UNOPS

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

The East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), headquartered in Bangkok, supports UNOPS operations across 24 countries in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and the Pacific. Established in January 2023, EAPMCO provides strategic direction, operational support, and quality assurance to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of projects across its portfolio. EAPMCO implements initiatives in priority areas such as energy transition, climate change, and sustainable development, drawing on UNOPS' core expertise in human resources, procurement, infrastructure, fund management, and programme management.

The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP), a programme of UNOPS, brings together governments and philanthropies to work with partner countries in the region. We support the transition towards modern energy systems that can simultaneously ensure economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability. Enabling the transition toward greener energy systems will greatly contribute to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement objectives. 

ETP focuses on Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, which are the countries in the region with the highest energy demand, a substantial pipeline for fossil fuel-based projects, and a significant and cost-effective potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency. ETP provides high-level technical advisory support, holistic support to Governments on financing and technical needs, capacity and skill development, and facilitation of dialogues in all related areas. 

In 2024, ETP signed a contribution agreement with the European Union (EU) to administer the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE) Energy to deliver ETP-led outputs of the ASEAN Power Grid Advancement Program (APG-AP). Through SCOPE Energy, ETP has delivered key outputs to support the ASEAN Power (APG), including analytical work and identification of a pilot multilateral power trade. 

Starting in 2026, ETP will continue our support to enable a multilateral power trading (MPT) pilot project in ASEAN covering coordination, regional support, and sub-regional support for a pilot MPT.

The main purpose of this role is to ensure the successful strategic planning, implementation, and coordination of ASEAN Power Grid (APG)-related activities under the SCOPE Energy.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager of ETP, the Programme Management Advisor will be responsible for identifying and capitalizing on strategic opportunities for energy connectivity across ASEAN, leading initiatives to enhance regional collaboration, and building consensus around key energy integration goals.

The role will focus on coordinating with the key ASEAN bodies, regional organizations, and development partners to ensure the effective delivery of APG-related projects in line with ASEAN energy priorities. The incumbent will also oversee the resource mobilization efforts to support the development of the ASEAN School of Regulation, ensuring that necessary financial and technical resources are secured to meet project objectives.

The Programme Management Advisor will act as a key resource person on strategic and operational matters of energy connectivity in ASEAN, working closely with both internal and external stakeholders to deliver on the broader objectives of the APG MoU and APAEC.

Required:

• An advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) or higher degree in preferably Energy Policy, Energy Systems, Environmental Engineering, Renewable Energy, Public Policy, Climate Change, Economics, Sustainable Development, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with 7 years of relevant experience OR 

• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the above-mentioned fields with 9 years of relevant experience is required.

Required:

• Demonstrated experience in the field of supporting the implementation of technical assistance or development programs, with a focus on energy, environment, climate, or infrastructure sectors, in combination with a relevant advanced university degree, is required.

• Experience working in or with Southeast Asian countries and ASEAN is required.

• Demonstrated experience in program implementation, stakeholder coordination, or technical research and reporting in the context of cross-border power trade is required.

• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace is required.

Desired:

•  Proven ability to synthesize information from diverse sources, conduct policy and technical analysis, and contribute to the preparation of high-quality reports, presentations, and knowledge products is desirable.

• Familiarity with energy transition topics such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, grid modernization, or enabling policies and institutions is desirable.

• Experience in data collection and stakeholder mapping exercises, as well as the ability to track and monitor project outputs and results against set objectives, is desirable.

• Previous work with international organizations, UN agencies, or donor-funded programs is desirable.

• Experience with data analysis or visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, or similar) is desirable.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.