Energy Efficiency Project Associate
Qualifications of Energy Efficiency Project Associate:
- Location: Quito, Ecuador
- Vacancy No: 28983
- Salary: N/A
- Organization: UNDP United Nations Development Programme
- Deadline: 9/24/2025
Brief details about Energy Efficiency Project Associate:
About
Information about the organization that has offered the job:
Ecuador faces the urgent challenge of improving energy efficiency in its industrial processes as a key path to achieving the ecological transition, increasing the competitiveness of its productive sector, and reducing its carbon footprint. Within the framework of the “Green Ecuador: Promoting Sustainable Productive Development and its Financing Mechanisms” project, implemented by UNDP with funding from the European Union, strategic actions are being implemented to promote cleaner production (CP), the efficient use of resources, and the adoption of international environmental standards.
One of the project’s priority areas is energy efficiency, including circularity schemes, lifecycle analysis, waste reduction, byproduct recovery, and compliance with environmental regulations. It plans to work directly with at least 50 companies across the country in prioritized strategic sectors.
In this context, a Project Associate is required to support the implementation of the Energy Efficiency component, as well as technical monitoring of ongoing consultancies and product validation.
Scope of Work
Under the supervision of the Ecuador Verde Project Coordinator, and in coordination with the technical team of the sustainable production component, the Energy Efficiency Project Associate will have the following responsibilities:
Support the project team to ensure effective project planning and implementation.
- Compile and summarize information and data for the formulation of project work plans, draft annual/quarterly budgets, proposals for implementation arrangements, and other specific project-related issues or problems.
- Provide comprehensive support in all aspects of project implementation, in accordance with project documents, annual work plans, and other agreements between UNDP and responsible partners. Ensure the quality of delivery by consultants, beneficiaries, and contracted firms; and communicate findings to the supervisor.
- Provide management support to ensure compliance of project business processes with UNDP Project Policies and Operational Procedures (POPP) and UNDP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). When necessary, provide guidance to project staff on business processes, administrative requirements, and other requirements and procedures.
- Support the mainstreaming of gender equality into project implementation, including data collection and compilation. Prepare reference materials on gender equality for use in discussions, briefings, and correspondence.
Support partnerships and resource mobilization.
- Establish and maintain contacts and cooperation with relevant United Nations agencies, government institutions, NGOs, tertiary institutions, partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Provide support in updating the database of relevant public and development partners, as well as other stakeholders who are counterparts to the project.
- Ensure regular communication and coordination with partners, project counterparts, stakeholders, and beneficiaries; and develop and maintain effective mechanisms to integrate and respond to their comments and feedback.
- Support the creation of high-quality information and the visibility of project activities among stakeholders; and ensure that communication tools are carefully selected and messages tailored to take into account the overall sociopolitical and development context of recipient countries.
- Conduct horizon scanning and explore opportunities for resource mobilization in consultation with your direct supervisor.
Provide support for effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on project implementation progress.
- Support the implementation of the project monitoring system in line with its monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure effective information sharing, feedback, and high-quality progress reporting.
- Collect, analyze, and present information for monitoring and evaluating project implementation against project objectives, as well as for audit purposes. Identify implementation gaps and provide support to close them in consultation with the supervisor and partners.
- Support in organizing field and study visits, missions, workshops, roundtables, and conferences within the project.
- Assist in the implementation of effective project risk management with a well-documented risk mitigation plan. Support the monitoring of previously identified and emerging risks.
- Prepare and consolidate required project reports in a timely manner and in accordance with monitoring and reporting guidelines and donor requirements.
Support knowledge creation, knowledge sharing, and capacity building relevant to the assigned project.
- Participate in training sessions on internal procedures for project staff. Provide support for other capacity-building activities, including the design and delivery of tools, workshop materials, or platforms that harness the collective intelligence of communities and mobilize action.
- Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the OC and at the regional level. Stay abreast of emerging best practices at the national, regional, and international levels that relate to the assigned project work.
- Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support the collection and systematization of project knowledge, products, and tools, as well as their broad distribution to partners.
The incumbent performs other activities within his/her functional profile that are considered necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional agreement:
The Associate will be under the direct supervision of the Ecuador Verde Project Coordinator and will work in permanent coordination with the technical team of component 2 (sustainable production) and other areas of the project as required.
Skills
– Organizational skills :
Achieving results:
Level 1: Plans and monitors work, pays attention to detail, delivers quality work within the established deadline
Thinking outside the box:
Level 1: Openness to creative ideas. Solves problems pragmatically and with continuous improvement.
Continuous learning
Level 1: Open and curious mindset, share knowledge, learn from mistakes, ask for feedback
Adapt with Agility
Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity and uncertainty, shows flexibility
Act with determination
Level 1: Shows interest and motivation, is able to perform calmly in situations under pressure, shows self-confidence
Commit and Partner
Level 1: Shows compassion and understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Facilitate diversity and inclusion
Level 1: Values and respects differences, is aware of unconscious biases, and confronts discrimination.
Multidisciplinary Competencies and Technical Competencies :
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| Digital Environment | Data analysis | Ability to extract, analyze, and visualize data to obtain valuable information and contribute to effective institutional decision-making. |
| Data Literacy | Understand both the potential and limitations of data-driven innovation. Ability to use a combination of data sources (quantitative, qualitative, or real-time techniques) to understand and identify patterns that guide decision-making or identify opportunities for further analysis. | |
| Institutional direction and strategy | Strategic Thinking | Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans aligned with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on a systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities, and potential risks; connect the overall vision with the current situation to create tangible, targeted solutions; incorporate learning from diverse sources to anticipate and respond effectively to current and future trends; and demonstrate foresight. |
| Systems Thinking | Ability to use judgment and objective analysis of problems to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, as well as to analyze how changes in one element can impact other parts of the system. | |
| Audits and Investigations | Evidence collection and analysis | Ability to extract and analyze all types of important evidence, as well as to formulate reasonable inferences and conclusions. |
| Institutional Management | Resource management | Allocate and utilize resources strategically or tactically based on the company’s needs and priorities and the principles of responsibility and integrity. |
| Results-based management | Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programs, and projects focused on performance improvement and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
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| Minimum education requirements | Bachelor’s degree (completed secondary education) is required. A third-level university degree in electrical, electronic, mechanical, renewable energy, or related engineering will be favorably considered but is not a requirement. Postgraduate studies are desirable as a first-year Master’s or Advanced Specialization in Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Industrial Automation, Sustainable Production, or related areas. |
| Minimum years of relevant work experience | A minimum of six (6) years of experience (with Secondary Education) is required, or three (3) years with a university degree, in areas related to energy efficiency, electrical systems and/or technical audits. |
| Required skills (other knowledge and abilities) |
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| Desirable experience and/or skills (in addition to the skills mentioned in the skills section) |
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| Required language(s) (Level): | Fluency in Spanish is required. |
| Professional certificates (if applicable): | Training in energy auditing, ISO 50001 energy management systems, or similar will be positively valued. |
Availability to travel:
This position will be based in Quito, in the offices assigned to the project. The position requires availability to travel nationally if necessary.
The net monthly salary for this position is USD 1,821.85 + 8.33% (Social Security contribution)
Disclaimer
Important applicant information
All posts in the NPSA categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.