Job Description

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme:

The UNDP JPO Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world. As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionals excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development, while providing a valuable entry point into the United Nations system.

During their assignments, JPOs benefit from the guidance of experienced UNDP staff and are actively involved in supporting the design and implementation of UNDP’s programmes at headquarters, regional, or country office level. Each JPO embarks on a journey of professional and personal growth, building the skills required for a career in multilateral development.

JPOs are expected to aspire to a global career, particularly in field-based organizations supporting national development agendas. Each JPO works as part of a team under the supervision of an experienced UNDP staff member, with structured guidance and feedback, a work plan, and access to learning and training opportunities. Annual Performance Reviews (APR) are conducted, including learning and development objectives.

JPOs benefit from the following learning and development opportunities:

Participation in a virtual Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first four to six months of the assignment.
Access to an annual JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide.
Ongoing masterclasses on relevant and inspiring themes.
Career development support mechanisms and activities.
Networking with fellow JPOs, young professionals, and senior UNDP colleagues.
Mentoring programme.
Other training and learning opportunities.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme:

JPOs benefit from the following learning and development opportunities:

Participation in a virtual Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first four to six months of the assignment.
Access to an annual JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide.
Ongoing masterclasses on relevant and inspiring themes.
Career development support mechanisms and activities.
Networking with fellow JPOs, young professionals, and senior UNDP colleagues.
Mentoring programme.
Other training and learning opportunities.

Viet Nam

Located in Southeast Asia, Viet Nam is among the countries most affected by global climate change, and numerous studies highlight the significant risks and impacts it faces in the coming decades.

Since the early 2010s, the Government of Viet Nam has promulgated a series of national strategies and action plans on climate change, green growth, and low-carbon sustainable development. At the 26^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (COP26) in Glasgow, the Prime Minister announced Viet Nam´s ambition to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Viet Nam also endorsed global commitments on phasing out coal, reducing methane emissions, and halting and reversing deforestation by 2030. Delivering on these pledges will require an all-of-government approach, reducing fossil fuel consumption across industry, transport, construction, agriculture, and fisheries.

Just Energy Transition Partnership

Viet Nam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), launched in December 2022 with the International Partners Group (IPG), aims to mobilize $15.5 billion over 3–5 years to support the country’s Net Zero 2050 goal. The partnership focuses on building a robust legal framework for green transition, decarbonizing the electricity system, expanding renewable energy, and creating green jobs. The Viet Nam JETP Resource Mobilization Plan (JETP-RMP), introduced at COP28, guides investment priorities and technical assistance, and is regularly updated by the JETP Secretariat and Working Groups.

Established on 14 July 2023 by the Prime Minister, the Secretariat to Implement Political Declaration on Establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership will support the development of the Viet Nam JETP-RMP that will identify the new investment requirements and opportunities for Viet Nam’s Just Energy Transition. The Secretariat shall mobilize scientists from relevant ministries with relevant expertise to join the JETP Working Groups at the request of the Leaders to support and assist the Secretariat when necessary. The Secretariat will function as a Working Group to support the Prime Minister to coordinate activities related to the JETP Declaration, as well as collaborate with the IPG to implement the JETP Declaration.

UNDP Viet Nam

As of 2025, UNDP marks 47 years of engagement in Viet Nam. Over nearly five decades, UNDP has supported Viet Nam’s transformation from post-war recovery to a dynamic lower-middle-income nation, steadily progressing towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2015-2030.

UNDP continues to collaborate closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Government of Viet Nam, line ministries, local governments, the Party, the National Assembly, and related commissions. Partnerships also extend to the private sector, national research institutes and think tanks, and civil society organisations at various levels, reflecting a comprehensive and inclusive approach to sustainable development.

UNDP provides advisory services, capacity-building, technical assistance, and policy support in the following priority areas:

Governance and participation;
Inclusive growth;
Climate change mitigation and adaptation;
Environmental protection; and
Enabling a just and equitable energy transition.

These priorities are delivered through multi-year programmatic cycles, currently articulated in the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022-2026, which continues to serve as the central framework for UNDP’s strategy in Viet Nam.

Building on its long-standing partnership, UNDP Viet Nam is prioritizing support to the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), the JETP Secretariat, and the Energy-Social Accounting Matrix (E-SAM) initiative. These efforts aim to mobilize international finance and technical expertise to accelerate Viet Nam’s energy transition while ensuring equity, social protection, and economic opportunities.

Position Purpose - The JPO on Climate Change

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Analyst on Climate Change and the overarching guidance of the Head of the Climate Change, Energy, and Environment Unit (CCEU), the JPO will provide day-to-day technical support on Viet Nam’s energy transition, with a specific focus on the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), the Secretariat functions, and support to E-SAM initiative. In addition, the JPO will contribute to UNDP’s wider Climate Change and Environment portfolio, ensuring synergies between JETP outcomes and broader climate priorities, including NDC implementation, climate finance, adaptation and resilience, and integrated policy support under the UNDP Climate pillar.

The JPO will work closely with CCE colleagues, programme and project staff in the Country Office, global and regional Advisers, and government counterparts (especially MOIT). The role will support UNDP’s contribution to the JETP Secretariat, strengthen analytical underpinnings of Viet Nam’s transition through E-SAM, and ensure integration of JETP outcomes into Viet Nam’s wider climate change and energy transition agenda, including its NDCs and net-zero roadmap.

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 Accountabilities

Provision of technical support for the monitoring and implementation of JETP

Support UNDP in assisting MOIT with monitoring JETP implementation, focusing on GHG reduction contributions and alignment with national targets.
Compile, review, and analyse JETP project data, including maintaining a master list of projects, factsheets, progress reports, and evidence-based monitoring tools.
Present and visualize JETP-related data for communication and reporting to MOIT, IPG, GFANZ, and other partners.
Apply analytical tools (including energy system modelling where relevant) to estimate the proportional contribution of JETP measures, in collaboration with national institutions.
Contribute to the policy applications of E-SAM to strengthen Viet Nam’s evidence base on energy transition pathways.
Support preparation of the “Biennial JETP Review”, including baselines, progress tracking, and cumulative GHG reduction assessment, in collaboration with relevant government institutions.
Prepare technical notes and summaries of analytical findings for internal use and partner discussions

Support for JETP Secretariat and strategic dialogues

Assist in preparing technical briefs to inform JETP Secretariat decision-making on strategic programmatic priorities and investment portfolio.
Develop briefing materials, talking points, and background notes for consultations, workshops, and high-level dialogues under the JETP Secretariat.
Support the organization, facilitation, and documentation of JETP technical discussions with MOIT, IPG, GFANZ, and other partners.
Contribute to the analysis of investment options and prioritization of projects within the JETP portfolio, including assessment of financial and climate impacts. Provide research support on international good practices and lessons learned from other JETP countries to inform Viet Nam’s Secretariat and policy design.

Contribution to UNDP’s broader Climate & Energy portfolio

Contribute technical inputs to cross-cutting climate initiatives, including NDC support, net-zero roadmap, and climate finance.
Provide research and analytical inputs on emerging areas under the Climate pillar, such as nature-based solutions, resilience, and adaptation.
Collaborate with colleagues working on governance, inclusive growth, and other pillars to ensure integrated programming.

Facilitate knowledge management, policy advocacy, and visibility

Promote UNDP’s visibility and leadership in energy transition and JETP through preparation of technical papers, policy briefs, and scenario modelling of distributional impacts of energy policies.
Liaise with Danish Statistics and other partners to improve Viet Nam’s energy account and explore complementary cooperation with UNDP.
Contribute to UNDP’s broader CCE agenda where synergies exist, particularly linking JETP and E-SAM outcomes to NDC implementation, climate finance, and net-zero targets

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

Requirements:

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Studies, Natural Sciences, Energy, Transport, Economics, Development, Public Policy, or related field is required.
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

Required

A minimum of two (2) years (with master’s degree) or four (4) years (with bachelor’s degree of relevant experience in climate change, energy transition, or related fields is required.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of international best practices in energy transition, low-carbon development, and climate policy is required.
Experience in project design, monitoring, and evaluation is required.

Desired

Familiarity with multilateral organizations, preferably UNDP or other UN agencies is desired.
Experience working in Viet Nam or Southeast Asia is desirable.
Proficiency in standard office software (Office Suite) is desired.

Language

Fluency in English is required (writing, speaking, presentation).

Nationality

Under the UNDP JPO programme framework, the following position is open ONLY to nationals of Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Myanmar, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam. For the full requirements and information about the JPO Programme, please visit: https://www.undp.org/jposc

Educational degree

The first educational degree (Bachelor’s) must be obtained in one of the eight countries mentioned above.

Attachments:

A brief motivation letter in English that explains why you're the perfect candidate for the position by using examples of your interests and achievements
Copy of your passport(s)
Copy of your educational degrees (Bachelor and/or Master)

The successful candidate would need to start within one month of the recruitment outcome.

The government of Denmark is funding this role for one year. Any possibility of a further 12-month extension is subject to organisational need, funding availability and performance.

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.

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.

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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