Programme Officer, Sustainable Energy (ISSP - Abia, Uyo, Jos/Lafia)

Volunteering Environment Programme & Policy

Overview

Support implementation of clean energy and energy-for-development priorities across ISSP states.

You have:

• Proven knowledge of energy systems and technologies (e.g., renewable energy, energy efficiency, off-grid systems, electrification planning).
• Strong capability in energy data analysis and modelling (using Excel, Python, R, or specialized tools like HOMER, LEAP, SAM, or similar).
• Understanding of climate finance mechanisms, blended finance, and project structuring for energy investments.
• Experience conducting policy analysis or supporting the design of energy plans, regulatory frameworks, or energy strategies.
• Excellent skills in preparing technical reports, investment briefs, and stakeholder presentations.
• Knowledge of national or regional energy policies and plans, especially related to NDCs or SDGs.
• Experience with stakeholder engagement, particularly with private sector actors, utilities, financial institutions, or local governments.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

UNDP’s Climate Resilience, Energy Access, and Just Transition (CREATE) Portfolio aims to transform Nigeria’s development trajectory by building resilience to climate shocks, expanding access to affordable and clean energy, and accelerating a just and inclusive green economy transition. Aligned with Nigeria’s National Development Plan (2021–2025), Energy Transition Plan (ETP), Climate Change Act, and Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy, this integrated portfolio contributes directly to the government’s priorities for economic diversification, energy security, and sustainable development.

By scaling up proven models and leveraging catalytic public and private investments, CREATE will drive inclusive economic growth, unlock green jobs, and support structural transformation – especially in climate-vulnerable and underserved communities. Flagship initiatives include the Nigeria Integrated Clean Energy (NICE) Portfolio, which is one of the main pillars of UNDP’s Integrated Smart States Programme (ISSP) with the primary objective to support the Federal Government and State Governments of Nigeria in creating a transformative policy and financing environment for public and private sector engagement in Nigeria's Energy Sector for improved access to sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy, in line with the Government’s vision 30:30:30 that seeks to achieve Net Zero by 2060, with a short-term target of attaining at least 30 GW of grid energy supply, 30% of which is renewable by 2030. Key interventions include, capacity development for implementation of energy reform, investment mobilisation for energy transformation, and deploying renewable energy mini grids and decentralized clean energy systems for social services, and productive use - particularly in industry, agriculture and rural enterprise development, thereby im-proving livelihoods, food security, and value chain competitiveness.

UNDP will support the Federal Government in implementing Nigeria’s revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), while strengthening national systems for monitoring, reporting, verification (MRV) and climate finance mobilization. CREATE will work with the Government and development partners to attract and de-risk investments aligned with Nigeria’s obligations under the Paris Agreement, Montreal Protocol, Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Sendai Framework.

A strong focus will be placed on de-risking and incentivizing private sector investment in renewable energy and climate adaptation solutions, in line with the Government’s green industrialization, rural development, and just transition priorities.

To address climate-related drivers of conflict and vulnerability, CREATE will deploy climate-smart technologies and conflict-sensitive approaches, linking environmental sustain-ability with peacebuilding and human security outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on community well-being, sustainable land use, and nature-based solutions that preserve eco-systems and strengthen resilience at scale. This UN Volunteer assignment supports the implementation of clean energy and energy-for-development priorities across ISSP states, with a focus on translating national energy strategies and financing frameworks into state-level delivery, bankable pipelines, and measurable impact.

Under the technical supervision of the Technical Specialist – Climate and Energy Fi-nance (Energy Lead), and day-to-day coordination with ISSP Portfolio Analysts at state level, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following responsibilities:

1. Energy Programme Planning and Implementation Support • Support the planning, sequencing, and implementation of clean energy interventions under the ISSP, including solarisation of health facilities, productive-use energy for MSMEs and markets, mini-grids, and energy solutions for youth and innovation infrastructure. • Provide programme-level support for translating national energy frameworks (Electricity Act, Energy Transition Plan) into state-specific implementation pathways. • Support preparation of energy-related concept notes, programme descriptions, technical briefs, and implementation plans for ISSP states. • Assist in coordinating delivery missions, technical assessments, feasibility diagnostics, and pilot interventions across multiple states. • Support alignment of energy activities with State Development Plans, Medium-Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEFs), and annual budgets.

2. Monitoring, Reporting, and Adaptive Delivery • Support monitoring of energy-related portfolio performance across ISSP states, tracking progress, risks, bottlenecks, and emerging opportunities. • Contribute to the preparation of dashboards, progress updates, management briefs, and learning notes related to energy interventions. • Support results-based management (RBM) and compliance with UNDP monitoring, safeguards, and reporting standards. • Assist in documenting lessons learned and adaptive solutions to inform scaling and replication across states.

3. Knowledge Management, Learning, and Communication • Generate data-driven insights to inform energy finance strategies, investment pipelines, cost-benefit analysis, and risk profiling of clean energy interventions. • Prepare concise technical briefs, investment profiles, and advisory notes on renewable energy, energy efficiency, decentralized systems, and off-grid solutions. • Support scenario analysis and modelling to demonstrate the socio-economic, inclusion, and resilience impacts of clean energy solutions. • Maintain and contribute to energy datasets, dashboards, and internal analytical and performance-tracking tools. • Support systematic documentation of good practices, case studies, and lessons learned from ISSP energy interventions. • Contribute to communication and visibility products (briefs, presentations, factsheets, success stories) in line with UNDP guidelines. • Support learning exchanges, delivery labs, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing across ISSP states on energy solutions and models. • Contribute analytical inputs to policy-relevant knowledge products informing national and state-level energy dialogue.
4. Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation Support • Provide analytical and contextual inputs to partnership development efforts with State Governments, REA, DFIs, private sector actors, and development partners. • Support preparation of donor briefs, investment notes, and background materials for energy-related financing and co-investment opportunities. • Assist in organizing or supporting investment forums, state-to-state dialogues, and technical working groups related to energy under ISSP. • Support coordination with national platforms such as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Rural Electrification Fund (REF), and other partners aligned with the NICE Offer.
5. Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement • Facilitate liaison between State level ISSP implementation and thematic portfolio leads and team in the Abuja head office and other regional and field offices to ensure coherence across the integrated Country Office Portfolios. • Facilitate coordination with MDAs and partners to ensure coherence and information flow. • Assist ISSP Portfolio Analyst at state level with technical backstopping on energy-related components.

☐ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Creativity ☒ Integrity ☒ Professionalism ☒ Working in Teams

• Skills and experience: Proven knowledge of energy systems and technologies (e.g., re-newable energy, energy efficiency, off-grid systems, electrification planning). • Strong capability in energy data analysis and modelling (using Excel, Python, R, or spe-cialized tools like HOMER, LEAP, SAM, or similar). • Familiarity with energy access metrics, cost-benefit analysis, and investment appraisal techniques. • Understanding of climate finance mechanisms, blended finance, and project structuring for energy investments. • Experience conducting policy analysis or supporting the design of energy plans, regula-tory frameworks, or energy strategies. • Excellent skills in preparing technical reports, investment briefs, and stakeholder presen-tations. • Assets: • Knowledge of national or regional energy policies and plans, especially related to NDCs or SDGs. • Experience with stakeholder engagement, particularly with private sector actors, utilities, financial institutions, or local governments. • Familiarity with development partner operations, climate funds (e.g., GCF, SEFA, GEF), or UNDP’s programming approach

The assignment will take place in the Abia – Umuahia, Akwa Ibom – Uyo, Anambra – Awka, Plateau – Jos, Nasarawa - Lafia and other key states implementing the ISSP programme in Nigeria.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: unv.org