Climate and Energy Analyst [Open to Tier 1 applicants]

Better Than Cash
Better Than Cash

IT · Full-time

Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy · Rome, Italy

Posted on Sep 8, 2026
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Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading UN organization advancing sustainable development globally and in Ethiopia. As a key integrator within the UN system, UNDP plays a central role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP operates at global, regional, and country levels, combining international expertise with local knowledge to deliver practical solutions and impactful advocacy.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) have the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

As per UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2026-2029, four strategic objectives – prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience and healthy planet – define the organization’s strategic direction, powered by three accelerators: digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation; gender equality; and sustainable finance.

The central purpose of the Rome Centre is to ensure the effective implementation and further development of the strategic partnership between UNDP and the government of Italy across the objectives of sustainable development and in doing so advancing the broader partnership between UNDP and G7 and G20 countries.

The Rome Centre focuses on the critical policy areas of youth engagement in climate action, energy for development and climate finance.

Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance (PISTA) aims to mobilize finance for climate, energy, and environment by originating projects that support decarbonization and climate-resilient transitions in developing economies, while catalyzing international financial resources. Matching impactful projects with investors goes hand in hand with engagement with financial institutions—both institutional and private—at Italian and global levels. In its current portfolio, PISTA is supporting 24 projects across Africa, to which it is providing technical assistance with the goal of strengthening their bankability - from developing financial models, to enhancing environmental and social impact management, to more ad hoc project support.

Energy for Growth promotes access to sustainable energy in developing countries, contributing to SDG7. It supports partner countries in unlocking finance to scale up clean energy solutions, expand energy access, and accelerate the energy transition. By connecting UNDP’s country presence and technical capacity with the public-private ecosystem of Italy and other G7 countries, the initiative helps mobilize capital aligned with the international energy and SDG agenda.

Youth4Climate advances youth engagement in climate action, contributing to SDG13. It supports youth-led and youth-inclusive solutions through financing and capacity development, while providing young climate leaders worldwide with a platform to engage with policymakers and global decision-makers.

The Rome Centre also holds a broader mandate to engage the Italian ecosystem, working closely with key public and private sector actors to mobilize financial resources for development objectives. To ensure effective implementation of the Centre’s workplan and its long-term strategic impact, the Rome Centre will continue to expand strategic partnerships and reinforce collaboration with Italy and other key partners.

The initiative aligns with UNDP’s goals on inclusive climate governance, energy transition, and intergenerational equity, linking global policy to local implementation.

Position Purpose

One of the UNDP Rome Centre’s main objectives is to support partner countries in addressing climate change by increasing access to clean energy, decarbonising industries, and strengthening climate resilience.

PISTA is a climate finance mobilization platform hosted by the UNDP Rome Centre and supported by the Government of Italy. It helps governments translate national priorities into investable projects and implementation initiatives, contributing to SDGs 7, 13, and 15, as well as UNDP’s goals on clean energy, sustainable finance, and poverty reduction.

PISTA operates through two windows: the Investment Catalyst Window (ICW) and the Bilateral Cooperation Window (BCW). The BCW supports the design and implementation of bilateral cooperation projects between the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MEES) and partner governments in developing and emerging economies, with the aim of maximizing the impact of grants and leveraging additional financing.

PISTA supports the full project cycle, from identification and design to implementation and monitoring. Projects focus on climate mitigation and adaptation across sectors such as clean energy, climate-resilient agriculture, waste management, climate innovation, air quality monitoring, and resilient infrastructure. Working closely with UNDP country offices, governments, technical experts, and implementing partners, PISTA transforms national priorities into approved projects and provides oversight during implementation. It also helps mobilize additional financing to scale up successful initiatives.

Since its launch, PISTA BCW has supported project preparation and implementation across Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

The Centre is seeking an Energy and Climate Analyst to support the implementation of PISTA BCW. Reporting to the PISTA Team Lead, the Climate and Energy Analyst will contribute to advancing the Centre’s objectives in line with donor priorities and UNDP’s development agenda. In line with UNDP’s portfolio approach, the role requires close collaboration across teams, functions, and projects to promote integrated and multidisciplinary solutions.

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Contribute to the implementation of the Bilateral Cooperation Window of PISTA

  • Contribute to the further development and operationalization of PISTA BCW activities for the deployment of climate and energy projects.
  • Support the origination and development of bilateral cooperation projects between the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and partner governments, translating country priorities into project concepts and implementation opportunities.
  • Contribute to project design and resource mobilization efforts, including drafting concept notes and project documents, conducting technical missions, engaging donors and private-sector partners, liaising with UNDP Country Offices, and identifying specialized technical experts.
  • Support the implementation and monitoring of approved projects and ad hoc activities, including the preparation of workplans, reports, and coordination with UNDP Country Office project management teams.
  • Contribute to project operations, visibility, and stakeholder engagement, including procurement processes, outreach with donors, media and private-sector partners, and the organization of study visits and missions of partner-country institutions to Italy.
  • During the project design and implementation, facilitate regular meetings with project partners and other key stakeholders, supporting their organization, reporting, and the maintenance of strong relationships.
  • Support and coordinate the team working on PISTA BCW and support operational activities across workstreams and teams.
  • Support the coordination with other Rome Centre programmes, such as E4G and Y4C, to identify and leverage potential synergies in the project design and implementation.

Reporting, monitoring and evaluation activities

  • Contribute to monitoring and reporting activities at the project level of PISTA BCW. This includes preparing interim and final technical and financial reports, monitoring and verifying project results, conducting periodic inspections and field visits, and producing related reporting documentation.
  • Contribute inputs to programmatic and strategic documents as required, including workplans, programme annual reports, financing agreements, disbursement letters, official letter exchanges between the Rome Centre and the donor.
  • Support all reporting activities related to PISTA to ensure alignment between objectives and results. This includes both project-level activities, in coordination with relevant teams, and programme-level activities. Duties may include the timely preparation, publication, and dissemination of reports against milestones and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
  • Prepare presentations and documents to senior management and external audiences, including public events, conferences, official visits, country engagements, and partner events.

Promote partnership building and stakeholder engagement

  • Contribute to maintaining strong engagement with the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, as well as the broader Italian public sector ecosystem, including different ministries, agencies and financial institutions, including Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.
  • Support projects in securing grant financing, as well as non-grant financing from other partners.
  • Prepare and provide technical inputs to strategic documents, briefing notes, and speeches for the Rome Centre Coordinator, the PISTA Team Lead, and the Donor.
  • Participate in academic and private sector conferences, workshops, and networking events to present partnership opportunities and identify new potential collaborations.
  • Support the engagement of private sector actors to foster collaboration and partnership with relevant initiatives. This includes, preparing outreach materials, coordinating meetings, and facilitating dialogue between UNDP teams and private sector stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the wider Rome Centre development of strategies to engage private sector players.

Facilitate knowledge building and management

  • Contribute to innovation in project origination, design and structuring, as well as technical assistance delivery models.
  • Support knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
  • Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
  • Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked project policy goals.
  • Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high-impact advocacy with key partners.
  • Organize training for the projects staff on programme related matters in assigned areas.

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: Yes, 2 full-time personnel and potential consultants.
  • The Climate and Energy Analyst will report to and be directly supervised by the PISTA Team Lead, at UNDP Rome Centre.
  • Given the global scope of the work to be undertaken during this assignment, the Climate and Energy Analyst is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability taking into consideration different time zones.
  • Given the scope of the work the Climate and Energy Analyst is expected to travel to HQ and in the country offices.

Competencies

  • Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.

Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

  • People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

  • Cross Functional and Technical Competencies:

Business management - Partnerships management: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Management - 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 and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
  • Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Business Direction and Strategy - System 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.

Business management - Operations management: Ability to effectively plan, organise and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organisation’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.

Business management - Communication:

  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.

2030 Agenda: PLANET - Climate: Climate Change Adaptation: Climate-Resilient Infrastructure.

Partnership management - Emerging partnerships: Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Climate Policy or related disciplines is required. Or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 2 years (with a master’s degree) or 4 years (with a bachelor’s degree) in the field of economic policy, as well as proven professional experience in the field of climate and energy is required.
  • Demonstrated experience working in or with Sub-Saharan countries and conflict-affected countries is required.
  • Demonstrated experience in the design, set-up, and implementation of climate and energy projects in developing countries is required.
  • Demonstrated experience in the design, set-up, and implementation of waste management, air quality monitoring, or biofuel projects in developing countries is desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience working and establishing and maintaining partnerships with multiple stakeholders at the country level in Africa and in conflict-affected countries (e.g., Country Offices, Embassies, UN Agencies, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation) is required.
  • Demonstrated experience in the design and set-up of projects involving universities and promoting inter-academia exchanges and collaboration is desirable.
  • Proven experience and knowledge of UNDP programme and project management tools and procedures is desirable.
  • Proven experience in activities related to budget management (e.g., drafting project financing agreements, managing project budgets, maintaining financial relations with the Donor, and donor reporting) is desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience in coordinating with donors on the design and implementation of climate and energy projects, as well as related reporting activities and technical missions is desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience engaging with senior-level and technical-level public sector stakeholders (e.g., Ministries, national agencies, Development Finance Institutions) in the EU and building and managing relationships is required.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (the Donor), including its structure and project design and implementation methodologies, is desirable.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the Italian Climate Fund or similar instruments, as well as experience engaging with Italian players responsible for public cooperation funds, including Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, ministries and agencies, is desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience participating in climate and energy business expos, trade fairs, and conferences in Italy (e.g., Ecomondo, Key Energy, business association events) is desirable.
  • Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI) is desirable.
  • IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) course training certification to safely conduct technical missions in conflict-affected countries is desirable.

Language:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
  • Working knowledge of Italian and French is an asset.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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