Programme Analyst- Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development within the UN Development System and serves as an integrator for collective action to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its policy work—spanning Headquarters, Regional, and Country Office levels—draws on deep local expertise and cutting-edge global perspectives to inform advocacy and implementation.

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) is responsible for developing policies and guidance to support the implementation of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provide technical advice to Country Offices, promote UNDP’s corporate priorities, represent the organization in multi-stakeholder fora—including public-private, government, and civil society platforms—and contribute to UN inter-agency coordination across thematic areas.

The newly established Planet Hub, under BPPS, brings together UNDP’s climate, energy, nature, chemicals and waste, and climate finance portfolios to address today’s complex and interconnected challenges. The Hub aims to strengthen strategic planning, governance, and policy coherence; scale up public and private financing; accelerate integrated solutions; and promote whole-of-society engagement. Through this approach, it supports countries in translating global environmental and energy commitments into accelerated, large-scale national and local action that advances prosperity and well-being while protecting the planet.

The Decarbonization and Energy Pillar within the Planet Hub aims to advance a just energy transition. Energy accounts for more than three-quarters of total GHG emissions globally, while around 2.1 billion people lack access to clean cooking while about 666 million remain without electricity. UNDP supports countries to deliver the energy commitments in their NDCs by accelerating energy transition through targeted de-risking strategies and just transition approaches. Given that all new NDCs include energy related targets and measures, a key priority for implementation is to scale up investment to accelerate delivery of these targets, while advancing just transition and delivering national development priorities. The energy transition also provides an opportunity for broader development transformation including: closing the energy access gap, advancing green industrialization, building domestic value chain, creating jobs, upgrading skills, and strengthening energy security.

UNDP provides technical assistance for the design and implementation of integrated projects and programmes that contribute to accelerating the energy transition and closing the energy access gap, mobilizing climate finance and leveraging private sector investment, which include: renewable energy deployment; grid modernization and expansion of energy-storage capacities; improvements in energy efficiency; closing the energy access gap through the deployment of distributed renewable energy and; clean cooking solutions; sustainable transport; and resilient and sustainable cities.

The Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes portfolio consists of over 70 Vertical Fund projects valued at more than USD400 million across 60 countries.

In this context, UNDP is seeking a Programme Analyst -Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance who will provide critical portfolio management and programme support services ensuring high quality, accuracy, timeliness and consistency across the Climate and Sustainable Energy Vertical Fund portfolio, in support of the newly established Planet Hub.

The position will be based in Bonn, Germany.

Position Purpose

Under the guidance and supervision of the Principal Technical Advisor (PTA) - Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes, the Programme Analyst supports the effective management, coordination, compliance and reporting of UNDP’s global Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes Vertical Fund (VF) portfolio. The Programme Analyst provides programme, operational, data management, and quality assurance support across the VF project cycle, including portfolio monitoring, pipeline and implementation tracking, compliance with fund-specific and UNDP requirements, and coordination with Regional Programme Associates and other relevant colleagues.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Contribute to the effective management, monitoring and coordination of the Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes VF portfolio

• Support the PTA - Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes in the effective coordination, monitoring and management of the Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes VF portfolio.
• Maintain and monitor accurate Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes VF portfolio data in PIMS+, including project status, milestones, risks, delivery, and reporting requirements.
• Conduct regular Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes VF portfolio analytics to identify implementation trends, bottlenecks, compliance gaps, and emerging risks.
• Use AI and digital tools, where appropriate, to strengthen the Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes VF portfolio data quality, analysis, reporting, and knowledge management.
• Prepare regular VF portfolio reports, briefs, dashboards, and analysis to support management decision-making.
• Support budget development, monitoring and execution, procurement planning and implementation, recruitment and onboarding processes, and operational coordination, including travel and mission arrangements, related to the implementation of the Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes VF portfolio.
• Coordinate closely with RPAs to support portfolio monitoring, compliance follow-up, troubleshooting, and knowledge sharing across regions.

Support compliance with VF procedures, templates and project-cycle milestones for the Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes VF portfolio

• Support regular portfolio reviews to ensure VF projects are up to date and in compliance with applicable fund-specific milestones and UNDP requirements.
• Work closely with the Responsible Parties (RPAs) to ensure that VF and UNDP requirements are met.
• Proactively following up with RPAs to ensure that COs are completing all required compliance checks as per Delegation of Authority (DOA) that is issued.
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date project records in PIMS and the GEF/GCF Portal.
• Follow up with RPAs to ensure PIMS+ data is accurate and updated in a timely manner.
• Efficient and effective management of VF global projects, as relevant.
• Working with RTLs, contribute to ensuring RPAs’ full alignment with policies, workflows, and processes pertaining to VF programming in POPP, as these may be amended from time to time, as well as the applicable RACI arrangements under UNDP POPP.
• Support the timely submission of MTRs, TEs and related documentation, and their sharing with relevant VF Secretariats.

Contribute to the quality assurance of VF project submissions

• Support capacity development of RPAs and other stakeholders through quality assurance and corrective/anticipatory feedback, thereby contributing to the quality and accuracy of VF project submissions.
• Review VF project documents for format, completeness, consistency and financial criteria at different stages of the VF projects cycles.
• Coordinate submission processes from inception to development and implementation, in accordance with UNDP and VF policies and procedures.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing for the Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes VF Portfolio

• Support knowledge building and sharing across the Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Programmes VF portfolio, drawing on portfolio data, implementation experience, and recurring operational/compliance issues.
• Support onboarding of new staff and consultants on VF requirements, project-cycle, systems, templates, and quality assurance.
• Document and disseminate good practices, lessons learned, and troubleshooting guidance related to VF portfolio management.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None

Competencies

• Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.

Think Innovatively: Level 1: Seeks to improve existing processes and identifies opportunities for change.

Learn Continuously: Level 1: Demonstrates openness to new information, feedback, and self-development.

Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adjusts own approach to changing circumstances and priorities.

Act with Determination: Level 1: Displays persistence and responsibility in accomplishing assigned tasks.

Engage and Partner: Level 1: Builds and maintains relationships and communicates effectively with colleagues and partners.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Values and respects diverse perspectives and inclusive practices.

• Cross Functional and Technical Competencies:

Business Management - Customer Satisfaction/Client Management:

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfill and understand the real customers' needs.
• Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
• Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Management - Partnership 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.

Finance - Development finance expertise: Ability to develop and work with innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g. social/development impact bonds, guarantees, climate finance, etc.

Business Management - Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively;
• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
• Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.
• Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools.
• Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Direction & 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.

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.

2030 Agenda: Partnerships - Sustainable Energy Hub: Energy Finance.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Energy, Climate Change, Environment, Finance, Development Studies or other closely related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• Professional Certification in Project Management is an advantage.

Experience:

• Applicants with master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in public sector working portfolio and project/programme management, financial resources management, budget management, and/or administrative support functions;
• Experience and good knowledge of an ERP System (such as Quantum) and portfolio management platforms (such as PIMS+) is desired.
• Experience and good understanding and capacity to use AI tools for data management and analysis is an asset;
• Experience in Climate Change and Sustainable Energy is desired.
• Prior experience with UNDP is an advantage;
• Relevant experience in programme/project management, financial resources management, budget management, and/or administrative support functions is desired.
• Experience in project oversight, quality assurance, and management of vertical funds (e.g. GEF, GCF) is desired.
• Experience in data management and analysis to facilitate VF portfolio and project cycle management is desired.
• Experience at the regional or international level with organizations that manage grants or vertical funds is desired

Language:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an advantage.

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.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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