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’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan emphasizes the critical links between environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and broader efforts to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement. The strategy includes development financing as one of the key enablers achieve the objectives of these agendas and emphasize the importance of creating partnerships with governments and the private sector to align public and private capital flows with the SDGs to mobilize finance at scale.
The Regional Hub for LAC supports 24 countries through the Regional Program (2022–2025), working with governments via country offices to deliver tailored solutions and strengthen local capacities. UNDP’s LAC Environment and Energy Team (LAC E&E) supports these country offices to help Latin American and Caribbean countries advance their nature, environment, climate, waste and chemicals agendas, and to develop sound national and sectoral planning and inclusive growth policies.
The team signed a cooperation agreement with the EU under the Euroclima program for the “District Cooling in LAC” project. It seeks to transform the commercial cooling market in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Grenada by introducing district cooling systems, which cut GHG emissions, reduce refrigerant use, improve energy efficiency, and support NDC implementation. District cooling reduces GHG emissions in the RAC sector and offers major untapped potential in LAC to advance NDCs and climate goals.
The project aims to build national capacities to support effective adoption of district cooling and strengthen public and private institutions and businesses in the value chain.
Additionally, UNDP has an active portfolio of projects under the Montreal Protocol (MP) Multi-Lateral Fund (MLF), which was the basis for designing the DC LAC project.
To support and guarantee the implementation and technical oversight of project activities in Jamaica and Grenada, the project is recruiting a District Cooling Technical Analyst to support the implementation in these two countries.
Scope of Work
Under the supervision of the Project Manager from the UNDP Regional Office, the District Cooling Technical Analyst will ensure project implementation at the national level in Jamaica and Grenada, ensuring effective execution of activities, engagement with key stakeholders, technical oversight, achievement of expected results and coordination with MP and other projects.
Duties and Responsibilities
1.) Project Planning and Implementation
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Coordinate project planning with the Regional Office and Country Office teams.
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Manage daily project activities and overall implementation, including planning and monitoring.
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Provide technical advice for feasibility studies, business models, and development of a National Cooling Plan.
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Ensure timely, budget-compliant, high-quality delivery of outputs.
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Collaborate with other program units and projects to integrate development priorities.
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Align implementation with UNDP policies and integrate gender equality perspectives.
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Manage national-level operations including procurement and resource management.
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Provide support to the Country Office teams in the implementation of the Montreal Protocols in Jamaica and Grenada.
2.) Partnerships and Communication
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Build and maintain strategic relationships with implementing partners, government officials, private sector, NGOs, and other stakeholders in both countries including with EU Delegations.
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Conduct stakeholder mapping and analysis.
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Ensure coordination mechanisms and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with key stakeholders.
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Prepare reports on cooperation opportunities and make recommendations for scaling and replication.
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Provide technical support to implementing partners and act as liaison with UNDP.
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Support resource mobilization efforts and project development.
3.) Monitoring and Reporting
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Develop data collection and reporting strategies with the regional M&E Analyst.
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Monitor progress and manage risks.
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Conduct field visits, as needed.
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Coordinate with Finance to ensure proper budget and resource management.
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Prepare corporate, donor, and government reports.
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In coordination with the Country Office teams, provide support to the monitoring and reporting of the portfolio of projects under the Montreal Protocol.
4.) Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing
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Organize trainings and workshops on district cooling.
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Document best practices and lessons learned.
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Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
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Support knowledge platform development and dissemination.
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Promote advocacy and collaboration opportunities.
The incumbent may perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The District Cooling Technical Analyst will report directly to the Project Manager from the UNDP LAC Regional Office, in coordination with the UNDP Country Office of Jamaica and the Multicountry Office of Barbados for Grenada.
Competencies
Core Competencies
- ACHIEVE RESULTS – LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
- THINK INNOVATEVELY – LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
- LEARN CONTINUOUSLY – LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
- ADAPT WITH AGILITY – LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
- ACT WITH DETERMINATION – LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
- ENGAGE AND PARTNER – LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
- ENABLE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION – LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.
Cross-Functional Competencies
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BUSINESS DIRECTION & STRATEGY
- SYSTEMS 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.
- ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING: Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate.
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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
- 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.
- COMMUNICATION: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Technical Competencies
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2030 AGENDA. PLANET
- CHEMICALS & WASTE HUB: Sustainable Cooling.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Management, Industry, Energy Efficiency, Chemistry, or 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.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in providing project management services.
- Experience in management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, and/or leading and managing projects related to energy efficiency, cooling or similar.
- Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Advanced Excel, etc is required.
Additional desirable criteria:
- Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations including financial sector and private sector.
- Previous experience with UNDP.
- Knowledge and experience in energy efficiency, cooling or similar.
- Experience guiding teams to achieve project goals.
- Experiencie in web-based management systems, and database packages.
Languages:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
Important applicant information
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.
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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