Programme Description

Moldova is part of the European Union’s European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the Eastern Partnership (EaP) framework, which aim to strengthen regional cooperation between the EU and its neighbouring countries. As a Contracting Party to the Energy Community Treaty since 2010 and following the 2014 Association Agreement with the EU—including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)—Moldova has progressively aligned its energy and environmental legislation with EU standards.

The energy crisis, triggered by the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent disruption of regional energy supply chains, exposed Moldova’s vulnerability as a heavily import-dependent energy market. The crisis accelerated the Government’s efforts to diversify energy sources, enhance system resilience, and reduce geopolitical dependence. Energy security and affordability emerged as urgent national priorities, with reforms embedded across key strategic and legislative frameworks.

A major milestone was reached on 16 March 2022, when Moldova successfully synchronized its electricity transmission system with the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), enhancing system stability and enabling integration into the EU electricity market.

In parallel, Moldova’s EU accession process gained momentum—application for membership was submitted in March 2022, candidate status granted in June 2022, and accession negotiations formally launched in June 2024, following a constitutional referendum that endorsed the country’s EU integration path. Moldova is now required to align its legal and policy frameworks with the EU acquis Communautaire, particularly in energy, climate, and environmental domains.

The Government has prioritized structural reforms in the energy sector—focusing on scaling renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and strengthening regulatory frameworks. These reforms are closely tied to Moldova’s commitments under the EU Clean Energy for All Europeans package, the Energy Community acquis, and the conditionalities set out in the Reform Agenda under the EU's Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova.

In this context, UNDP and the Government co-designed the Accelerating a Just Energy Transition in the Republic of Moldova programme (JET Programme) in July 2023. This programme supports national efforts to tackle the current energy crisis, address energy poverty, and strengthen institutional capacities—ensuring a fair, inclusive, and sustainable energy transition that meets Moldova’s long-term development and EU integration goals. Promotion of the Renewable Energy Communities is an integral part of the JET Programme, within the programme’s key intervention area aimed at Strengthening Inclusive Energy Governance. This key intervention area aims at strengthening the capacity of relevant institutions and stakeholders to effectively govern and manage the energy sector; one of the main activities under this area is empowering the communities with establishing and operationalising the Renewable Energy Communities. 

Moldova's legal framework for renewable energy is established by Law No. 10/2016 on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources, subsequently amended by Laws No. 331/2023 and No. 229/2024 to partially transpose EU Directive 2018/2001 on renewable energy (RED II), introducing the concept of renewable energy communities into the national primary legislation. The regulatory framework was further consolidated by the Regulation on Renewable Energy Communities adopted through ANRE Decision No. 743/2024 of December 24, 2024.

With the first pilot Energy Communities, created in the framework of the UNDP “Resilient Communities through women empowerment” project (ResCom2), it is intended to scale up adoption of renewable energy through inclusive community-driven initiatives in the energy sector. The pilot ork on the Energy Communities within the ResCom2 project is financed from the Third UNDP-Italy Financial Agreement (FA3).

The Project Analyst will be responsible for implementing the Outcome 3 of the 3rd Financing Agreement between UNDP and the Directorate General for Development Co-operation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (the Financing Agreement being implemented as a part of the JET Programme).

Specifically, the Outcome 3 “Increased adoption of renewable energy through inclusive community-driven initiatives in the energy sector” (hereinafter referred as ‘Outcome 3’) is aimed at ensuring that local community’s benefit from comprehensive awareness, capacity and participation in the adoption of RE solutions. Moreover, dedicated activities to strengthen capacities of National Center for Sustainable Energy (CNED) and other relevant institutions in the development and implementation of financial instruments for REC formation, particularly focusing on women-led RECs are envisaged.

Scope of Work

The Project Analyst applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

The Project Analyst/Energy Communities, in close cooperation with the UNDP Country Office and all relevant stakeholders, incl. Ministry of Energy, CNED, Agencies for Regional Development, local public authorities (LPAs), and other relevant stakeholders, will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the initiative) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients through applying human rights-based (HRBA) and gender equality (GE) approaches, specifically:  

• Ensuring effective content and coordination of the activities related to capacity building, awareness and outreach; 
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and promote awareness for the energy communities practices scaling up; 
• Develop Work Plan, periodic narrative progress and final reports and expenditures status reports and submit to the supervisor;  
• Ensure the timely and efficient delivery of the Outcome 3 outputs and products, as per the JET Programme Document and the Result Framework of the 3rd Financing Agreement between UNDP and the Directorate General for Development Co-operation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leading to the achievement of expected results;
• Ensure the implementation of the activities under the Outcome 3 work plan according to indicators for achieving planned results, as well as the overall management of the Outcome 3 in line with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures; 
• Support the efficient management of the Outcome 3 financial resources, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting; 
• Continuously record and maintain Outcome 3 issues and risks and suggest mitigation measures. 
• Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study visits and related activities relevant to the implementation of the Outcome 3; 

Institutional Arrangement

Under the direct supervision of the JET Programme Manager  and in close collaboration with ResCom 2 Project Manager and JET Programme Analyst; and with overall guidance from the UNDP Programme Specialist/Climate Change, Environment and Energy (EECC) Cluster Lead, the Project Analyst/Energy Communities, shall contribute to an effective and efficient implementation of the Outcome 3 contributing to stakeholders’ engagement, activities implementation and support with M&E.  The Project Analyst will ensure the provision of development services and products commensurate with the scope of the Programme and assigned area of responsibility of the highest quality and standards to national and local counterparts and clients through applying HRBA and GE approaches. 

The Project Analyst will work in close cooperation with the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex project/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems. 

Competencies

Core 

Achieve results - LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively - LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements  

Learn Continuously - LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback 

Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible  

Act with determination - LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner - LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships 

Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination  

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies  

Business Management - Results-based Management     

• Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. 
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Business Management - Project Management     

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business Direction & 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 - Monitoring & Evaluation    

• Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; 
• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. 
• Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. 
• Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Digital - Agile' methodologies and practices     

• Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement.  
• Ability to manage a self-organizing cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. 
• Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context. 

Digital - Solutions mapping    

• Ability to engage and build rapport with vulnerable communities and  get consent, facilitate participatory processes and navigate intricate  power relations and cultural dynamics.
• Having the sensitivity and ability to identify grassroots solutions, capacities, assets, coping strategies that impacted communities have developed or used to address (emerging) development challenges.
• Being able to understand these solutions from a people's perspective and learn about the conditions that enable or prevent communities from developing such grassroots solutions or coping mechanisms.
• Understand how solutions and needs are paired, and how grassroots solutions can be used as an entry point to identify unaddressed or unmet development challenges and how to use these insights to inform policy design.
• Ability to appreciate and integrate various sources of knowledge (academic, experiential, observational, traditional, indigenous) in problem solving processes. 
• Set up structures and processes to collect ideas, solutions and facilitate matchmaking between supply and demand of solutions.

Partnership Management - CSO Engagement    

• Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs. 

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Academic Education:       

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Energy; Business Administration or other closely related fields is required, or  
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master`s degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience: 

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of progressively acquired experience in project implementation, preferably in the energy sector and climate change fields.    
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems. 

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section: 

• Relevant professional experience of engagement with a large variety of national and local stakeholders in energy area (public, private, LPAs, central public authorities, mass-media etc); 
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for NGOs, academia, a donor organization, development partners, UN Agencies.
• Prior experience with UNDP consultancy and/or project implementation is an asset. 
• Familiarity and prior experience with the donors requirements and procedures; 
• Demonstrated ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy is desired. 
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results and deadlines in a timely manner, maintaining a high standard throughout is desired.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in Romanian, English and Russian is required.  
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset. 

Professional Certificates:     

• Additional training and certification in project management and/or business administration would be an advantage. 

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.