Renewable Green Energy Manager

The purpose of this post is to establish and develop UNDP’s portfolio in the focus area of renewable energy and to ensure the delivery of expected results from relevant projects and activities.

The overall objective of the portfolio is to support initiatives that promote renewable energy through demand and supply-side interventions, and to promote a more diverse energy mix that includes alternative and renewable sources of energy. Thereby Portfolio contributes to energy security, energy market development and sustainability of the whole energy sector, which are a key strategic priority of the Government of Serbia in economic development, combating climate change and addressing environmental pollution.

UNDP assists Serbia in achieving its strategic goal by enhancing its legal framework and institutional capacity at all levels, by promoting investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy generation, thereby improving the competitiveness of its economy, and offering opportunities for the highest energy savings and reduction of GHG emissions. Furthermore, UNDP is assisting efforts to tackle energy poverty and just green transition, as well as decarbonization and combating air pollution. Serbia's commitment to the sustainable energy sector directly corresponds to UN sustainable development goal no. 7: “Ensure access to affordable, and modern energy for all”, and is also reflected in the priority pathways of UNDP Country Program Document (CPD) for the period 2021-2025: (a) more accountable institutions and empowered citizens, (b) inclusive innovation for development and decent work opportunities and (c) strengthening resilience for current and future generations.

This assignment will be responsible for the further development of green  energy projects and management of the following areas and interventions within the Energy Portfolio:

RMF Slovak Aid “Potential of biogas production from bio-waste in urban and peri-urban regions”

• Support to Government of Serbia to comply with international obligations on climate change, energy efficiency, renewable energy and emission-reduction, as well to promote the transition to low-emission and climate-resilient development. Interventions will build mechanisms to protect the environment, ensure sustainable resource use and management, and mitigate the impacts of climate change on social, economic, and ecological systems.
• Components of various other UNDP projects and pipelines where renewable energy plays a strategic role.
• Enhancing awareness regarding environmental governance, rights and justice to further increase the demand for environmental services and sustainable energy policies.

There is a need to consolidate this work and respond to the expressed need of the Government and the Ministry of Mining and Energy, as well as to engage with the wider digital and innovation ecosystem and further steer the portfolio towards issues relating to the future of governance and technology.

Under the overall guidance of the Programme Specialist on Resilience Development, and in collaboration with the Programme Analyst, the incumbent shall provide ongoing policy advice to UNDP and partners, steers the Country Office’s work on green energy, and is responsible for the implementing projects in the Energy Portfolio. The Renewable Energy Manager ensures that projects deliver the results specified in the project documents, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. The Renewable Energy Manager supervises the team, contributing to a high-performance culture and creating opportunities for learning and development. Specific responsibilities will include:

Management of projects in accordance with UNDP Program and Operations Policies and Procedures and UNDP Serbia Standard Operating Procedures:

• Be responsible for the overall management and coordination of renewable projects in the energy portfolio so as to ensure expected project results are delivered timely, in accordance with the relevant Project Documents and the rules and procedures established in the UNDP Programming Manual.
• Manage the execution of the renewable energy projects by applying a client-oriented approach, consistent with donor requirements and UNDP rules and procedures.
• Provide leadership and assume primary responsibility for the daily management of renewable energy projects and activities, ensuring that operational procedures (HR, procurement, etc.) are undertaken in a timely and quality manner and adherence to the project’s work plan are ensured, revisions of work plans and budgets, if required are prepared adequately and in time;
• Ensure implementation of project activities, by working closely with project teams and other staff assigned to the projects. Supervise and manage the project staff. Build, motivate, and lead the project team;
• Prepare project work plans and present them to national project directors/project boards for review/approval;
• Support the work and decision-making of project boards by providing timely, detailed, and accurate information to the project board members. Prepare Project Board sessions to ensure minute-taking and information-sharing;
• Prepare, and agree with UNDP terms of reference for national and international consultants, subcontractors, and project personnel, ensure proper guidance of their work and towards high-quality deliverables by supervising and backstopping of their activities, the use of project funds and preparation of quality results;
• Assume overall responsibility for the meeting of financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans, reporting on project funds and related record keeping, monitoring of expenditures, commitments, and balance of funds under the portfolio project budget lines, drafting project budget revisions, and adequate liaising with project partners to ensure their co-financing contributions are provided within the agreed terms.
• Assume overall responsibility for reporting on project progress vis-à-vis indicators in the log frames and ensure timely preparation and top-quality of regular and ad-hoc project reports, and that monitoring and evaluation of the portfolio is conducted in accordance to donor requirements and UNDP rules and procedures;
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of projects, and maintain regular contact with UNDP Country Office and the National partners on project implementation issues of their respective competence;
• Assume overall responsibility for the proper handling of logistics related to project workshops and events.

Monitor projects progress, manage risks, report on progress and capture results and learnings: 

• Manage project finances, supported by the dedicated finance staff;
• Develop a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for tracking and evaluating progress against the agreed targets;
• Monitor expenditures of financial resources to ensure compliance with rules and procedures and accuracy and reliability of financial reports; ensure preparation of budget revisions as necessary; follow up with national project directors and the project boards on issues;
• Monitor the progress of projects so as to ensure alignment with project documents and preparation of regular updates and reports to project boards on progress, implementing issues, emerging risks/problems, and proposals for necessary remedial actions;
• Collect and manage project data as required by the M&E Plan;
• Manage project risks; inform project boards on emerging issues and risks, update the issue and risk status’
• Support the preparation of reviews and evaluations as defined in the project documents;
• Prepare final project reports and papers;
• Approve good quality Terms of Reference for engagement of consultants and companies;
• Approve consultants’ deliverables and analysis in line with the UNDP rules on contract management and standards of good practice;
• Coordinate activities with other projects in the resilience development cluster, ensuring overall coherence with shared objectives.

Networking, partner relations, resource mobilization, and provision of policy advice on relevant policy themes:

• Identify and analyze emerging developments and innovations in the energy and transport sectors globally (electric vehicles, energy storage, grid integration, etc.) and providing recommendations on potential adaptive strategies for energy transition, and green growth. Maintain regular communication and effective cooperation and coordination with national counterparts, donor representatives, project partners and other relevant stakeholders;
• Provide policy and technical advice on key issues in the area of green  energy sector in Serbia to relevant government institutions and partners; Actively identify and mobilize new partnerships and funding sources (resource mobilization) for new projects and initiatives, ensure blending of finance;
• Collaborate on vertical funds (Global Environment Facility and Green Climate Fund)
• Provide support to Programme Analyst and Programme Specialist for Resilience Development in the design of new pipeline initiatives primarily under the renewable energy themes, in line with the Country Program Document and in agreement with Senior Management; 
• Assist in engaging the government in constructive dialogue on the achievement of outcomes beyond the specific outputs of the UNDP Projects.
• Contribute to knowledge management and the promotion of UNDP’s KM strategy and re-enforced focus on “UNDP as a knowledge-driven organization”, by contributing to UNDP practice networks (posting queries and contributing with comparative experiences and lessons learnt) and other means, as adequate.
• Provide regular, informal information about UN(DP) pipeline developments to relevant government and donor representatives as well as other key stakeholders.
• Contribute to visibility of projects and results to relevant national and international stakeholders and audiences.
• Support development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, and civil society organizations in the specific thematic areas of the portfolio.
• Liaise with local stakeholders to identify opportunities and where UNDP can add value including implementation of loans and financing opportunities;
• Analyze and research information about donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify, and communicate opportunities for initiation of new projects in the relevant areas of the portfolio.
• Performs other duties as required by the supervisor.

Provide quality assurance for projects results and deliverables, and ensure these results are duly communicated:

• Review from a quality assurance perspective all projects outputs/products/deliverables
• Ensure the projects have the required communication package and proactively prepare information and communication materials sharing insights and results with various partners and audiences
• Assume responsibilities in line with the Internal Control Framework and act as a `first authority` for project transactions

Team management:

• Develop and support individual growth and professional development, and facilitate team learning and knowledge sharing.

Institutional Arrangement

Renewable Energy Manager will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist on Resilience Development. 

• 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

People Management Competencies

• Master’s degree or equivalent in organizational, social, technical, or environmental sciences.
• Bachelor's degree with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree. 

• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in project management/ coordination position, preferably in international/multilateral development context, in coordinating/managing renewable energy, environmental, energy, or climate change-related projects. 
• Experience in areas of work related to the development of sectoral and programming policies and planning and institutional capacity building, with increasing responsibilities, preferably in areas related to energy, environment, or climate change.
• Experience in managing teams and complex projects/processes that included extensive communication, coordination, and facilitation requirements will be an asset.
• Experience in partnership building at the international, national, regional and local levels will be an asset.
• Previous experience in governmental, international or non-governmental settings will be an asset.

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge of Serbian (written and spoken) is required. 
• Working knowledge of English is required. 

Skills:

• Strong organization development/management experience and proven ability to manage people;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas verbally and in writing;
• Proven ability to communicate with high level government officials;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism
• Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of project work.
• Establishes lasting relationships and substantive dialogue with clients.
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of UNDP rules and procedures and/or the Prince2 methodology for project management is an asset;
• Excellent understanding of Serbia's political, institutional, and socio- economic situation;
• Proven leadership skills, ability to organize and motivate team, deliver when working under pressure and within changing circumstances.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
3. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Special consideration

As this position is under National Personnel Services Agreement (NPSA) modality, only applicants with Serbian nationality or valid working permit in Serbia will be considered for the vacancy.