SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)
INTRODUCTION TO GGGI
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.
GGGI has a unique in-country presence and prominent role as an independent, trusted advisor and strategic development partner embedded in Member and partner governments. This special arrangement or positioning enables GGGI to serve the role of an enabler and facilitator, providing policy advice and technical support in the development of green growth plans, policies and regulations, mobilization of green investments, implementation of green growth projects, and development of sub-national, national, regional capacities and knowledge.
GGGI works as a trusted advisor for the Government of Colombia and key stakeholders to allow the country to address strategic commitments that contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Here, GGGI partners with donor countries, multilateral institutions, government agencies and the private sector to deliver a diverse portfolio of programs through an integrated evidence-based green growth planning and implementation approach, aligned with national and subnational priorities.
In Colombia, GGGI has been supporting the just and inclusive energy transition since 2020. Through strategic support in the development of sustainable energy policy frameworks and the promotion of renewable energy projects, GGGI has supported the Ministry of Energy, the Institute for Planning and Promotion of Energy Solutions for Non-Interconnected Areas (IPSE) and selected private sector developers to advance Colombia's energy transition and provide sustainable and affordable energy solutions to vulnerable rural communities and households.
In 2026, thanks to the Mitigation Action Facility Fund, GGGI will begin implementing the project "Sustainable Power and Resilience for Colombia's Energy Communities", a project that seeks to enable the development of energy communities by generating synergies among communities, the private sector, and the financial sector, allowing further diversification of the country's energy matrix. In addition, other programs such as the Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (SPAR6C) program, funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German government, provides technical assistance to the Government of Colombia to become fully prepared to engage in Article 6 transactions, which includes conducting project analysis in the energy sector. Finally, through the Korean Green New Deal Fund (KGNDF), GGGI provides technical assistance for the development of hydrogen projects in Colombia.
GGGI aims to expand its work in the energy sector and increase the program's expertise in Colombia by strengthening the team's capacity to support various activities related to energy policy, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. These activities include supporting the GGGI Colombia team in the design of projects, programs and strategies to consolidate the Just Energy Transition agenda in Colombia within the global strategic objectives of GGGI.
POSITION SUMMARY
Based in Bogota D.C., the Sustainable Energy Senior Associate will provide technical advisory to the energy related projects, support the design of projects, programs, and strategies to consolidate the Just Energy Transition agenda in Colombia within the global strategic objectives of GGGI and strengthen engagement with counterparts and stakeholders of the following thematic areas: renewable energy, energy policy and energy efficiency.
The Sustainable Energy Senior Associate will report to the Sustainable Energy Senior Officer and have technical guidance and input from GGGI Regional Energy Lead.
PURPOSE
The Sustainable Energy Senior Associate will play a crucial role in driving the implementation of strategies and measurements to scale up the operations regarding Just Energy Transition. Under the guidance of the Sustainable Energy Senior Officer, will support project development and implementation at the national level, development of new initiatives and partnerships, and will provide assistance with current products and project components, identifying opportunities to enhance GGGI´s programmatic capacity. Additionally, the role will contribute directly to the advancement of Energy Communities by supporting the design, coordination, and execution of initiatives that promote decentralized, community-led renewable energy solutions, ensuring their integration into national strategies and enhancing their financial, regulatory, and operational feasibility.
ENGAGEMENT
- Coordinate with the Sustainable Energy Senior Officer and project managers in Colombia in developing the quality outsourcing work needed to carry out activities defined within thematic areas: renewable energy, energy policy and energy efficiency.
- Support the Colombian team in the implementation of their activities, identifying concrete opportunities for Just Energy Transition, producing high-quality deliverables, coordinating technical efforts, and delivering outputs on time.
- Closely collaborate with Regional Energy Lead and GGGI Colombia Project Managers to provide technical advice to national and subnational stakeholders on project implementation activities.
- Build and maintain cooperative relationships with national counterparts and establish the organization as an effective partner.
- Support the Colombian team in monitoring consistent/appropriate resource use, delivery proceeding on schedule, and operational demands within project parameters.
- Support the Sustainable Energy Senior Officer and Project Managers in Colombia in identifying new workstreams and developing proposals to accelerate green growth topics and meet national and subnational needs. This implies budgeting, proposal preparation, project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Advise GGGI on opportunities for engagement in the national context, demonstrating effective adaptation of the GGGI approach.
DELIVERY
- Support the Colombian program in strengthening its operations related to thematic areas: renewable energy, energy policy and energy efficiency, in compliance with institutional policies, standards, and donors’ requirements.
- Coordinate the development of feasibility studies for renewable energy projects.
- Assist in coordinating stakeholders involved in Energy Community initiatives, including community-based organizations, ESCOs, local governments, and financial institutions, to strengthen participatory and community-led energy planning.
- Contribute to the development of business models, operational frameworks, and community engagement processes that enable the long-term sustainability of Energy Communities.
- Participate in the preparation of technical studies, diagnostics, and investment assessments that support the scaling of Energy Communities as part of Colombia’s Just Energy Transition efforts.
- Support knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities focused on Energy Communities, ensuring communities and implementing partners understand available tools, models, and financing mechanisms.
- Identify Project delivery issues and ensure effective coordination of project activities and resource execution to ensure that objectives are reached alongside their established timeframes and budget.
- Support the GGGI Regional Energy Lead and GGGI Colombia Project Managers in the planning and implementation of energy projects in Colombia, ensuring alignment with institutional policies, standards and donor requirements
- Coordinate the dialogue between government officials, consultants, GGGI regional staff, and other project stakeholders (such as project’s beneficiaries or public/private companies) to ensure optimal results for energy-related projects in Colombia.
- Conduct data collection, background research and analysis to evaluate renewable energy solutions, demand and cost analysis.
- Contribute to the development of technical, economic and environmental models to design renewable energy solutions and develop the business models for energy projects in Colombia.
- Provide guidance energy projects and green growth issues and opportunities within targeted sectors at the national and subnational level in coordination with key national counterparts.
- Support resource mobilization activities to implement activities and projects related to renewable energy, energy policy and energy efficiency.
- Support the design, evaluation, and implementation of decentralized renewable energy solutions tailored for Energy Communities, ensuring technical, financial, and regulatory feasibility.
- Sustain the quality of deliverables according with GGGI standards and assure the value of products/services.
- Support the coordination of firms and individual consultants when requested.
- Prepare capacity building materials and deliver knowledge sharing workshops, consultations, and focus group discussions with key stakeholders to ensure alignment of GGGI´s service with client needs.
- Support the development of project activities results reports and facilitate internal and external communications
- Facilitate effective communication and cooperation across thematic areas and with country teams to enhance GGGI's delivery.
REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be a Colombian citizen or have a valid Work Visa.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, energy management, business administration or other related fields of study.
- Post-graduate degree or master’s degree in energy management, business administration (MBA), environmental science, or a related field will be plus.
- At least 4-5 years of professional experience in the above fields with an emphasis on renewable energy/energy policy solutions and project implementation.
- Experience working with "Energy Communities" policy and regulatory framework (e.g., CREG resolutions) is highly preferred.
- Experience in coordinating relationships with government officials, industry groups and contractors to deliver timely and high-quality results.
- Proficiency in Spanish and English is mandatory.
- Strong understanding of energy access issues, energy policy, and regulatory frameworks in Colombia.
- Experience in developing projects and programs within international cooperation, private or public sector.
- Demonstrated understanding of green growth in the context of developing countries.
- Understanding of financing mechanisms for energy projects and experience in market assessments and cost/benefit analysis are a plus.
- Experience in Colombian context, preferably on policy consultation and project development, is a plus.
- Experience in project finance, origination and development, and engaging with development partners in support of government climate change objectives;
- Strong understanding of global landscape of climate change policy and finance;
- Proven experience leading or supporting project delivery, i.e. managing/supporting the delivery of results on time and on budget.
FUNCTIONAL
- Strong command of utilizing Microsoft Excel, and other complex data management software is a plus;
- Strong analytical skills, critical thinking ability, and data mining skills.
- Able to communicate information and ideas cleary, both orally and in wirtting, using appropriate language, style, and methods depending on the audience and the purpose of communication.
- Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.
- Strong problem-solving skills, proactively ask questions,seeks support when needed and shares easily knowledge with others both internally and externally.
- Attention to detail, quality control and strong organizational abilities.
CORPORATE
- Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
- Promote the optimum use of public resources.
- Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
- Process and share information easily.
- Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily.
- Promote creativity and innovation among staff.
- Be able to lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenge.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The Sustainable Energy Senior Associate is an X7 grade level in GGGI's Colombia Salary Scale. The salary range for the position starts at USD 23,239 per annum. Determination of base salary is subject to candidate's experience, academic background and internal equity.
In addition to the base salary, the contract includes a 15% contribution toward a retirement or long-term savings plan, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance coverage (including dental and vision).
GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.
The deadline for applications will follow the official announcement and is based on Korean Standard Time (KST). Shortlisted candidates may be invited to submit a writing sample or attend a technical interview.
Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
