Renewable Energy Specialist

Mission and objectivesThe UNDP Sierra Leone Country Office was established in 1978 and has over the years grown to a total staff strength of over 140 and with an average annual delivery of USD 25 million. UNDP Sierra Leone is a leader of transformative development, advancing innovation, resilience, and inclusive governance in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2025–2030) and Sierra Leone’s vision of becoming an inclusive, green middle-income country by 2039. Through its two strategic pillars—People-Centered Sustainable Development & Resilience and Inclusive Governance, Peace & Prosperity—UNDP supports climate resilience, renewable energy, sustainable livelihoods, and economic growth while promoting democratic institutions, justice, and peacebuilding. With a strong focus on gender equity, youth empowerment, and data-driven innovation, UNDP partners with government, civil society, and the private sector to deliver sustainable impact across sectors. As a trusted development partner, UNDP leverages strategic financing, research, and technology to advance human development and social inclusion nationwide.

ContextSierra Leone's energy sector faces significant challenges, including limited electricity access, a heavy reliance on traditional biomass, and underdeveloped infrastructure. However, recent initiatives and investments are driving progress toward a more sustainable and widespread energy system. In 2024 energy access rate is currently at 36% of the country’s population, with rural areas experiencing even lower access at 4.9% . The generation capacity is less than 150 megawatts (MW), serving just over 270,000 customers across the country. The national distribution network is primarily limited to Freetown and surrounding areas, covering about 40% of residents . Approximately 80% of the energy consumed in Sierra Leone is derived from traditional biomass sources, such as fuelwood and charcoal, leading to health and environmental concerns. In addition, the imported petroleum products account for around 13% of energy consumption, primarily used for power generation and transportation . One of the key focus areas for UNDP Sierra Leone Country Office is to improve energy access and transition, including green energy, biomass energy, and energy efficiency, to reduce energy poverty and support rural and urban utilization. In this vein, UNDP Sierra Leone, through the People-centred Sustainable Development and Resilience Portfolio, is supporting the Government of Sierra Leone's efforts, working with other partners to promote just energy transition. The Sierra Leone UNDP Country Office is seeking the services of an experienced and competent Renewable Energy Specialist. The Renewable Energy Specialist will be based at the Ministry of Energy and will work closely with the UNDP focal point overseeing all energy projects supported by UNDP. He/she will report to the designated Director in the Ministry of Energy and will have matrix reporting to the Team Leader of People-centred Sustainable Development and Resilience Portfolio at UNDP.

Task DescriptionSummary of key functions: • Designing and advising on community-based renewable energy solutions that improve access to affordable, clean energy for vulnerable populations, especially women and youth. • Supporting the integration of renewable energy into UNDP’s existing development programs, including, education, youth and women’s empowerment, to enhance climate resilience. • Coordinating with local and international partners, government agencies to design proposals and mobilize resources from donors for energy projects/initiatives and ensure alignment with national energy and climate strategies through Sierra Leone’s Energy Transition and Green Growth Plan. • Promoting UNDP’s vision on renewable energy with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies. • Provide technical guidance and support on development of Bill of Quantities for specific renewable energy technologies, such as solar PV, wind power, or geothermal energy. • Building local capacity through training and mentorship of community energy technicians, cooperatives, and project staff to sustain renewable energy systems. • Monitoring and evaluating renewable energy initiatives, ensuring they meet technical standards, deliver social impact, and contribute to climate goals (SDG 7 & SDG 13), while adhering to the procedures, rules, and regulations of the UN. Results/Expected Outputs: The following are key results expected Outputs: a) Renewable energy initiatives/programmes designed and resources mobilization proposals developed. b) Renewable energy integrated into UNDP Sierra Leone’s existing development programs, including health, education, and women’s empowerment. c) Community-based renewable energy solutions designed and piloted d) Capacity building through training and mentorship of community energy technicians, cooperatives. e) Renewable energy initiatives effectively monitored, lessons, challenges and opportunities documented. The key results of the Renewable Energy Specialist have a major impact on the credibility and accountability of UNDP vis-a-vis its stakeholders, for its organizational performance, use of resources, and contribution to development results. The key results are also to foster a culture of accountability at UNDP. UNDP is to be a knowledge-driven organization, through organizational learning from evaluations that feed into decision-making and future planning, and interventions. Reports on evaluation findings enable external partners to make informed decisions regarding UNDP. • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring, and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • The Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. Impacts of Results The key results have an impact on the overall achievement of the project objectives by delivering the interventions for Sierra Leone UNDP Energy Programmes and projects in an efficient and effective way.

Competencies and valuesCorporate Competencies: • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards; • Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN; • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability; • Treats all people fairly without favouritism. Functional Competencies: • Development and Operational Effectiveness:\\ • Ability to support planning, results-based management, and reporting • Ability to support formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources; • Good knowledge of the Results Management Methods; • Strong IT skills. Management and Leadership: • Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback; • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive constructive attitude; • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills; • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors; • Remain calm, in control and good-humored even under pressure • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities. Knowledge Management and Learning • Promotes knowledge management in the UN and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example; • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on the learning plan, and applies newly acquired skills.

Living conditions and remarksFreetown is the capital city of Sierra Leone, situated on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. The country recently suffered a COVID-19 outbreak and economic shocks from the Russia-Ukraine. The country is, however, slowly recovering from these joint shocks of the Ebola Virus Disease and a collapse of world iron ore prices. Sierra Leone is generally safe, the security level is low, and the society is very religiously tolerant. Freetown is a family duty station. The cost of living for expatriates is generally fair, and there are good supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels available. There are good communication services, including mobile and internet services, available at a fair price. Local and regional banks deal in both local and foreign currencies. ATMs are available, and credit cards are accepted in some establishments. However, this is generally a cash economy. Freetown has a tropical climate, with very high rainfall in the rainy season. Sierra Leone boasts the finest beaches in West Africa, within easy reach of Freetown, with excellent seafood, surfing, and sunshine.