Programme Manager (CleanStart) -UNDP

UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has developed a programme that aims to assist poor households and micro-entrepreneurs to obtain access to sustainable, low-cost clean energy supplies through microfinance loans. This programme, called CleanStart for short, will support 18 Financial Service Providers (FSPs) across six countries in Asia and Africa to build capabilities to provide clean energy lending, backed by a policy environment and energy value chain that is focused on reaching the poor. CleanStart (2012-2017, US$26.1) will be delivered through four outputs: Finance for Clean Energy to strengthen capabilities of 18 MFIs to provide microfinance for clean energy to low-income households and micro-entrepreneurs; Technical Assistance for Clean Energy to remove barriers to the successful deployment of those technologies and services for which the selected MFIs will provide microfinance; Global Knowledge and Learning to enhance understanding and awareness globally of the potential for microfinance to scale-up access to clean energy and make available the tools and knowledge needed to scale-up access to clean energy beyond the project; and Advocacy and Partnerships to create an enabling policy and business environment to expand microfinance for clean energy. CleanStart is largely divided into four phases of programming (inception, roll-out, consolidation and scale-up, phase-out). The inception phase will be one year and a half from January 2012 to June 2013 and will initially support three FSPs across two countries in Asia and Africa. CleanStart aims to incrementally expand to additional four countries in Years Two and Three of programme implementation. CleanStart will establish a Programme Implementation Unit (PIU) based in the UNCDF Asia-Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok. The Programme Manager will work under the direct supervision of the UNCDF Senior Regional Technical Advisor for Inclusive Finance based in Bangkok and secondary supervision of the designated personnel in UNDP Environment and Energy Group.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions: The key result of the Programme Manager will be to successfully implement the programme by undertaking the following responsibilities: Develop methodology for strategic market research in pilot countries: Develop a standard methodology for conducting strategic market research in pilot countries to assess energy needs of low-income households and micro-entrepreneurs, technology options, end-user finance requirements, and gaps in scaling-up decentralised clean energy solutions for the poor; Test and refine methodology in pilot countries. Ensure high-quality and timely technical assistance is provided to FSPs and energy suppliers in: Building awareness and confidence in clean energy financing, and developing business plans; Brokering reliable partnerships based on sustainable risk-sharing agreements; Developing financial products and business systems; Improving the energy supply chains of technology/service chosen for lending. Facilitate the award and management of grants and loans: Conduct Request for Proposals (RFPs) in pilot countries and manage the selection process, including reviewing FSP proposals, conducting due diligence, short-listing and presenting recommended proposals to the Investment Committee; Ensure national government (i.e. Central Bank) of pilot country is aware and has “no objection” to providing funding to selected FSPs; Draft Performance Based Agreements (PBA) with disbursement conditions and targets, and negotiate with applicants on final agreements; Oversee FSP’s execution of agreed milestones in the PBA and ensure disbursements are made on time if/when conditions are met; Review quarterly performance reports, analyze performance and work with FIPA network of country and/or regional advisors to ensure timely intervention to keep investments on track. Select and manage a network of technical service providers to assist FSPs and energy suppliers: Develop detailed strategies for technical assistance; Prepare, negotiate and manage framework contracts with International and Local Technical Service Providers; Manage technical service providers and oversee delivery of high-quality outputs; Ensure sustainability and quality of the network by through a system of training and certification of local technical service providers. Explore partnerships with relevant programmes and initiatives: Liaise closely with the UNDP/GEF Unit to explore potential to integrate CleanStart into UNDP/GEF project(s); Contribute through evidence and experience to the UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable Energy for All Initiative; Represent CleanStart in relevant events. Overall programme implementation and management: Manage the delivery of programme objective and outputs to ensure it is implemented on-time and on-budget; Provide direction and guidance to the project team; Ensure research outcomes inform project design; Liaise closely with the Investment Committee to keep the members abreast on programme progress and assure the overall direction and integrity of the project; Prepare and implement quarterly and annual work plans; Prepare quarterly and annual progress reports and submit the report to the Investment Committee; Facilitate annual reviews required by the Programme; Convene Investment Committee meeting(s); Convene annual event to disseminate initial pilot results and experiences (e.g. Global Clean Energy Finance Partnership Forum). Resource mobilization and corporate support: Develop strategies to mobilize additional resources based on programme resource requirements and new opportunities; Support the efforts of the Senior Regional Technical Advisor for Inclusive Finance, FIPA Director and Deputy Director, UNCDF Partnerships and Communications Unit to mobilize additional resources for the programme. Impact of Results: Results of the work will have a significant impact on: Strengthening the capabilities of FSPs to provide microfinance for sustainable, low-cost clean energy systems and services; Ensuring programme outputs and good human and financial resources management are directed at achieving the intended results of the programme.

Competencies

Corporate responsibility and teamwork: Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values and strategic goals of UNCDF; Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of the Programme; Plans, prioritizes and deliver tasks on time; Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others; Responds flexibly and positively to change through active involvement; Establishes clear performance goals, standards and responsibilities, and manages them accordingly; Promotes a learning environment, and facilitates the development of individual and team competencies; Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values and strategic goals of UNCDF. Results-orientation: Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals; Generate innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations. Partnering and networking: Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside the programme; Strong networking capabilities and ability to associate him/herself with a range of actors with a view to building relations and facilitating links; Ability to manage multi-partner, multi-country projects in complex environments that use state-of-the-art innovation and practice; Experience in organizing and coordination of a wide variety of meetings, conferences, events and other activities in professional contexts. Innovation and judgment: Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues and how they relate; Contributes creative, practical ideas and demonstrates sense of entrepreneurial initiative to deal with challenging situations; Strives for quality client-oriented services (internal and external) when making decisions and taking action Communication: Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills. Job knowledge and expertise: Demonstrated strong technical and practical leadership and knowledge in micro-finance, clean energy loan products for the poor, clean energy sector and carbon markets; Uses ICT and web-based management systems effectively as a tool and resource; Is motivated and demonstrates capacity to pursue personal development and learning. Nature of interactions: Active and continuous engagement with FSPs and energy suppliers to generate viable microfinance products for clean energy solutions that can be supported by the programme; Frequent travel to countries to meet with FSPs, policy makers, regulators, clean energy industry actors, and development partners to promote the programme, identify partnerships and to conduct monitoring of the programme; Build strong working relationships, supported by an effective communications strategy, with donors contributing to the programme; Build strong networks with international and regional institutions and programmes involved in promoting access to clean energy for the poor; Active and continuous engagement with FSPs and energy suppliers to generate viable microfinance products for clean energy solutions that can be supported by the programme. Core competencies: Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards; Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability; Treats all people fairly and without favoritism.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Advanced degree in Economics, Finance, Business or Public administration or related field. Concentration on energy an advantage. Experience: A minimum of 7 years relevant, practical working experience within the financial sector and/or microfinance and/or decentralized energy solutions for the base of the pyramid, preferably in least developed countries (LDCs) with at least 3 years demonstrated experience in managing a development programme in the field of microfinance; Documented, deep technical knowledge and experience with microfinance for clean energy solutions; FSP management, preferably in an emerging market; Experiences with similar assignments in LDCs and developing countries in Asia and Africa; Experience undertaking market research; Experience with new product development, testing, roll-out; Resource mobilization experience and record of success in reporting to and managing donor grants and reporting mechanisms; Strong programme management experience with emphasis on monitoring, evaluation and incorporating lessons learned into inclusive finance projects and programmes; Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills, including solid experience in financial management; Strong financial analysis and business project appraisal skills; Familiarity with UNCDF/UNDP rules and procedures is an advantage. Language Requirements: Excellent command of the English language, with outstanding written and oral communication skills.

Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders).

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Programme Manager (CleanStart)