Background

Moldova is part of the European Union’s European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) and the Eastern Partnership (EaP) framework, which aim to strengthen regional cooperation between the EU and its neighbouring countries. As a Contracting Party to the Energy Community Treaty since 2010 and following the 2014 Association Agreement with the EU—including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)—Moldova has progressively aligned its energy and environmental legislation with EU standards.

The energy crisis, triggered by the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent disruption of regional energy supply chains, exposed Moldova’s vulnerability as a heavily import-dependent energy market. The crisis accelerated the Government’s efforts to diversify energy sources, enhance system resilience, and reduce geopolitical dependence. Energy security and affordability emerged as urgent national priorities, with reforms embedded across key strategic and legislative frameworks.

A major milestone was reached on 16 March 2022, when Moldova successfully synchronized its electricity transmission system with the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), enhancing system stability and enabling integration into the EU electricity market.

In parallel, Moldova’s EU accession process gained momentum—application for membership was submitted in March 2022, candidate status granted in June 2022, and accession negotiations formally launched in June 2024, following a constitutional referendum that endorsed the country’s EU integration path. Moldova is now required to align its legal and policy frameworks with the EU acquis Communautaire, particularly in energy, climate, and environmental domains.

The Government has prioritized structural reforms in the energy sector—focusing on scaling renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and strengthening regulatory frameworks. These reforms are closely tied to Moldova’s commitments under the EU Clean Energy for All Europeans package, the Energy Community acquis, and the conditionalities set out in the Reform Agenda under the EU's Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova.

In this context, UNDP and the Government co-designed the Accelerating a Just Energy Transition in the Republic of Moldova portfolio in July 2023. This programme supports national efforts to tackle the current energy crisis, address energy poverty, and strengthen institutional capacities—ensuring a fair, inclusive, and sustainable energy transition that meets Moldova’s long-term development and EU integration goals.

The Accelerating a Just Energy Transition in Republic of Moldova has the following five key areas of intervention/components:

1. Accelerate Energy Diversification and Efficiency
2. Decarbonizing Industries and Economic Sectors 
3. Foster Sustainable Consumption Patterns
4. Strengthen Inclusive Energy Governance
5. Addressing Energy Vulnerability and Promoting Resilience

On project level, the incumbent will be responsible for implementation of the third Agreement between UNDP Moldova and the Italian Government (the agreement concluded on 12.06.2026); while on the portfolio level, the Component Manager will be responsible for overall implementation of the Key area of intervention 4 (Strengthen Inclusive Energy Governance). detailed organizational arrangements and list of responsibilities for the Component Manager are provided under the Section III – Scope of Work.

Implementation period of the the Accelerating a Just Energy Transition in the Republic of Moldova portfolio: 2023-2028.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Energy Transition Programme Manager and the overall guidance of the UNDP Climate Change, Environment and Energy (EECC) Cluster Lead. 

On the project level, the Component Manager will be directly accountable for coordination, planning and implementation of the third Agreement with the Italian Government, which covers the following activities: smart metering and digitalization of the energy sector; renewable energy communities; strengthening cybersecurity of the energy sector and the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund. Each of the respective activities under the UNDP-Italy Third Agreement are managed by a dedicated Project Manager. The role of the Component Manager therefore covers coordinating and overseeing the planning, budgeting, procurement work done by the Project Officers / Project Managers, implementing each specific activities under the UNDP-Italy Third Agreement. The incumbent will be responsible for coordination of national partners, monitoring of technical deliverables, results-based reporting, risk management, and compliance with UNDP operational and financial procedures of the activities implemented under the UNDP-Italy Third Agreement.

On the level of the JET Portfolio, the incumbent will lead and coordinate interventions that advance energy governance and alignment with the EU acquis and policies across all JET Programme components and therefore will act as the JET Programme Option Lead, covering the programme’s Key Intervention Area 4 (Strengthen Inclusive Energy Governance). This includes steering, in line with UNDP RBM principles and rules, the implementation of all activities under two ongoing agreements between UNDP and the Italian Government (the Second and the Third UNDP-Italy Agreements), which thematically fall under the Key Intervention Area 4. The Component Manager will work in close collaboration with the Programme Analyst responsible for the second UNDP-Italy Agreement under the JET Programme to ensure coherence, complementarity, and synchronized implementation across all mutually reinforcing activities. Further on the Portfolio level, the Component Manager will contribute to knowledge management and sharing – in collaboration with the JET Portfolio Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst, and the JET Portfolio Steward.

Should additional agreements be secured during the incumbent’s tenure, he/she will likewise be responsible for their effective planning, implementation, oversight, and reporting, ensuring coherence with the wider JET Programme framework and close collaboration with the Programme Analyst responsible for the second Agreement. The role involves ensuring timely delivery against annual workplans, maintaining quality assurance across outputs, and managing day-to-day coordination with implementing partners and contractors.

Throughout implementation, the Component Manager will apply results-based management (RBM) principles and ensure a rights-based, gender-responsive, and inclusive approach, in full compliance with UNDP rules, regulations, and quality assurance standards.

Coordinate effective project planning and implementation of the activities under UNDP-Italy Third Agreement:

• Oversee day-to-day operations and implementation of project activities.
• Ensuring effective content and operational management of the project
• Exercise close monitoring of project activities and produce monitoring reports. 
• Ensure the timely and efficient delivery of Project outputs and products, as per the Project Document, leading to the achievement of expected results.
• Develop Work Plan, periodic narrative progress and final reports and expenditures status reports and submit to the supervisor.
• Ensure the implementation of the activities under the Project work plan according to indicators for achieving planned results, as well as the overall management of the Project in line with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures.
• Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study visits and related activities relevant to the implementation of the Project.
• Support UNDP CO in effectively managing human resources pertaining to the Project, including staff, consultants and short-term experts; conduct periodic performance appraisals; build, lead and motivate a solid team of professionals.
• Support the efficient management of the Project financial resources, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting.
• Continuously record and maintain Project issues and risks and suggest mitigation measures.
• Maintain a close collaboration with other related UNDP programmes to ensure synergies and complementarities.
• Maintain a continuous effective dialogue with the key stakeholders, central and local government authorities, other UN agencies and actors active in the sector, CSOs, partner organizations, international and national experts in the areas of the Project intervention in view of identifying synergies and avoiding overlapping of assistance.
• Ensure high quality information and visibility of the project activities to the mass media and stakeholders and support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local, national, and as required at international levels;

Co-lead and facilitate the governance architecture and digitalisation policies activities across the JET programme (Key Intervention Area 4 - Strengthen Inclusive Energy Governance):

• Organize and maintain dialogue between the government (Ministry of Energy, National Center for Sustainable Energy (CNED), other central government bodies), energy regulator (ANRE), and other key stakeholders in the energy sector, including the generation and distribution companies, to facilitate the implementation of the goals of the JET programme with regards to enhancing the governance in the energy sector and assisting the government with the alignment to the EU acquis and regulations in the energy sector; and to support the Government of Moldova with developing policies and governance instruments aimed at implementing the Energy Digital Transformation Programme for 2026-2030. 
• Design and oversee the implementation of initiatives aimed at supporting the government of Moldova’s EU accession efforts by integrating digital transformation policies and measures into the national energy policies, regulations, and governance processes. Provide assistance to the government of Moldova with transposing and implementing the EU acquis in the areas of digital transformation and governance architecture, with a specific focus on the energy sector.
• Develop policy initiatives aimed at implementing digital solutions across the energy sector, aligned with Moldova’s national strategies and action plans, including the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and the Digital transformation program for energy sector until 2030. In addition to national level policies, contribute to developing and implementing the local energy and climate action plans and pilot projects that adopt innovative digital solutions for the energy sector.
• Identify and develop new interventions within the JET Programme that contribute to digital transformation of the energy sector, in line with the existing priorities of the JET programme. These include adoption of the smart metering technologies, data-driven systems for energy management, digital tools to improve energy and resource efficiency.
• Facilitate the creation of partnerships integrating digital solutions for collaborative public-private energy projects, enhancing energy market access for local governments and private sector stakeholders.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s):

• Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
• Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Component Manager will work under the direct supervision of the Just Energy Transition Programme Manager and overall supervision of Climate Change, Environment and Energy (EECC) Cluster Lead. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality development services and outputs related to inclusive energy governance, in line with the scope of the Programme and assigned responsibilities. Activities will be implemented in full compliance with UNDP standards, applying a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) and principles of Gender Equality (GE), and addressing the needs of national and local counterparts.

He/she will be responsible and accountable to the Project Steering Committee for the achievement of results under the inclusive energy governance component. The Component Manager will coordinate the respective component team, which includes full-time staff and part-time consultants, as outlined in the programme’s organizational structure.

The incumbent will work in close collaboration with Programme, Operations, Communications, and other relevant teams within the UNDP Country Office (CO) to ensure the effective implementation of activities, while proactively addressing and resolving complex programme-related issues. He/she will also maintain active collaboration with other UNDP projects, national authorities, civil society actors, and development partners engaged in the energy sector, contributing to the Government’s efforts in advancing inclusive, sustainable, and resilient energy governance.

In addition, in close coordination with the Programme Specialist/EECC Cluster Lead, the Component Manager will support the UNDP Country Office in the development of new concept notes and project proposals in the field of energy governance and related areas, contributing to the expansion and strategic positioning of the Energy, Environment and Climate Change Cluster portfolio.

The incumbent is expected to fully comply with UNDP programming, financial, procurement, and administrative regulations, policies, and procedures, ensuring adherence to internal control mechanisms and quality standards throughout the implementation process.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies 

Business Management    

• Results-based Management:    
  • Ability to manage programmed and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
  • Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Project Management:    
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Risk Management:    
  • Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Business Direction and Management     

• Effective decision making:    
  • Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

Digital     

• Innovation management: 
  • Being able to create the strategies, conditions, structures and systems to enable innovation at an organisational level. 
  • Ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity, is able manage projects based principles of adaptation and emergence. 
  • Ability to shape demand for innovation services, navigate political constraints and make the case for allocation of resources to innovation, connect the appropriate innovation approaches based on business needs and make the case for innovation to be integrated at the planning level within their context. 
  • Having in-depth theoretical and experiential knowledge of innovation processes, methods, capabilities.

Partnership Management    

• CSO Engagement:    
  • Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs

2030 Agenda: Partnerships

• Sustainable Energy Hub: 
  • Just Energy Transition.
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Public and/or Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Management or other relevant fields is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned areas with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressive experience in the design, coordination, and implementation of projects, programmes, or complex policy initiatives in a multi-stakeholder and/or technically complex environment.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in managing or coordinating multidisciplinary teams and ensuring effective collaboration across different technical or institutional partners.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging and coordinating with a broad range of stakeholders, including central and local public authorities, private sector representatives, civil society, development partners, and media.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. 

Desired Skills:

• Prior experience with UNDP consultancy and/or project implementation.
• Experience achieving results and deadlines in a timely manner, maintaining a high standard throughout. 
• Demonstrated experience in working with the energy sector, including development of energy policies and regulations, and good knowledge or energy stakeholders.
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, development partners, NGOs, UN Agencies.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English, Romanian and Russian is required.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset.

Professional Certificates:

• Additional training or certification in project management will be considered an asset.

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.

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