and religious norms and the ability to easily blend with others.  Must have shown to have the ability to be discrete and maintain confidential information. Exhibits diplomacy, loyalty and commitment to SEforALL’s goals. Sense of humor an advantage.

SEforALL values

Partnership. SEforALL’s global team operates within and across partner driven networks, building on its strong relationship with the UN. SEforALL’s global team catalyzes connections, coordinates activities with others, collaborates on common objectives and leverages opportunities to deliver more as a platform than it can do individually.

Agility. SEforALL’s global team is adaptive in its approach so it can stay focused on its goal in an evolving economic and political environment. It brings people together that don’t normally talk to each other and frames the questions differently so it can help leaders unlock action and finance.

Diversity. SEforALL’s global team recognizes the diversity of needs across countries and communities and commits to working with all actors in delivering solutions that respond to these differentiated needs.

Equity. SEforALL’s goal is for “all.” SEforALL’s global team strives for a sustainable energy transition that is just and equitable and leaves no one behind.

Results. SEforALL global team focuses on helping leaders make the most progress, fastest in areas that make a meaningful contribution to SEforALL’s objectives. It is solutions-oriented. It values evidence and data. It understands the scale and urgency of the sustainable energy challenge and the need for a holistic systems-based approach.

-   SEforALL offers exciting high-impact assignments, a collegial and creative work environment, and the opportunity for committed professionals to thrive and grow within flat hierarchies and in the pursuit of an inspiring mission.

-   SEforALL provides competitive compensation packages at its locations in Vienna and Washington and modern workplace arrangements in terms of flexibility and results orientation;

-  Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

-  Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.

-   Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

-   SEforALL reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.