Background Information - Job-specific
UNOPS hosts Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Secretariat/Programme in Vienna, Austria. Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an independent organization with a global mandate to accelerate progress on the energy transition in emerging and developing countries. We work at the intersection of energy, climate, and development. We collaborate with governments and partners worldwide to end energy poverty, accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions, and combat climate change.
Our vision is a world where everyone, everywhere, can lead a dignified life on a healthy planet, powered by sustainable energy. We promote this vision by pushing for higher ambitions, stronger policies, greater finance flows, increased localization and green jobs, and faster results toward an energy transition that leaves no one behind.
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Since then, our CEO has served as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy.
SEforALL engages with and provides support to major global coalitions and fora, including those of the G20 and the UNFCCC COP processes, to advocate for greater commitment to a just and equitable clean energy development and guide strategies for international cooperation.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Under the supervision and overall direction of the Chief of Staff and Director of External Programmes, the Head of International Engagement will work in close collaboration with the Executive Office to enable a higher responsiveness to global negotiation processes. In this sense, the role will focus on providing support to Presidencies of international convenings to keep SDG7 related topics at the heart of the Presidential priorities; while also working with partner country governments to engage productively in negotiation processes. The Head of International Engagement will also play a key role in facilitating action-oriented partnerships with development finance institutions, development partners, international organizations, NGOs, CSOs and the private sector.
Functional Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Opportunities Identification
Identify strategic opportunities throughout the year, positioning SEforALL as a key catalyst in large, high-impact, and multi-stakeholder initiatives aimed at achieving SDG7 targets.
Assess and prioritize using sound judgment competing priorities for the organization with regards to emerging programs and new opportunities, to determine their strategic value for the organization.
International Engagement and Diplomacy
Lead the development of a strategy to engage with specific international cooperation forums like G20, UNFCCC COP, etc โ ensuring clear objectives and impactful means of engagement.
Spearhead SEforALLโs offer of support to Presidencies and interest groups to drive the advancement of the global energy transition agenda with a specific focus on needs and priorities of developing countries.
Develop strategic messaging for the CEO and senior leadership, in their engagement with high-level partners and stakeholders at high-level events.
Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
Provide quality control and contribute intellectual leadership in the management of partnerships, country engagements, and special projects, ensuring that SEforALLโs initiatives are strategically positioned.
Contribute to all necessary Resource Mobilization efforts, providing contributions to concept notes, proposals, presentations, and engaging in out-reach to potential funders to secure critical support for SEforALLโs mission.
Strategic Communications
Prepare high-quality and nuanced strategic documents and written outputs such as papers, strategic documents, concept notes, aimed to influence decisions of key partners and senior leaders in partner organizations.
Education/Experience/Language requirementsa. Education
Masterโs Degree in Energy, Climate Change, Economics, International Relations, Public Policy, Law or related field is required. A Bachelorโs degree paired with 2 additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu.
b. Work Experience & Language Requirements
Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in energy, climate change and international diplomacy, including access to electricity or energy or climate linked negotiations is required.
Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing international engagement strategies, including opportunities identification is required.
Direct experience working with developing countries is desirable.
c. Language
Fluency in English is required.
Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.
CompetenciesDevelops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: International Individual Contract (IICA)
Contract level: ICS 11 /IICA 3
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA โ Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.