Energy Finance Specialist [Open to all applicants]

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)  
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts 
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading UN organization advancing sustainable development globally and in Ethiopia. As a key integrator within the UN system, UNDP plays a central role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP operates at global, regional, and country levels, combining international expertise with local knowledge to deliver practical solutions and impactful advocacy. 

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) have the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts. 

As per UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2026-2029, four strategic objectives – prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience and healthy planet – define the organization’s strategic direction, powered by three accelerators: digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation; gender equality; and sustainable finance.

The central purpose of the Rome Centre is to ensure the effective implementation and further development of the strategic partnership between UNDP and the government of Italy across the objectives of sustainable development and in doing so advancing the broader partnership between UNDP and G7 and G20 countries.

The Rome Centre focuses on the critical policy areas of youth engagement in climate action, energy for development and climate finance.

At the core of UNDP’s work is the Global Policy Network (GPN), which mobilises world-class technical expertise to support six signature solutions: energy, poverty alleviation, democratic governance, resilience, environmental sustainability, and gender equality. These solutions are aligned to foster structural transformation, promote inclusion, and build resilience in Ethiopia and beyond.

Energy is a critical enabler of most countries’ development agenda and is one of UNDP’s flagship areas of intervention. UNDP’s energy work aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), focusing on:

• Expanding access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
• Improving energy efficiency across sectors.
• Increasing the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix.

In Ethiopia, the government has set bold energy access and transition goals, including through Mission 300, which aims for universal electricity access by 2030, with a target of 65% on-grid and 35% off-grid connections. Achieving these ambitions will require substantial and sustained investment, robust planning, and strengthened public-private collaboration. 

A key initiative supporting this agenda is "Energy for Growth in Africa", which aims to identify and support clean energy projects across the continent that face difficulties accessing finance. The initiative, launched in the context of the Italian G7 Presidency and promoted by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) in collaboration with UNDP, provides technical assistance, risk mitigation tools, and access to concessional finance to improve project viability and attract private sector investment. Operated through UNDP Country Offices, the initiative works with governments to ensure alignment with national energy priorities and to help scale up investment-ready projects.

Currently active in twelve African countries, the initiative focuses on markets with limited access to commercial finance, working in close coordination with multilateral efforts to streamline support and enhance the delivery of sustainable energy solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

The UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition is seeking an Energy Finance Specialist to support the implementation of the “Energy for Growth in Africa” programme in Ethiopia. The Specialist will work in close coordination with the UNDP Country Office in Ethiopia and under the technical guidance of the Rome Centre’s Energy for Growth in Africa Team to accelerate clean energy investments aligned with national priorities and UNDP’s global and regional energy strategy.

The primary objective of this role is to identify, develop, and support energy initiatives that unlock financing and contribute to a just, inclusive, and sustainable energy transition in Ethiopia. The Energy Finance Specialist will provide strategic insights and technical expertise to ensure that interventions respond to national development goals while advancing regional and global objectives under SDG 7.

The Energy Finance Specialist will be instrumental in integrating energy finance solutions into Ethiopia’s broader sustainable development agenda. The Specialist will play a key role in ensuring the success of the “Energy for Growth in Africa” initiative at the national level, while strengthening linkages with continental and global platforms. This includes identifying opportunities to leverage carbon markets and climate finance instruments—such as carbon credits—to enhance the financial viability of clean energy projects and attract private investment. 

The Energy Finance Specialist will serve as the focal point for the UNDP Rome Centre’s “Energy for Growth in Africa” initiative in Ethiopia. The Specialist will provide technical expertise, strategic advice, and stakeholder coordination to accelerate clean energy investments that contribute to Ethiopia’s sustainable energy and climate goals, in alignment with CPD for Ethiopia (2025-2030), UNSCDF for Ethiopia (2025 – 2030) UNDP’s regional and global energy strategy. The key responsibilities include:

Ensure Project Identification and Origination

• Ensure the Implementation of the project origination framework established centrally by the Energy for Growth in Africa initiative.
• Ensure project identification is aligned with Ethiopia’s national energy priorities, in particular with the recently developed National Energy Compact.

Build Strategic Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Map relevant stakeholders in Ethiopia energy landscape and maintain active communication to ensure inclusive and coordinated engagement.
• Engage and coordinate with key energy stakeholders—government entities, private investors, development institutions (including G7 partners and the Italian Cooperation System), and financial actors—to facilitate partnerships and co-investment opportunities.
• Organize and contribute to technical meetings, stakeholder roundtables, and outreach events to promote the Energy for Growth in Africa initiative and related energy access and transition programmes.
• Engage directly and, if requested by the Government counterparts, support the Compact Delivery and Monitoring Unit that will be formed to deliver on the Mission 300 Compact.

Ensure Project Risk Mitigation and Investment Facilitation

• Liaise with financial institutions, investors, and multilateral partners to coordinate the deployment of financial instruments and appropriate risk mitigation tools for the successful completion of the projects.
• Identify opportunities for clean energy projects to generate carbon credits under voluntary or compliance carbon markets (e.g., Article 6 of the Paris Agreement), and support the integration of carbon revenue streams into project financing structures.

Provide Technical Assistance, Capacity Building, and Knowledge Sharing

• Offer technical inputs to clean energy project developers on feasibility studies, business models, power purchase agreements, and compliance with environmental and social safeguards.
• Advise and support clean energy project developers in structuring project financing by drawing on public and private, national and international climate finance sources, including those provided by multilateral development banks (e.g. WB, AfDB), vertical climate funds (e.g. GCF, GEF) and bilateral funds from G7 countries and Italy (e.g. Italian Climate Fund) - and support the submission of funding applications to these instruments. Facilitate the exchange of lessons learned and best practices with other participating countries under the Energy for Growth in Africa initiative.

Reporting, Monitoring, and Impact Assessment

• Prepare quarterly progress reports detailing project identification, pipeline development, risk mitigation efforts, and stakeholder engagement outcomes.
• Provide regular updates on cooperation with development partners, particularly G7 entities, including challenges, opportunities, and strategic recommendations.
• Develop and apply monitoring tools to track project outcomes related to energy access, investment mobilization, and sustainable development impact.
• Capture and share insights to improve programme design, execution, and overall contribution to Ethiopia’s energy transition. 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation

Institutional Arrangement

The Energy Finance Specialist will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and will be stationed at the UNDP Offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the “Energy for Growth in Africa” Team Lead at the UNDP Rome Centre, with a secondary reporting line to the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme) at the UNDP Ethiopia Country Office.

In this capacity, the Specialist will also collaborate with complementary UNDP-supported initiatives aimed at unlocking capital for sustainable development in Ethiopia such as the Ethiopia Investment Growth Facility to ensure strategic alignment, reinforce synergies in project pipeline development, and contribute to a coordinated approach to investment mobilization across sectors.

Regular travel within Ethiopia may be required to support project origination, stakeholder engagement, and field missions.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results- LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
Think Innovatively - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Management - Partnerships Management:  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
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 
Business Management - Operations Management:  Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms
Business Direction and Strategy - System Thinking:  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
2030 Agenda: Partnerships - Sustainable Energy Hub: Energy Finance
Partnership management - Resource mobilization    : Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements
2030 Agenda: Partnerships - Sustainable Energy Hub:  Energy: Energy Efficiency
 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Renewable Energy, Climate Change, International Development, Finance, Energy Policy, Engineering, or other closely related fields is required.  Or 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields, combined with a minimum of two additional years of relevant work experience, will be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’ s degree) relevant professional experience in executing clean energy projects in Africa. This can include experience in policy advisory, programme implementation, finance, and technical support in the fields of sustainable development, climate change, and green growth across various development contexts.
• Demonstrated expertise in energy finance, including investment planning, structuring of blended finance mechanisms, and project bankability assessments.
• Strong technical and financial analysis experience related to energy projects, with a focus on:
  • Renewable energy
  • Energy efficiency
  • Distributed generation
  • Productive uses of energy
  • Clean cooking technologies
• Familiarity with energy finance structures, including public-private partnerships, concessional finance, and risk mitigation instruments.
• Experience working with multilateral development banks (e.g., World Bank, AfDB, EIB) and Vertical Climate Funds (es. GCF, GEF) and designing renewable energy financing strategies.
• Experience in managing and supporting sustainable energy and climate change programmes; prior experience with UNDP or similar organizations.
• Proven track record of sound understanding of energy markets, pricing mechanisms, and the regulatory frameworks governing the energy sector in Ethiopia.
• Experience in Financial modelling and risk analysis for energy projects
• Proven ability to develop investment plans, establish energy investment facilities, and mobilize resources, with a focus on energy access and transition financing.
• Experience in structuring bankable projects aligned with national energy strategies
• Experience and strong understanding of energy policies, regulations, and incentives in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia.
• Experience and understanding of de-risking mechanisms and climate finance tools
• Demonstrated ability to foster public-private partnerships and manage risks for clean energy investments.
• Familiarity with development policy financing, carbon markets, and blended finance mechanisms.
• Experience and knowledge of cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, human rights, and the SDGs. 
• Proven track record of strong background in policy research, advocacy, and communication on sustainable energy and climate topics.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate financing agreements and build strategic partnerships.
• Experience in the UN system or international organizations in technical/advisory roles on energy and climate.
• Familiarity with:
  • East African energy markets and regulatory environments
  • Off-grid and mini-grid solutions
  • Public-private partnerships (PPPs)
  • SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and climate goals

Language:

• Fluency in English, with strong writing, presentation, and communication skills is required.

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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