Mission and objectives

The UNDP Sustainable Energy Hub is a network of partners that work alongside countries to transform energy systems though an integrated agenda focused on the policy, technology and financial shifts that shape sustainable economic development. We help countries build net-zero, people-centered societies driven by a just, sustainable energy transition. Our core principle is to promote an integrated agenda that supports energy for development, including by mobilizing partners to enable 500 million additional people to have access to sustainable, reliable, affordable energy by 2025, leaving no-one behind. The global transformation of energy systems has already started, but is being altered by the current geopolitical context. However, this transformation must be accelerated, and it must be done in a way that advances the Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Energy Hub is UNDP’s answer to these challenges. To drive the systems-level change needed, the Sustainable Energy Hub aims to bring about a completely new way of thinking, doing business, connecting people and knowledge. UNDP’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan has put sustainable energy at the heart of a joint corporate mission, and UN-Energy has pledged to reaching key energy milestones by 2025. UNDP will focus efforts on mobilizing partners and catalzing action to provide access to sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy – both electricity and clean cooking – to 500 million people by 2025, focusing on the world’s poorest communities. UNDP will not do this alone – our role here is to mobilize strong, meaningful, impactful partnerships to deliver action on the ground. We aim to bring about a new way of thinking about energy and advocate for an integrated, inclusive approach, where all stakeholders participate meaningfully in its design.

Context

Bosnia and Herzegovina is at a pivotal moment in its energy transition. Coal provides a substantial share of electricity production and employment in several regions. At the same time, BiH has committed to EU accession processes, international climate agreements, and regional energy market reforms, all of which call for progressive decarbonization, modernization of the power sector, and long-term planning for economic diversification. A Just Energy Transition Strategy is being developed to guide this shift in a way that is socially inclusive, economically sustainable, regionally balanced, and aligned with sustainable development objectives. This means not only planning for cleaner energy systems, but also supporting coal-dependent communities, designing job creation pathways, improving social protection mechanisms, and ensuring meaningful dialogue among government, civil society, private sector, labor organizations, and affected local communities.

Task Description

The volunteers will support the drafting of the Just Energy Transition Strategy by conducting a concise literature review of national and international policies, programs, and just transition frameworks; compiling relevant data and evidence on energy systems, employment, regional socio-economic conditions, and community impacts in Bosnia and Herzegovina; preparing short analytical inputs on strategic approaches and system-shift priorities (e.g., economic diversification, social protection, reskilling, and stakeholder engagement); and drafting one assigned section of the Strategy (approximately 6-10 pages) in coordination with the core drafting team, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with the overall narrative and policy direction.

Competencies and values

Living conditions and remarks