Energy Analyst (Open to all applicants)

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The European Union Delegation (EUD) in Lesotho, in partnership with the Government of Lesotho, is implementing the Renewable Lesotho programme aimed at contributing to a green and resilient economy by promoting energy security, access to reliable and affordable clean energy, and growth. The Renewable Lesotho aims to increase renewable energy generation capacity and energy efficiency, promote a more equitable and gender-transformative access to clean energy, and improve Lesotho’s energy sector leadership and institutional capacity. This will be achieved through the implementation of the following programme components:

• Component 1: Market preparation through provision of technical assistance and mobilisation of private investments in renewable energies.
• Component 2: Granting Facility to provide results-based financing for off-grid energy solutions.
• Component 3: Lending Facility to provide financial support to project development.

The EUD is collaborating with different development partners to implement the mentioned progamme components. Component 2 of the Renewable Lesotho programme will be implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry responsible for energy. This component has a specific objective aiming at promoting a more equitable and gender-transformative access to clean energy to be achieved through the following four outputs:

• Output 2.1: Establishment and operationalisation of the Results-Based Finance (RBF) funding mechanism.
• Output 2.2: Improved energy access window providing energy-efficient solutions for households.
• Output 2.3: Establishment of an energy application window to provide public service, commercial, and industrial facilities with renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions.

Output 2.4: Effective and efficient programme management.

• Provide technical input into the project planning process and ensure the work plan and a fully costed budget are prepared based on sound capacity assessments and in accordance with UNDP POPP/PPM Guidelines. Support coordination/management of the day-to-day activities of the assigned portfolio and the overall implementation process, including planning and monitoring, in order to optimise the use of resources and to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives and results specified in the project document. Provide subject matter technical advice and support and ensure outputs are delivered on time, within the set budget and specified constraints, and to high-quality standards;

Support RBF management with implementation activities to ensure alignment with UNDP policy and programme management procedures and all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective/gender equality mainstreaming to the extent local context allows;

Facilitate participatory engagement of stakeholders on project-related activities and priorities.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and participation of key stakeholders in the assigned portfolio;
• Develop and maintain stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify stakeholder needs and how best to leverage their participation and/or strengthen their engagement. Prepare substantive briefs on potential areas of cooperation and joint initiatives. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies;
• Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners;

Support resource mobilisation efforts and project development;

• Act as a liaison between stakeholders from various institutions, including line Ministries, the private sector, NGOs and academia;
• Identify opportunities for synergies with other developmental activities/projects currently ongoing and clearly highlight the areas for collaboration.
• Support implementation of M&E for RBF, including the development of clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting;
• Monitor implementation and progress in achieving goals and targets in accordance with the established quality criteria and UNDP rules, regulations, and standards. Identify, analyse, and take adequate measures to manage emerging issues, problems, and risks. Conduct verification of set milestones for RBF facility-supported activities and field visits to project location sites;
• Provide input to management and technical reports and support preparation of corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and EU requirements;
• Keep a record of all interactions conducted with various stakeholders and provide a summary report to the RBF manager on a monthly basis.
• 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;
• Facilitate awareness raising and public campaigns, including the use of both local and social media;
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support the establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for the 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.

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience

Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships
• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics Engineering or a relevant related field is required, or

• Applicants with Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in off-grid renewable energy initiatives/development contexts.
• Experience/Solid knowledge of result-based management and project implementation;
• Experience/Good understanding of the national energy sector development;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and working knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, as well as experience in the handling of web-based management systems.
• Good networking abilities and partnership development;

Experience working directly with off-grid energy solutions/technologies. in rural areas;

• Experience providing advisory services in the development and delivery of off-grid energy solutions, and/or leading and managing energy projects;

Working proficiency in English Sesotho and is required.

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.

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.

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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