Background

Candidates who previously applied need not apply again.

Africa remains the region with the lowest ratio of hydroelectric deployment-to-potential, and the opportunities for growth are very large across the continent. However in Africa complicated competing priorities and unique vulnerabilities mean that hydropower development is not always straightforward. Significant planning, consultation, safeguards and incentives are required for hydropower development. In addition, the unique combination of inaccessibility and relatively small populations exposes countries in the Central African region to the enduring challenges that arise from lack of economies of scale, high oil prices, high transportation and communication costs, expensive public administration and infrastructure, and lack of skilled human capital. Thus the transformation of the energy sector in the Central African region to an economically viable and environmentally friendly system requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach in the design of the appropriate policy and planning frameworks and incentives to fully integrate RE technologies in way that is climate resilient and minimizes negative impacts on ecosystems.

DR Congo requires investments and incentives for the sustainable development and deployment of its hydropower potential to meet its growing energy gap. Over 70% of Congolese residents live below poverty line and only 9% have access to electric grid. For the rest, the only power supply alternative is via decentralized generators/mini-grids run on imported oil and coal. However, the costs of imports are becoming exorbitant for both importers and consumers who operate under extremely difficult and unpredictable economic and political conditions. As a result, over 60 million Congolese predominantly rely on ligneous fuels (wood, charcoal, plant residues, etc.) for their basic energy needs, a major factor in destruction of the forests and rise of GHG emissions. With envisaged steady increase in population volume and in the absence of affordable and climate-friendly power supply alternatives, GHG emissions from rural energy use in DRC are set to grow.

Given its location in the center of the immense hydrographical basin with its bodies of water covering more than 86,080 km2 and a green ocean of dense tropical vegetation receiving around 30 % of the annual precipitation for the entire African continent, DRC is blessed with nearly unlimited hydropower resources. The exploitable hydropower potential is estimated to be in the order of more than 700 TWh/year or 66% of Central Africa's potential, 35% of the whole of the continent's, and 8% of the world’s hydro potential. When expressed as firm power capacity, this is equivalent to 100GW. There is a huge gap, however, between the potential and the reality: less than 3% or 2.6 GW is currently being exploited, mainly via large Inga Dam (2.4 GW).

 In order to make the potential a reality, The UNDP-GEF Project Identification Form (PIF) “Promotion of mini & micro-hydro power plants in Congo DR” intends to design a promotion of investment in mini and micro hydropower (MHP)-based mini-grids for rural electrification in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The proposed project has four components. The first component seeks to create a market-oriented policy, institutional, legal and regulatory framework for the Renewable Energy System based electricity generation. This will include the development of political and financial instruments such as financially viable tariff for MHP-based mini-grids, concession regimes, licensing rules, PPAs, land and water use rights and Output-based Aid (OBA) Scheme.

The second component will address technical barriers to the implementation of MHP-based mini-grids. The aim is to help local manufacturers and service providers upgrade their capacity for delivering turnkey solutions for MHPs with up to 50% of the value provided by locally made goods and services.

 The third component will be facilitating the preparation and implementation of a first batch of commercial MHP-based mini-grid systems in a selection of micro-hydro power station in rural communities.

And the final fourth component will deal about public relationship and investment promotion. Scope of Work: The proposed project won a Project Preparation Grant (PPG) approved by the GEF Secretariat to prepare a Full-Sized Project (FSP) document, based on the approved project proposal concept (PIF).

Therefore, the PPG phase is considered as a preparatory phase and will need to support various data collection efforts and undertake validation of the indicative outcomes and outputs contained in the PIF; the development of a full M&E plan including appropriate indicators and baseline; and the development of a participatory plan to involve communities and government stakeholders as well as agreed on implementation arrangements and co-financing. The final output of the PPG phase should be a UNDP-GEF project document and GEF CEO Endorsement Request ready for submission to UNDP and GEF, with all required supporting annexes, tracking tools, Environmental and Social Screening Summary ESSP) and background information.

The PPG phase will include four interrelated components:

Component A: Technical review Identification of specific sites for intervention: this will includes a desktop review of all relevant documents (such as a national ATLAS/Mapping on potential sites of renewable energy) and also discussion with stakeholders in DRC. * Baseline studies: Study on feasibility as well as surveys on economic viability in the selected sites and regulatory framework as well as specification of micro/mini hydro plants and mini grids. * Studies to address any opportunities/risks identified during an environmental and social screening of the project proposal (ESSP). * Integration with development plans, policies, budgets and complementary projects: Close meeting with Government and its partners are planned in link with the implementation of Sustainable Energy for All streaming committee. These meetings will ensure that project activities take into account development plans, policies, budget and complementary project. The focus topic will be very large such as deployment of microfinance to scale up local energy demand Completion of GEF focal area tracking tool: GEF CCM Tracking Tool Stakeholder consultations during technical review: Mobilize and engage stakeholders during project design. Negotiate partnerships with on-going projects to align their activities and the project to build synergies.

Component B: Institutional arrangements, monitoring and evaluation The outputs of Component A will be used as technical input to Component B for the formulation of the UNDP-GEF project document. Finalization of project results framework: Further define the results framework with appropriate objective-level and outcome-level quantitative and qualitative SMART2 indicators, and end-of-project targets. Special attention will be made to include socio-economic and sex disaggregated indicators. Definition of monitoring and evaluation (M&E): A detailed M&E work plan will be developed, including clear identification of responsibilities and accountabilities, as well as an appropriate M&E budget. The plan will be based on the standard template provided in the UNDP-GEF project document template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy. Define sustainability plan: The sustainability plan will outline the principles and guidelines for ensuring the long-term sustainability of project achievements. It will also outline an exit strategy, seeking the continuation of key activities/achievements without the need of long-term international financing. Definition of management arrangements: The organisational structure governing the project will be decided. This will include identification of the project board. Stakeholder consultations during Component B: Involve key agencies in the development of the project strategy to ensure a strong national ownership. In close collaboration with key government representatives and other stakeholders ensure full participation in the development of the project results framework and ensure agreement on the project objectives and outcomes. Undertake consultations to secure agreement(s) on project implementation arrangements, including roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities of lead and partner agencies. Document these consultations.

Component C: Financial planning and co-financing investments: Prepare a detailed multi-year budget following the standard template provided in the UNDP-GEF project document template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy. Explore multilateral and bilateral co-financing opportunities: Undertake series of consultations with partners to ensure a coherent and sustainable financing package for the project including post- GEF grant phase. Ensure completion of required official endorsement letters: An official endorsement letter will be prepared by the GEF Operational Focal Point of the Government. A co-financing guarantee will be collected from participating government institutions, bilateral development partners, multilateral development partners and NGOs who wish to provide cash or in kind contributions to the project. Stakeholder consultations involve all the financial and technical partners and the government to ensure the cost benefit and agree on financial allocation and arrangement(s).

Component D: Validation workshop A validation workshop will gather representatives from all relevant stakeholders to present, discuss and validate the final draft project document. The PPG phase will include extensive stakeholder consultations with government entities, private sector entities, industry groups, donors and civil society organizations as part of the above-mentioned activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Approximately 45 days of total work throughout the duration of the PPG process (various tasks are expected to be done concurrently), the overall purpose of the consultancy is the preparation of a UNDP-GEF compliant Full sized project. The consultant will be expected to provide lead quality assurance as regards all activities under the project related to hydropower and climate change mitigation. The consultant will be the leader of a team gathering three local consultants. More specifically the consultant is expected to GEF Project Formulation

• Control quality of inputs and outputs of all consultants and subcontractors • Mainstream project’s problem and barrier analysis among the project planning team;
•  Help determine the project’s system boundaries and scope;
• Facilitate the Logical framework analysis workshop;
• Help in the coordination of financial mechanisms and other institutional work;
• Investigate potential options for the project’s institutional and implementation arrangements;
• Address any opportunities/risks identified during an environmental and social screening of the project proposal (ESSP) • Provide detailed information on the proposed activities;
• Develop the project’s sustainability strategy;
• Clarify the additionality of the proposed outcomes and activities, and ensure that the project approach is the most cost-effective according to GEF guidelines;
• Facilitate the process of confirming the co-funding and co-financing plan;
• Develop a detailed M&E work plan for all activities funded by climate change mitigation allocation, including clear identification of responsibilities and accountabilities, as well as an appropriate M&E budget. The plan will be based on the standard template provided in the UNDP-GEF project document template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy;
• Finalize the project results framework as regards all activities funded by climate change mitigation allocation. Further define the results framework with appropriate objective-level and outcome-level quantitative and qualitative SMART2 indicators, and end-of-project targets. Ensure that all energy related activities are in conformance with GEF V focal area guidelines and indicators. Special attention should be paid to include socio-economic and sex disaggregated indicators;
• Develop the Project Document including CEO Endorsement Request, and annexes;
• Address all comments on the project design by the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel and in the GEF review sheet. Small hydropower based mini-grids;
• Provide detailed analysis of planned investments in small hydropower based mini-grids (including financial and fiscal instruments, socio-economic interests and value chain analysis);
• Develop financial mechanisms tools, other institutional work; and demonstrate their potential sustainability and their incrementality compared to the marketing practices in place, as well as that these financial mechanisms are in line with UNDP comparative advantage (financially viable tariff, concession regimes, licensing rules, PPAs, land and water use rights and Output-based Aid Scheme, etc.);
• Analyze the country gathered data on small hydropower resource and propose suitable and adaptive technologies.

Competencies

• Proven ability to conduct detailed financial and technical analyses of project investments or activities, including calculation of estimated GHG reductions and cost-benefit analyses;
• Proven ability to prepare Log Frame Analyses (LFAs) and project budgets.
•  Basic knowledge of carbon finance tools and markets;
• Strong logical and analytical reporting and writing abilities;
• Proven communication and leadership skills;
• Excellent team player with good interpersonal skills amongst multi cultures;
• Ability to proceed plans and manage workload with minimum supervision;
• Regional and national knowledge is highly desirable; experience in Sub-Saharan Africa is an asset;
• Ability to conduct detailed quantitative GHG emission reduction calculations (direct and indirect) according to GEF policies and procedures

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Minimum of Master degree in energy, engineering, finance, economics, development or related fields. Successful applicants are expected to possess more than one of the following areas of expertise on the ground and proven experience in the respective areas of specialization in addition to the minimum qualifications specified above:
  

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in the field of climate change mitigation, i.e. with projects and policies on energy efficiency, renewable energy, technology transfer, green infrastructure or carbon finance and other climate change mitigation. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in Central Africa;
• Proven past experience in UNDP-GEF project formulation/design, including drafting of GEF-compliant project documents and endorsement requests;
• Experience with policy or institutional development/implementation/reform related particularly to energy and infrastructure investments fields;
• Experience with Climate Change Mitigation project development, implementation, or demonstrations at local, national and/or international levels;
• At least 5 years of experience in designing and/or implementing energy and infrastructure investment related mitigation activities in developing countries;
• Experience working with international organizations, including UNDP, is preferred but not required.

Language:

• English and French are essential.

Duration and location:

• 15-20 days on site -Kinshasa (DR Congo); and
• 30-25 days Home-based.

Instructions to applicants:

The documents can be dowloaded from the RFP attached to the invitation in the UNDP procurement site:  http://procurement-notices.undp.org/ (Reference number: 16525).