Energy Transition Specialist

Background About SEforALL

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization working with leaders in government, the private sector and civil society to drive further, faster action toward achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030, and the Paris Agreement, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate warming to below 2° Celsius.

Achieving these goals will require a radical rethink of the way we produce, distribute and consume energy. SEforALL is at the heart of this foundational shift to ensure no one is left behind. Drawing on data and evidence, we identify a critical path to success in achieving SDG7.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Now an independent organization, we maintain close links with the UN, including through a relationship agreement, partnerships with UN agencies and with SEforALL's CEO acting as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and 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 SDG7 and supporting the coordination of sustainable energy issues in the United Nations system.  

The ambitions of SDG7 are extraordinary. Aiming to achieve them in the context of the Paris Agreement on climate change involves transformation at a scale never undertaken before. Swift action must be taken by leaders in governments, private sector companies, institutions, financiers, development banks, unions, communities, entrepreneurs and civil society. As we enter the final decade to achieve SDG7, SEforALL has strategically chosen to strengthen global agenda-setting while expanding its activities to an engagement model that prioritizes data-driven decision-making, partnerships with high-impact countries and implementation on the ground. The new SEforALL three-year business plan outlines “results offers” that scope out our planned interventions and demonstrate to our funding partners the impact of their support.

Context and Objective of Assignment

International Relations and Special Projects (IRSP) has been driving the SEforALL’s global engagement related to SDG-7 and its interlinkages with SDG-13 by driving energy transition and climate action at global, regional, and national level. For instance, engage and support global players through a broad range of action-oriented partnerships with partner country governments, development finance institutions, development partners, international organizations, NGOs, CSOs and the private sector. IRSP has also been influencing global fora by providing strategic inputs to workshops, technical papers and the convenings of high-level partners and fora. Therefore, the activities have ranged from political engagement to national planning/policy support on energy transition. The IRSP is envisaging to provide technical assistance to developing countries in Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Senegal) and Asia (Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Gujarat/Karnataka) for energy transition plans. The objective of energy transition plans is to provide decarbonization pathway that integrates the SDG-7 and SDG-13 goals that would inform the investment and policy gaps to address energy transition readiness and sustainable development.

Energy Efficiency strives to elevate energy efficiency in the development agenda by communicating a clear narrative, convening partners, advocating for commitments and strengthening energy efficiency initiatives; Support strengthening the enabling environment for energy efficiency with strategy and policy progress; Support energy efficiency knowledge creation and awareness through tracking evidence, analysis and reporting; Sectoral support for market transformation and energy efficiency investment progress in each energy using sector.

Purpose/Objective of the Role

The main objectives of the role include:

• Support SEorALL’s global and national energy-climate nexus analytics.
• Support policy modelling, policy analysis and report writing of energy transition plans for ODA eligible countries.
• Support Mission Efficiency in India and other identified countries.

Duties and Tasks for the Role

The main tasks of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Support energy and climate modelling exercises and related tasks for developing energy transition pathways or decarbonization pathways.
• Support policy analysis related to energy transition pathways/plans in identified project countries.
• Support drafting and related tasks for developing energy transition pathways or plans for identified project countries.
• Support the coordination with project stakeholders, partners and consultants at global and country level for the delivery energy transition and energy efficiency projects.
• Support countries and implementing agencies to develop and enhance policies and commitments that support energy efficiency progress through Mission Efficiency (India and others as identified).
• Liaise and collaborate with country-based stakeholders, partners to prioritize action on policies, technology deployment and business models that will enable market readiness.
• Deliver high quality and impactful knowledge products, data, advice and support on energy transition and energy efficiency.
• Support the development and improvement of SEforALL’s strategy and theory of change on energy transition and energy efficiency, including by using results analysis to prioritize activities and collaboration partners.
• Support monitoring, evaluation and learning for the Energy Transition and Energy Efficiency and facilitate knowledge sharing across SEforALL teams, e.g., with Salesforce and SharePoint.
• Support communications and knowledge sharing dialogues on energy transition, climate action and energy efficiency.
• Support SEforALL outreach efforts and public facing global events (COP, UNGA etc.) on energy transition.

Specific Competencies for the Role

The desired skills and attributes for candidates include, but are not limited to:

• At least 5 years' experience in clean energy and climate action, and knowledge of energy models (such as OSEMOSYS, TIMES/MARKAL, LEAP, MESSAGE etc.).
• Understanding and experience of supporting country energy transition pathway models, and the role of energy transition pathways in national climate change and development planning.
• Knowledge of decarbonization pathways for industries, transport, building and agriculture, in addition to power sector.
• Experience of integration of energy models with macro-economic models/parameters is desirable.
• Knowledge of energy transition and net-zero concepts relating to policies, strategies, technologies and awareness of the major global players and initiatives.
• Knowledge of Python, R or other programming languages to modify or update energy model script, would be considered as an asset.
• Understanding of energy efficiency policies, strategies, technologies and initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in working with analytical teams and managing task leadership within tight deadlines.
• Excellent analytical writing skills as demonstrated in past work products (analytical reports, quantitative analysis, and/or published papers).
• Ability to effectively communicate with policy makers and stakeholders using data and synthesized narratives to provide the rationale for action.
• Ability to multitask, attention to detail and a disposition towards diplomatic and action-oriented interactions a must.
• Experience in demanding, pressurized, international environments is an asset.
• Excellent reading, speaking and writing skill in English language, similar skills in additional language would be desirable but not mandatory.

General Competences for the Role

• Innovation and Adaptability: Has proficient skills and commitment to search for and produce innovative and creative approaches to activities. Is flexible to evolving circumstances, as well as helps others in doing so.
• Resilience and Emotional Intelligence: Has proficient knowledge in the concepts of resilience and emotional intelligence. Is able to remain calm in challenging situations, to cope with setbacks, is responsive to the emotions of others and maintains a high level of performance.
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking: Has a proficient level of analytical and strategic thinking skills. Gathers and processes demanding information, develops innovative solutions and contributes by representing topics/approaches in internal working groups/teams.
• Collaboration and Partnership: Demonstrates proficient initiative and abilities to collaborate and partner with others in own are, and across teams. Identifies, develops, builds and actively promotes partnerships and collaboration, maintaining long-lasting partnerships.
• Lead and Empower: Demonstrates initiative and role model behaviour in leading and empowering others. Takes responsibility for own work activities and personal actions and carries out the commitments agreed upon
• Political and diplomatic understanding: Has a proficient level of political and diplomatic understanding.
• Communicating information: Has expert skills in communicating information and uses the skills effectively in own scope of work and in others’ work.
• Research and Analytics: Has proficient skills in research and analytics and uses the skills effectively in own scope of work.
• Project Management: Has proficient skills in project management - plans and organises their own work using project management approaches in support of achieving the team’s objectives.
• Client Orientation/Striving for Excellence: Has proficient skills in client orientation and achieving excellency in work delivery.

Our Values

Please refer to our core values as defined here: https://www.seforall.org/who-we-are/staff/our-values.

Salary information

SEforALL has adopted its own salary scales corresponding to the SEforALL grading system. The minimum yearly salary for this position is EUR 52,370. The actual salary offer will be determined within the scale depending on the successful candidate’s qualification and experience, and applying the principle of internal equity. In addition to the base salary, SEforALL staff receive a benefits package that includes contribution to pension, contribution to health insurance & homeworking allowance.

Additional Considerations

• 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, Washington DC and New York City, and flexibility and result orientated modern workplace arrangements.
• Qualified female candidates and candidates from developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• SEforALL reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.

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