Data and Energy Planning Intern, Nairobi, Kenya

Background Information - Job-specific
UNOPS hosts Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Secretariat/Programme in Vienn...
UNOPS hosts Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Secretariat/Programme in Vienna, Austria. Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an independent organization with a global mandate to accelerate progress on the energy transition in emerging and developing countries. We work at the intersection of energy, climate, and development. We collaborate with governments and partners worldwide to end energy poverty, accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions, and combat climate change.

Our vision is a world where everyone, everywhere, can lead a dignified life on a healthy planet, powered by sustainable energy. We promote this vision by pushing for higher ambitions, stronger policies, greater finance flows, increased localization and green jobs, and faster results toward an energy transition that leaves no one behind.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Since then, our CEO has served as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy.

This position is located within the Integrated Energy Access Planning Programme.

The Integrated Energy Access Planning Programme provides technical assistance to governments to develop their Integrated Energy Access Plans (IEPs) as a way of helping high energy access-deficit countries gain a more integrated and data-driven understanding of the technologies and spending required to achieve universal energy access. IEPs can generate strategic insights into the optimal ways to expand access to not just electricity but also clean cooking, enhanced agricultural and medical cold-chains. This is for ensuring an integrated and holistic approach for achieving energy access targets. Besides this, through its Centre of Excellence, the programme also seeds the the sector with resources and innovations, e.g., better data and tools, training, global advocacy for the widespread adoption of IEPs while working with governments to showcase, implement and learn from best-in-class IEPs energy.

Under the IBM Sustainability Accelerator, the program is currently working together with IBM and DLR (German Aerospace Centre) on developing the Open Building Insights Tool (OBI Tool), which is an AI-based solution that is able to produce high-quality building footprints datasets that have the potential to support energy planning processes, such as identifying human activity, understanding urbanization and energy demand patterns, and helping the sector to better target energy access, cooling, energy efficiency and other infrastructure interventions. The tool is being developed and piloted in Kenya and India (Maharastra) and it is aimed to be applied to more geographies. The Intern is expected to support the technical developments and stakeholder engagement components of this project.

Functional Responsibilities
Main duties and tasks Supporting the IEP team on the transition phase ...
Main duties and tasks

• Supporting the IEP team on the transition phase of the OBI Tool by contributing to formulating the next phases – ensuring the sustainability of our solution, as well as attending capacity building sessions around technical developments, as needed.
• Providing technical and stakeholder engagement support on the ongoing use cases of the tool in Kenya and India.
• Support with stakeholder engagement and outreach to foster collaborations and expand tool functionality to other geographies.
• Supporting the coordination of dissemination activities around the OBI Tool and related thematic areas.
• Engaging with the Community of Practice to communicate and promote the ongoing developments of the tool, gathering relevant feedback, and looking at the potential for creating a Community of Practice around the OBI Tool in other geographies, e.g., India.
• Apart from the above-mentioned key activities, supporting and learning from other relevant activities and projects active in the program

Learning Objectives

This internship provides hands-on experience and growth opportunities in the following areas:

• Hands-on development and/or application of AI-driven tools supporting energy planning;
• Exposure to the international development sector with regional/country focus;
• Active involvement in at least one ongoing country project of the SEforALL IEP team.

Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education Applicants should have recently (in the last 3 years) grad...
Education

• Applicants should have recently (in the last 3 years) graduated with a first level or advanced university degree (Bachelors, Masters or equivalent) in technical fields such as engineering, preferably with further specialization in data science, machine learning, and business analytics and applications in the energy field.

Experience

• Applicants are not required to have prior work experience, however prior experience in data analytics and energy planning around technology products is desirable;
• Experience in Python programming is an asset.

Language

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration - Internship
Contract type: Internship Contract level: N/A Contract duration: 6 months ...
Contract type: Internship
Contract level: N/A
Contract duration: 6 months

This internship is not designed to lead to another form of contract in UNOPS. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of the internship.

Interns may be eligible for a monthly stipend as per UNOPS Internship policy, provided that they do not receive funds from other institutions.

For more details about UNOPS internships please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Internships-and-volunteering.aspx Competencies
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and enc...
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applic...

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• 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.

Terms and Conditions

• 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. For more information on a retainer contract 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.