Clean Cooking Planning Officer Retainer

Job Highlight

The Clean Cooking Planning Officer position is a technical support role responsible for assisting in the application of energy planning frameworks and geospatial tools. The position focuses on providing analytical and coordination support to accelerate the uptake of sustainable cooking solutions, specifically through data modeling and stakeholder assistance across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

About The Project Office

Sustainable Energy for All has a global mandate to accelerate progress on the energy transition in emerging and developing countries. Hosted by UNOPS, we work at the intersection of energy, climate and development, partnering with governments and organizations worldwide to end energy poverty, double energy efficiency, significantly expand renewable energy and combat climate change.

Our vision is a world where everyone, everywhere, can lead a dignified life on a healthy planet, powered by sustainable energy. We promote this vision by pushing for higher ambitions, stronger policies, greater finance flows, increased localization and green jobs, and faster results toward an energy transition that leaves no one behind.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Since then, our CEO has served as the UN Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy.

About The Group

As part of the Global Portfolios Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of nine global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), sustainable energy (SEforALL) humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR.

Role Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Officer, Clean Cooking, the Clean Cooking Planning Officer will provide technical and operational support to the delivery of clean cooking planning activities. The role is responsible for assisting with data collection and modeling tasks in priority countries such as Mozambique and Ethiopia, contributing to technical capacity-building sessions for local stakeholders, and providing coordination support for project pipelines within global initiatives like GeCCo and Mission 300. This is a part-time retainer position expected to work approximately up to 17 days per month.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Research and Technical Analysis
• Provide research and data inputs to help implement strategic interventions and partnerships that advance universal access to electricity and clean cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, with a focus on eCooking transitions.
• Assist in energy planning and modelling to support clean cooking transitions, including contributing to data collection and preliminary screening of projects for the high-impact investment pipeline.
• Provide technical and research assistance for the development of the Global eCooking Coalition (GeCCo) portfolio, including National eCooking Strategies and Readiness Assessments, by synthesizing partner inputs and supporting in the drafting of technical sections for policy implementation plans.
• Support the Mission 300 team by conducting market mapping and background research to identify clean cooking opportunities within existing project portfolios.
• Advocacy, Communications and Knowledge Products
• Contribute to the communication and advocacy efforts of Mission 300 and the Platform for Clean Cooking in Schools, by supporting social media campaigns, and outreach activities.
• Assist in the development and dissemination of case studies and communications to help increase awareness in the areas of action.
• Provide programmatic and technical support for events that convene clean cooking stakeholders (e.g. SEforALL Forums, COP, G20, UNGA)
• Assist in the preparation and coordination of workshops and multi-stakeholder dialogues in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia in support of SDG7.
• Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
• Assist in partnerships and engagement activities by maintaining trackers, preparing background notes for meetings, and supporting the coordination of joint advocacy and capacity-building activities.
• Contribute to the drafting of technical reports and presentations used in strategies to mobilize finance for modern energy cooking services.
• Support the monitoring of work plan progress by compiling internal status updates and preparing reporting documents as required.
  
  

Required

Education Requirements

A First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Financial Management, Electrical Engineering, Economics, Energy, Sustainable Development, or a related field.

An Advanced degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in Financial Management, Electrical Engineering, Economics, Energy, Sustainable Development or a related field is an asset and may compensate for some years of experience.

Required

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in energy access within developing country contexts, with a specialized focus on clean cooking transitions.
• Proven experience in quantitative analysis and utilizing energy modeling tools and software to inform energy access or transition strategies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sustainable energy policy frameworks, regulatory environments, and financing mechanisms within Sub-Saharan Africa or the Asia-Pacific.
  
  

Desired

• Experience working with international organizations (e.g., UN system), development agencies, or national energy ministries.
• Experience producing technical knowledge products and external communications (e.g., newsletters, web content) tailored for energy sector stakeholders.
• Experience supporting or facilitating high-level multi-stakeholder dialogues, workshops, or international convenings.

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