Head of International Engagement

Position description

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 – ensuring clear objectives and impactful means of engagement;
• Spearhead SEforALL’s 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 SEforALL’s 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 SEforALL’s 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 requirements

Education

• Master’s Degree in Energy, Climate Change, Economics, International Relations, Public Policy, Law or related field is required. A Bachelor’s degree paired with 2 additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu.

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.

Language

• Fluency in English is required;
• Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Application instructions

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