Senior Integrated Energy Systems Expert
Organizational Context
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) supports developing countries in accelerating their transition to low-carbon, resilient, and affordable energy systems. This role will contribute to UNEP's work on buildings, cooling, energy efficiency, and clean energy finance, translating global energy transition objectives into practical policy, regulatory, and investment solutions.
Job Purpose
This role provides senior technical and programmatic leadership for UNEP’s work on demand-side flexibility and integrated energy systems, including the development and delivery of the Global Demand Flexibility Accelerator. The purpose is to lead programme design, technical coordination, government and partner engagement, national roadmap development, international standards, market enablement, resource mobilization, and quality assurance of technical outputs. The position aims to support governments in accelerating the transition towards low-carbon, resilient, and affordable energy systems by developing nationally owned demand-side flexibility roadmaps and strengthening policy, regulatory, and market frameworks.
Responsibilities
Lead the technical design, development, and initial implementation of UNEP’s Global Demand Flexibility Accelerator, including strategy, work planning, and risk management. Engage technically and politically with governments and power-sector institutions in priority countries to develop nationally owned demand-side flexibility programmes and roadmaps. Develop a common UNEP methodology for national demand-side flexibility roadmaps and oversee its application. Represent UNEP in technical and strategic discussions with senior government officials, regulators, system operators, and other national stakeholders. Lead engagement with international and national standards organizations to advance practical standards pathways for demand-side flexibility and interoperable energy systems. Provide senior technical guidance on developing enabling market arrangements for demand-side flexibility. Ensure technical oversight and quality assurance for analytical work. Lead technical coordination with international partners and ensure integration of demand flexibility activities across UNEP platforms. Lead or contribute to resource mobilization and donor engagement strategies.
Work Experience
A minimum of 10 progressively responsible professional experience in the energy sector is required. This includes demonstrated experience leading international programmes, providing technical and policy advice to governments, and coordinating multi-country initiatives and partnerships in areas such as power-system flexibility, energy efficiency, integrated energy systems, or clean-energy transitions.
Skills
Programme leadership and strategic development, Country programme leadership, National roadmap development, Government and stakeholder engagement, International standards and interoperability, Market and regulatory frameworks, Technical oversight and quality assurance, Strategic partnerships, Resource mobilisation and donor engagement, Global thought leadership and representation, Project management best practices.