Director - Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA)

• Manages and provides strategic leadership to the APRA Implementation Office and manages the Office overall.
• Represents the APRA Steering Committee vis-a-vis the APRA Steering Committee, APRA member countries, donors and other stakeholders.
• Represent the APRA Implementation Office in meetings and to external partners, including internationally and at senior levels, as determined with the Steering Committee.
• Leads the development of the APRA Implementation Office workplan and budget, ensuring they are aligned with the Steering Committee approved overall APRA work plan and strategy.
• Oversees the disbursement of funds to implementing partners provided for the APRA Implementation Office in accordance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations fiduciary standards, legal and ethical integrity policies, and in accordance with relevant guidelines approved by the Steering Committee.
• Provides leadership to ensure cohesive and effective day-to-day operations of the APRA Implementation Office.
• Supported by the APRA Implementation Office team, leads the matchmaking processes between needs identified in country planning and existing programming and activities by donors to catalyze provision of demand-driven technical assistance and implementation support in APRA member states.
• Oversees and coordinates the APRA Implementation Office’s cross-alignment with key African regional actors including the African Development Bank, the African Union and other UN and non-UN initiatives, including the NDC Partnership, the Climate Vulnerable Forum and Vulnerable 20 Group and the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII).
• Oversees the execution of the work plan approved by the Steering Committee, in close coordination with IRENA.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of a monitoring and evaluation system to assess the timeliness, appropriateness and outcomes of the APRA Implementation Office activities.
• Leads the effective implementation of all the functions of the APRA Implementation Office.
• Facilitates the consideration between the APRA Implementation Office and the APRA member countries.
• Leads the development and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy, under the guidance of the Steering Committee, to secure long-term, sustainable financing for the APRA Implementation Office and APRA overall.
• Works with the Steering Committee on resource mobilization to ensure the APRA Implementation Office has the financial resources needed to deliver its work plan, based on an approved resource mobilization plan, mobilizing resources from governmental and philanthropic donors and other sources of funds as appropriate.
• Oversees the preparation and delivery of reports for endorsement, approval or guidance of the Steering Committee, including but not limited to, annual, progress and performance reports, financial reports, etc.
• Facilitates the commissioning of any evaluations of the performance of the APRA Implementation Office based on the parameters outlined by the Steering Committee and the donors.
• Represents the APRA Implementation Office and participates in meetings, conferences, expositions, knowledge fora, and training activities as well as sessions of the Steering Committee, as required

• Provides leadership to the APRA Implementation Office professional and administrative personnel to support them in meeting their responsibilities and perform functions efficiently and effectively.
• Role-models UN values and behavioral competencies.
• Promotes teamwork and collaboration across the APRA Implementation Office, ensuring team members have clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• Fosters a positive work environment that is respectful of all. Ensures appropriate focus on team well-being, empowerment, diversity and inclusion and that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

3. Knowledge management and innovation

• Drives knowledge sharing and strategic communication with a broad range of stakeholders across APRA and beyond, ensuring collaboration and continuous feedback as appropriate.
• Facilitates the development, provision and dissemination of knowledge and information on averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.
• Promotes and raises awareness of APRA
• Leads the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders for strategic business development and engagement.
• Leads the ongoing development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximize performance and sustain achievements.

4. Partnership Management and Governance

• Ensure quality and integrity of APRA Implementation Office services
• Ensure that the standard operating procedures of the APRA Implementation Office are fit for purpose, facilitating updates as needed by the Steering Committee, and ensure that these procedures are followed.
• Oversee and direct the APRA Implementation Office to support the Steering Committee meetings, ensuring that they are convened regularly with a clear agenda and high-quality papers, to enable effective decision-making.
• Direct the APRA Implementation Office team in organising meetings of the Steering Committee, APRA Investment Fora and other relevant high level events, in close coordination with IRENA and APRA member countries.
• Ensure that the APRA member countries remain engaged in and informed about the work of APRA and are actively involved in delivery and decision-making.

• A minimum of fifteen (15)years of progressively responsible professional management experience is required.
• Out of the 15 years, at least 3 years of professional experience in the following:

  • Building and managing multidisciplinary and multicultural teams is required.

  • Building and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships is required.

  • Working on energy transition and climate action is required.

  • Working with developing countries is required.

• Professional experience dealing with topics relating to the clean energy transition, climate change adaptation and mitigation and familiarity with the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement is required.

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset