Project Officer, Ghana (Retainer)

Job Highlight The Project Officer will oversee the coordination and operational delivery of high-priority initiatives within Ghana’s energy and extractive landscapes. This is a key coordination role requiring excellent project management capabilities, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and a comprehensive understanding of Ghana’s energy transition, climate finance mechanisms, and the critical minerals sector.

About The Project Office Sustainable Energy for All has a global mandate to accelerate progress on the energy transition in emerging and developing countries. Hosted by UNOPS, we work at the intersection of energy, climate and development, partnering with governments and organizations worldwide to end energy poverty, double energy efficiency, significantly expand renewable energy 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.

About The Group As part of the Global Portfolios Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of nine global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), sustainable energy (SEforALL) humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR.

Role Purpose Under the supervision of the Senior Officer, the Project Officer provides technical support and coordination for the implementation of Ghana’s Energy Transition and Investment Plan (ETIP). The role coordinates government, private sector, and development partners, ensuring accurate data for decision-making and alignment of energy models. It also supports the development of bankable energy projects and integrates industrial strategies and mineral value chains into Ghana’s broader energy transition and investment efforts. The Project Officer will interact closely with and provide cross-support to the Government of Ghana through relevant government agencies where required, serving as a primary liaison to SEforALL. The incumbent will report directly to the Senior Officer, Energy Transition Policy and Governance, SEforALL, facilitate high-level alignment between national policy objectives and international investment frameworks.

Functions / Key Results Expected Framework Development:Strategic Planning and Policy Coordination Provide primary coordination for the Ghana Energy Transition and Investment Plan (GETAPI), using the Energy Transition Framework (ETF) to develop a coherent sequencing model for national implementation. Serve as operational link for multi-stakeholder engagement, facilitating a consistent flow of information between the Government of Ghana, private sector actors, and development partners to harmonize the technical implementation of the Regional Demand-Supply Model Investment Mobilization and Pipeline Development Support the coordination of technical data collection and investment requirement gathering to assist in the development of a curated pipeline of bankable energy projects, ensuring all project documentation is organized and ready for financial review by international and domestic investors Collaborate with stakeholders to promote capital scaling and liaising with global and local financial stakeholders to design blended and local currency financing instruments, specifically aimed at scaling capital flows into the (GETAPI) vetted project portfolios. Liaise with relevant Government agencies to source, validate, and utilize high-accuracy data required for evidence-based energy policy and transition planning, ensuring that data sets are technically sound and aligned with national reporting standards. Mineral Value Chain and Industrial Linkages Identify and coordinate midstream processing opportunities for critical minerals (e.g., lithium hydroxide, alumina) to align the mining sector with renewable energy technology manufacturing goals. Support the technical development of integrated strategic plans at the intersection of minerals and energy, ensuring that national industrial data and manufacturing strategies are accurately reflected within broader energy transition objectives and investment guides. Multi-Stakeholder Engagement and Market Development Coordinate relationships between the Government of Ghana, DFIs, and the private sector to harmonize the Ghana Regional Demand-Supply Model and stimulate investment. Engage with industry associations and parastatals to catalyze the nascent renewable energy manufacturing sector, identifying market opportunities for local value chain development and mineral beneficiation. Facilitate investor dialogues focused on removing regulatory bottlenecks and supporting the design of public financing mechanisms to de-risk the Ghanaian energy sector.

Required Education Requirements Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Renewable Energy, Climate Policy, Energy,Natural Resource Management, Economics, Public Policy with 2 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 0 years of relevant experience. Desired Professional certification in Project Management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) or Sustainable Finance Required Experience Requirements A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in the energy, minerals, and/or investment sectors. Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement within the energy, manufacturing, and investment sectors. Proven coordination and relationship-building capabilities in a professional setting. Desired Relevant experience working with or providing technical support to The Government of Ghana agencies such as the Energy Commission or the Ministry Of Energy And Green Transition Practical experience in developing investment pipelines, curating project inventories (like the GETAPI), or designing blended finance/local currency instruments. Experience working within a multilateral organization, international NGO, or a Secretariat-style environment (e.g., UN, World Bank, AfDB). Experience supporting complex projects using structured methodologies (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2), including coordinating with government institutions, development partners, and private sector stakeholder.