Programme Specialist - (Head of Sustainable Energy, Environment and Climate Change (SEEDCC)

Background

UNDP Rwanda is embarking on a new strategic phase with the rollout of its Country Programme Document (CPD 2025-2029), which is fully aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and designed to support Rwanda's National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050. The CPD is structured around two transformative pillars: (i) Environment and Economic Transformation, focusing on nature-positive solutions, and (ii) Transformational Governance.

Rwanda, a landlocked low-income country in East Africa, has set ambitious targets through its Vision 2050 to become a middle-income carbon-neutral economy by 2035 and transition to a high-income carbon-neutral economy by 2050. The country faces significant environmental and climate challenges that threaten its development trajectory.

Rwanda's development is heavily dependent on its natural resources, presenting significant environmental challenges. According to the National Census 2022, on average 76% of households rely on firewood for cooking, with an even higher dependency in rural areas where 93.4% of households use charcoal and firewood. This heavy reliance on biomass energy puts substantial pressure on the country's forest resources, which currently cover 30.4% of the land area.

The agricultural sector remains a crucial component of Rwanda's economy, with over 70% of the workforce engaged in subsistence agriculture. However, this sector faces significant challenges due to the country's topography, with 49% of Rwanda's terrain classified as high-slope mountainous areas and 38.2% of the country at high risk of soil erosion. These geographical conditions make agricultural activities particularly challenging and increase vulnerability to climate-related risks.

Climate change impacts are becoming increasingly evident in Rwanda.  Even though the country contributes less to global warming, the average annual temperature has increased by 1.4°C since 1970, and rainfall patterns show increasing variability with more frequent extreme events (droughts, landslides and flooding's). These changes pose significant risks to environment, agricultural productivity and overall social-economic stability.

Despite these challenges, Rwanda has shown remarkable economic resilience. After experiencing a 3.4% contraction in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy rebounded strongly with a growth rate of 10.9% in 2021 and 8.2% in 2022. The country's GDP reached $13.8 billion in 2022, with a GDP per capita of approximately $1,000. This economic recovery has been driven by the service sector, manufacturing, and construction activities, although the agricultural sector remains fundamental to the economy's structure.

The Government of Rwanda demonstrates strong commitment to addressing these challenges through Vision 2050, National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), the revised Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS), National Environment and Climate Policy (2019), and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

It is against that background that UNDP Rwanda Country Office is looking for a seasoned experts for the role of Programme Specialist to head Sustainable Energy, Environment and Climate Change (SEEDCC) Unit and lead the implementation of its new CPD, focusing on nature, environment, energy, and climate change initiatives.

Position Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) and the overall guidance of the Resident Representative (RR), the Programme Specialist leads the country office team in designing, developing and executing the. Sustainable Energy, Environment and Climate Change portfolio.

The Programme Specialist and Head of Sustainable Energy, Environment and Climate Change (SEEDCC) Unit will play a crucial role in implementing the Environment and Economic Transformation pillar of the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2025-2029. The position entails leadership in carbon markets, climate and nature finance, clean energy solutions, and disaster risk reduction. The Specialist will strengthen partnerships, engage the private sector, and lead resource mobilization efforts. They will also manage a multidisciplinary team and ensure synergies with other programmatic pillars. This role combines strategic thinking, technical depth, and programmatic delivery in support of Rwanda’s just energy transition and climate-resilient development pathway.

A key focus of this role will be the overall management of the team of experts, developing a robust portfolio on nature and climate, building strategic partnerships and mobilizing resources from existing and emerging climate finance mechanisms, including the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), and Loss and Damage Fund. The position holder will also be responsible for engaging the private sector and harnessing opportunities offered by carbon markets to support Rwanda's sustainable development goals.

The Programme Specialist and Head of Sustainable Energy, Environment and Climate Change (SEEDCC Unit works in close collaboration with heads of other units such as the Transformative Governance Unit (TGU), the Inclusive Growth Unit, Programme Management Support Unit (MSU), Communication Unit, Accelerator Labs, and Operations Teams to drive strategic development and implementation of initiatives under the Environment and Economic Transformation pillar. The incumbent provides expert guidance to senior management while fostering synergies and cross-collaboration on innovative approaches in thematic initiatives and emerging priorities.

Following UNDP's portfolio approach, the programme Specialist and head of SEEDCC Unit will manage programmes across units, functions, and teams to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages between interventions.

Through multidisciplinary collaboration, they ensure effective program cycle management from design to implementation, while maintaining compliance with UNDP policies and UN regulations.

The Programme Specialist and head of Unit demonstrates managerial innovation, strong client orientation, and initiative in developing and implementing strategies for private sector engagement, climate finance mobilization, and carbon market opportunities. They facilitate knowledge sharing, promote innovative solutions, and advance UNDP's strategic positioning in sustainable development within Rwanda.

Working horizontally across the organization, they contribute to organizational learning and enhance cross-practice collaboration while maintaining strong partnerships with government institutions, development partners, and stakeholders. The programme Specialist and head of Unit may be required to undertake emerging tasks and additional duties as requested by senior management.

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.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Ensure Strategic Programme Development and Implementation:

• Lead the strategic design, formulation, and implementation of the Sustainable Energy, Environment and Climate Change portfolio, ensuring alignment with the Country Programme Document (CPD), United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and national priorities;
• Conduct political, economic, social, and environmental analysis to inform programming and contribute to corporate planning exercises, including the Common Country Assessment (CCA), CPD, Annual Work Plan (AWP), and reporting through the United Nations Info Platform (UNINFO) and Results Oriented Annual Reporting (ROAR);
• Identify and prioritize strategic areas for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) engagement in sustainable energy, environment, climate change, nature-based solutions, disaster risk reduction, and early warning systems;
• Design new programmes and initiatives that translate strategic priorities into effective interventions, in close collaboration with national and international partners;
• Lead the operationalization of CPD outputs, ensuring results are delivered in coordination with implementing partners, UN agencies, and stakeholders;
• Guide and support a multidisciplinary team to ensure quality delivery, innovation, and results-based management across the portfolio;
• Support integration of global and regional policy guidance, initiatives, and knowledge products into country programming through collaboration with UNDP’s Regional Hub and Headquarters (HQ);
• Review and provide technical input to national policies and strategies on green economy, energy transition, and climate resilience to ensure coherence with global frameworks and inclusive development;
• Represent UNDP in high-level policy discussions and coordination forums with government, development partners, and regional actors to advance strategic positioning;
• Produce and review analytical reports, policy briefs, and strategic documents for internal and external use, including regular reporting on portfolio performance and impact.

2. Establish Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors, IFIs, private sector actors, and civil society to support programme growth and sustainability;
• Identify and pursue strategic opportunities for joint initiatives, particularly with the UN Country Team, and contribute to the design and implementation of joint programmes;
• Proactively explore new partnerships and develop concepts that align UNDP’s strategic objectives with Rwanda’s national priorities and donor interests;
• Mobilize financial and technical resources from a wide range of partners, including public and private sector donors, to expand and sustain the Sustainable Growth portfolio;
• Establish programmatic linkages across sectors to enable integrated approaches to climate action, energy, and environmental governance;
• Provide technical input to partnership and donor engagement strategies, including the identification of service provision partners for monitoring, training, and technical support;
• Lead the preparation and submission of high-quality donor reports, ensuring compliance with partner expectations and visibility requirements;
• Represent UNDP in technical and high-level forums to position the organization as a partner of choice in sustainable energy, environment, and climate resilience.

3. Team Leadership and Cross-Unit Collaboration: Ensuring Effective Portfolio Management in compliance with UNDP policies, UN rules and regulations:

• Lead and manage the Sustainable Growth Unit, including staff supervision, team development, and performance oversight;
• Oversee the design, implementation, and monitoring of all sustainable growth programmes and projects, ensuring alignment with evolving priorities and strategic outcomes;
• Ensure compliance with UNDP rules and regulations across the full programming cycle — from planning and budgeting to implementation and reporting. Serve as Manager Level 2 in Quantum for project transaction approvals;
• Coordinate with senior colleagues, the Regional Centre, and HQ on technical guidance and strategic alignment, ensuring coherence and innovation in programme delivery;
• Use portfolio management tools to flexibly allocate resources and adapt to shifts in the development landscape;
• Promote cross-team collaboration and knowledge sharing, encouraging adaptive thinking and peer learning within the unit and across the office;
• Provide practical guidance on integrating UNDP’s dynamic portfolio approach, including engagement with non-traditional partners and leveraging fee-based services and investment platforms;
• Liaise with government counterparts, donors, and partners to ensure smooth implementation, strategic alignment, and high-quality delivery of results;
• Lead the preparation of programmatic and policy documents, reports, presentations, and other outputs to support decision-making, visibility, and donor accountability;
• Conduct regular project, grant, and budget reviews to ensure effective use of resources and fulfilment of donor and corporate reporting requirements;
• Carry out other tasks as required to ensure the effective functioning of the portfolio.

4. Provision of Advisory Services, Knowledge Building, and Policy Influence: focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provide high-quality policy advice on climate change, environment, and sustainable energy, aligned with Rwanda’s development priorities and global frameworks;
• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned that inform national policies and UNDP programming;
• Integrate policy and institutional development into project design in collaboration with government and other strategic partners;
• Support the establishment and strengthening of advocacy networks at national and global levels to amplify the impact of sustainable development initiatives;
• Lead or contribute to high-impact advocacy campaigns with key stakeholders to influence policy and mobilize support for transformative solutions.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise Programme Analysts, Associates and Project Management personnel

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact ;

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands;

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction and 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.

2030 Agenda: Partnership

• Sustainable Energy Hub
  • Energy access.

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Climate
  • Climate change adaptation policy and planning: National Adaptation Plans.
• Nature
  • Environmental Governance: Global Environmental Governance. 

Business Development

• Portfolio Management
  • Ability to select, prioritize 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.
• Result-Based Management
  • Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Portfolio Management
  • Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools. Ability to select, prioritize 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Energy Policy, or related field is required. Or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in managing programmes in environment, energy, or climate change within international development contexts is required;
• Proven experience in resource mobilization and preparing proposals for climate finance (GEF, GCF, etc.) is required; 
• Experience with carbon markets, nature-based solutions, or green economy frameworks is a distinct advantage;
• Proven experience and strong background in policy advisory and stakeholder engagement is an asset;
• Proven experience in leading and supervising teams is desired;
• Experience at the national level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects is desired;
• Experience in ensuring programme / project quality assurance and results-based management is desired;
• Experience in leading the preparation of programmatic and policy documents, reports, presentations, and other outputs to support decision-making, visibility, and donor accountability is desired. 

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda and/or Kiswahili is required.

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.

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