Background
UNDP is the United Nations’ lead agency on international development. We support countries and communities as they work to eradicate poverty, implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We advocate for transformative change, and we connect countries to the resources they need to help people build a better life. Additionally, UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
The UNDP Rome Centre for Climate and Energy (the “UNDP Rome Centre”) is the key platform for the strategic engagement between UNDP and the Italian Government. It focuses on the critical policy areas of climate finance, youth engagement in climate action, and energy for development. These objectives are pursued through the effective implementation of its three main programmes:
• The Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance (PISTA)
• Youth4Climate
• Energy For Growth
The Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance (PISTA) is a climate finance mobilization facility based at the UNDP Rome Centre. Its overarching objective is to narrow the gap between the climate finance available and what is needed in developing economies, thus supporting their decarbonization efforts and transition to climate-resilient economies. PISTA provides technical assistance grants to prepare large, impactful climate change mitigation and adaptation Projects in developing economies and make them bankable and ready for investment. PISTA further connects such projects with interested financiers and aims to unlock blended finance from national and international financing instruments.
Over 2024, PISTA selected 16 projects across 18 African countries through an internal call for applications to use PISTA’s resources to implement interventions across two categories: midstream – referring to activities that support the preparation / readiness of projects to make them bankable and ready for investment; and downstream – referring to activities such as but not limited to mobilizing financing by enabling connections with financiers. The projects target climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation across themes such as clean energy, climate resilient agriculture, sustainable financial services, etc.
Youth4Climate promotes youth engagement in climate action, contributing to SDG13. Youth4Climate supports the implementation of youth-led and youth-inclusive solutions to environmental and climate challenges, both financially and through capacity development. It also gives young people around the world who are committed to fighting climate change a platform to engage with policymakers and global leaders.
Energy For Growth (“E4G”) aims to promote access to sustainable energy in developing countries, contributing to SDG7. The goal of the initiative is to assist partner countries in unlocking finance to scale up the diffusion of clean energy solutions, increase access to energy and boost the energy transition. E4G aims to foster the mobilization of public and private capital toward projects aligned with the international policy agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. It does so by connecting UNDP's capacity and connections in emerging economies and developing countries with the public-private ecosystem of Italy and other G7 countries, in the crucial sector of energy.
Duties and Responsibilities
Provision of Program and Strategy Support
• Support the PISTA Team Lead and work with the PISTA team in the continuous development and operationalization of the Platform
• Act as technical focal point for interactions with the Adaptation Accelerator Hub on relevant topics, collaborating with country teams and global thematic leads on adaptation topics and thematic windows (e.g. climate-resilient infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, etc)
• Support in the implementation of the projects selected as part of the first Call for Applications
• Assist with operational and administrative activities associated with PISTA’s strategic objectives
• Based on lessons learnt, support in the development of future project origination modalities including the second round of Call for Applications
Support Project Scoping and Selection
• Collaborate with project origination teams to assess financial, climate and sustainability aspects of identified projects
• Evaluate project eligibility based on defined criteria, including alignment with sustainable finance principles and climate objectives
• Collaborate with country teams and global thematic leads on adaptation topics and thematic windows (e.g. climate-resilient infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, etc)
• Collaborate with country teams and global thematic leads on green bonds and sustainable taxonomy frameworks
Ensure Design Intervention and Implementation
• For those projects selected by PISTA, develop or support the development of work plans for approved interventions, ensuring alignment with project objectives and PISTA guidelines
• Provide technical guidance and support to project implementation teams, in particular for what concerns climate adaptation (e.g. climate-resilient infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, etc)
• Support project implementation teams, in particular for what concerns thematic bonds and green taxonomies
• Oversee the quality of deliverables produced during project implementation (reports, studies, etc.)
• Maintain clear communication with stakeholders, including government counterparts, relevant experts, UNDP country offices, and the respective JWG, providing regular updates and progress reports
• Monitor progress against timelines and budgets, identifying and mitigating potential risks and issues for assigned projects
Provision of Advisory Services to Projects and Country Teams
• Act as the PISTA focal point for applicants of the PISTA calls for applications
• Duties will include being the point of contact for UNDP Country Offices in Africa and beyond to advise them on the PISTA application procedures, responding to any questions on the application and/or the programme as a whole
• Liaise between the UNDP Country Offices and different UNDP teams (Operations, Social and Environmental Standards, Gender, Due Diligence, etc.) as needs arise.
• Prepare the necessary project materials and coordinate closely with other members of the PISTA team to engage with potential financiers as part of PISTA’s downstream intervention support.
Promote Donor Engagement, Partnership and Relationship Management Assistance
• Assist with donor engagement and relationship management activities as required, including with financial institutions.
• Duties may include the timely publication and dissemination of reports against PISTA milestones and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Facilitate Knowledge Sharing, Monitoring and Evaluation
• Monitor activities to track progress, results, and identify areas for improvement for assigned projects
• Report on project effectiveness and impact, contribute to the development of the PISTA's annual report by providing data and insights on performance of projects under your responsibility
• Contribute to knowledge sharing initiatives within the PISTA team and with UNDP Country Offices
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 incumbent will be office-based;
• The incumbent will report to the UNDP Rome Centre - PISTA Team Lead.
• The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment.
• International mission travel may be required.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
• Business Management: Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Business Management: Portfolio Management Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
• Finance: Development Finance Expertise. Ability to develop and work with innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g. social/development impact bonds,
guarantees, climate finance, etc.
• 2030 Agenda: Partnerships: SDG Finance Blended Finance for the SDGs
• Business Management: Communication 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 manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Min. Academic Education Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, International Development, Engineering or related disciplines is required. or
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned areas in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Education:
• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of French will be considered as an asset
Required Experience:
• Proven track record on project advisory operations and on implementation or oversight of Technical Assistance activities, all related to the climate and the energy space
• Experience in demonstrating presentation, research and writing skills in the development finance, climate and/or energy space is required.
• Demonstrated experience working with emerging economies and developing countries, particularly in Africa is required.
Desired additional skills and competencies
• At least one year of experience at a professional level working on climate finance or sustainable finance in an international organization or an international financial institution (e.g. UN agencies, World Bank Group, African Development Bank, etc) is a strong asset.
• Proven experience (at academic or professional level) with green bonds and green taxonomies AND/OR with climate adaptation initiatives (e.g. climate-resilient infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, etc) is a strong asset.
• Knowledge of internationally recognized Social and Environmental Standards (SES) frameworks, as well as Gender standards, is considered an advantage.
• Experience in engaging with country offices private sector stakeholders in Africa will be 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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