Job Description
Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The UNDP Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme:
The UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) JPO Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world. As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionals excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development while providing a valuable entry point into the UN system.
During their assignments, JPOs benefit from the guidance of experienced UNDP staff members and are actively involved in supporting the design and implementation of UNDP’s programs within UNDP’s headquarters, regional or country offices. Additionally, the JPO will undergo a journey of exposure and growth which will build both personal and professional capacity for a career within the multilateral development sector.
As a JPO and young professional in UNDP you should be interested in pursuing a global career with aspiration to work for a field-based organization in support of the development agenda.
The JPO will work as part of a team and be supervised by an experienced multidisciplinary UNDP team, including:
- Structured guidance and feedback, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing of responsibilities
- Establishment of a work plan, professional goals, with clear key results and indicators
- Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise
- Completion of the yearly UNDP Annual Performance Review (APR) including learning and development objectives
The JPO will benefit from the following learning and development opportunities:
- Participation in a virtual Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first 4 to 6 months of assignment
- Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide
- On-going Masterclasses on relevant and inspiring themes
- Career development support mechanisms and activities
- Networking with fellow JPOs, young professionals and senior UNDP colleagues
- Mentoring programme
- Other training and learning opportunities
Organizational Context:
The overall objective of UNDP’s Moldova work under Environment, Energy and Climate Change (EECC) Portfolio aims to contribute towards progress in achieving that the people of Moldova, in particular the most vulnerable, benefit from enhanced environmental governance, energy security, sustainable management of natural resources, and climate and disaster resilient development. In Moldova, UNDP is the leading development partner in the area of environment, climate change and energy, well-positioned to provide sector-relevant knowledge, policy advice, and innovative solutions, as well as private sector engagement. In doing so, UNDP contributes to strengthening institutional capacities of relevant central and local public institutions for an enhanced environment, climate change and energy governance, improving policy and legal frameworks to create a sound enabling environment facilitating sector-related reforms, promote awareness and education among the key institutions and stakeholders, demonstrate and put in place on-the-ground solutions addressing the most pressing environment, climate change, energy, disaster risk reduction and other issues. UNDP also contributes to establishing the necessary enabling conditions to pursue the required transformational changes in line with the EU Green Deal and to advancing the overall green transformation of Moldova. The later has become even more relevant lately given that as a neighbouring country highly dependent on gas imports, Moldova has been particularly affected by the war in Ukraine and the consequences of it. Energy poverty and vulnerability, the need to diversify its energy portfolio and move beyond non-renewables are now key priorities for the country. In this context, Moldova has established an Energy Vulnerability Fund, to compensate energy poor and vulnerable households, and improve energy efficiency measures and is moving towards establishment of the Energy Efficiency Residential Fund enabling access to climate and energy finance.
Against this background, UNDP Moldova is looking to strengthen its capacities to support expansion of the portfolio in the area of green transition, through resource mobilisation, programme development and oversight functions. The JPO will work under supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative and in close collaboration with the relevant staff of the UNDP Country Office in Moldova (EECC Cluster Lead and Programme Analyst, EECC Programme Associate, Policy Specialist, Partnership Specialist, etc.). At the same time, she/he will assist UNDP CO in its further positioning in the green development and energy/climate change areas, taking into consideration the rapidly changing regional context and the emerging funding opportunities. She/he will be expected to cooperate and coordinate the assigned activities with UNDP’s key partners and beneficiaries, donors and international organizations, and other relevant stakeholders in the areas of energy and climate mitigation.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Strategic management, guidance and implementation oversight of energy and climate change projects and initiatives within the EECC Portfolio
- Support in the implementation of the EU funded project “Addressing the impacts of energy crisis and initiating solutions toward energy security and energy poverty”, it will include participation in the recruitment of the project team process, support to recruitment of the targeted expertise within the project, Board meetings, delivering of ATLAS procedures, participation in project coordination meetings with beneficiaries and other development partners.
- Backstopping management support for the EU4Climate Project and for the preparation phase of the IKI PPG “Improving the energy efficiency of the global building supply chain industry and its products to deliver high performance buildings
- Support the delivery of technical advice for other CO projects covering the sustainable energy and climate change areas, including through the provision of project teams’ capacity building, coaching the project implementation team and provide suggestions for its capacity improvement.
- Analysis and adjustment of management and implementation oversight processes for greater effectiveness and efficiency of energy projects, as well as their timely delivery.
- Identify any possible bottlenecks/weaknesses in the energy projects implementation setup and propose solutions to RR/DRR.
- Temporary backstopping of relevant EECC projects (budget delivery monitoring, RBM tools, etc.).
2. Strengthen the UNDP CO positioning and representation in the green development area.
- Conduct research and analysis supporting the formulation of the green transition project proposal;
- Suggest green transition related entry points/ feasible project ideas under EECC Program offer for next CPD cycle and based on 2021 ICPE recommendations that will contribute to expansion of the UNDP EECC portfolio considering the comparative advantage of UNDP in Moldova;
- Prepare briefing notes and speeches for RR/DRR
- Provide substantive inputs for advocating the UNDP involvement in the green transition area and delivering those in various national fora, including Government, academia and civil society, with a view to enhance UNDP’s visibility in supporting the energy area.
- Support UNDP’s engagement in UN interagency coordination in the environment and energy areas by drafting briefing, preparing for and participating in RCO organized meetings;
- Relationship building and strengthening strategic partnerships with relevant donors and stakeholders involved in national environment and energy field (e.g. IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society, etc.) through proactive communications, dialogue and information sharing.
3. Knowledge management
- Share knowledge in the UNDP and its multidisciplinary teams
- Support in the codifying the cumulated knowledge
- Actively learn and benefit from the existing and emerging learning opportunities inside UNDP
Competencies
Achieve Results
Think Innovatively
Learn Continuously
Adapt with Agility
Act with Determination
Engage and Partner
Enable Diversity and Inclusion
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s Degree or equivalent Advanced Degree in a related field of expertise, such as political sciences, international relations, public administration, energy, sustainable development, environment management, economics or other field relevant to the assignment.
Experience:
- A minimum of two years of professional working experience in a relevant field at the national or international level in policy-level analysis, design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, in the general field of environmental and sustainably energy and climate change and/or sustainable development.
- Skills and experience in programme and results based management; hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, particularly in the energy, climate related or environment areas.
- Experience within an international multi-cultural organization, preferably within the UN system, would be an asset.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems
Language:
- Fluency in spoken and written English (required); knowledge of the language spoken in the duty station (Romanian and/or Russian) is considered an asset, but not a requirement.
Nationality:
Under the UNDP JPO programme framework, the following position is open only to Danish nationals. The applicant must be fluent in both Danish and English. For the full requirements and information about the JPO Programme, please visit: https://www.jposc.undp.org/content/jposc/en/home/how-to-apply.html
Attachments:
- A brief motivation letter in English that explains why you’re the perfect candidate for the position by using examples of your interests and achievements
- Copy of your passport
- Copy of your Master degree
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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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