Project Management Support - Advisor at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Functions / Key Results Expected

Advisory support on EU Energy and Climate Acquis Alignment

• Provide high-quality technical assistance and policy advice to ensure the compliant transposition, adoption, and effective implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive and other EU requirements in the area of climate and energy.
• Support the institutions in addressing EU acquis compliance requirements, supporting the legislative process, and advising on implementation challenges and necessary follow-up actions. 
• Expert guidance on aligning national energy and climate frameworks with evolving EU requirements, ensuring coherence across policy, legal, and institutional dimensions.

Support to coordination, Institutional Strengthening, and Policy Advisory Support

• Support effective coordination among relevant national institutions involved in the implementation of energy and climate policies, including the provision of expert inputs to meetings, consultations, and technical discussions related to acquis alignment.
• Facilitate interinstitutional dialogue on different reforms, processes, procedures in the area of climate and energy, with a view to aligning national practices with EU requirements and good practices.
• Support the Ministry’s engagement in Energy Community structures, through the preparation of analytical inputs, reports, negotiation positions, and briefing notes related to obligations under the Energy Community Treaty and the EU accession process. 
• Provide policy advice on electricity market integration, covering cooperation mechanisms, market coupling, public service obligations related to security of supply, price regulation, and market liberalisation, as well as advice on aligning national electricity market arrangements with EU requirements.
• Deliver research-based policy advice on the EU climate acquis, carbon pricing mechanisms, and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and support interinstitutional cooperation on alignment with the EU Emissions Trading System, the development and implementation of Monitoring, Reporting, Verification and Accreditation (MRVA) systems, and the implementation of the Governance Regulation and related reporting obligations.

Expected outputs

• Strategic and technical advisory inputs supporting alignment with the EU energy and climate acquis, including legislative, policy, and implementation-related guidance, as well as ad-hoc advice in response to emerging priorities.
• Analytical and policy-oriented outputs, such as briefing notes, background analyses, or technical inputs on selected energy and climate topics, including electricity market developments, decarbonisation, and climate policy instruments.
• Institutional coordination and process support, including expert contributions to interinstitutional meetings, consultations, and working groups, and inputs supporting improved coordination and alignment with EU requirements and good practices.
• EU accession and Energy Community support outputs, including preparatory materials, analytical inputs, and advisory support related to Energy Community obligations and the EU accession process.
• Reporting and knowledge contributions, including inputs to project reports, summaries of advisory support provided, and consolidated reflections on key findings and recommendations.

Monitoring and progress controls 

• Expert inputs and contributions were delivered in a timely manner and in accordance with established quality standards. Feedback from beneficiaries has been generally positive.
• The expert’s work contributed to alignment with the EU Energy and Climate acquis.
• Reports were submitted in a timely manner, in line with the structure and content agreed with the supervisor.

Skills

Climate, Energy Policy, European Law, Legal Writing, Policy Analysis, Research, Stakeholder Management

Competencies

• Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, economics, environmental science, engineering, or a related field, with 7 years of relevant experience, is required

Desired

• PhD in a relevant field.

Experience Requirements

Required

• At least 7 years of professional experience in energy and/or climate policy, EU acquis alignment, or Energy Community-related work is required..