Background

UNDP supports the Government of India in its vision to achieve faster, and more inclusive growth. Guided by the Millennium Development Goals and the vision of the Eleventh Five Year Plan, UNDP promotes social, economic and political inclusion for the most disadvantaged.  The UNDP Energy and Environment (E&E) Unit works towards the goal of low-carbon, climate resilient development in India. The E&E unit supports the Indian Government to meet national commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention to Combat Desertification and the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change. The unit builds national capacity for conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, for expanding access to clean energy, for energy efficiency and management of polluting chemicals.

Cross-cutting themes of specific interest are capacity development, inclusion, technical support and South-South cooperation. In the thematic area of ‘Energy and Environment’, UNDP works in close alignment with the National Action Plan for Climate Change on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

On these sub-themes, UNDP works with the national and state governments, with local governments and community institutions and with NGOs and technical support agencies. On renewables, the objective is to expand access to, and provision of renewable energy, for poverty reduction and reducing GHG emissions. A range of technologies is supported, including bioenergy, solar power and thermal applications, small hydropower and related applications. On energy efficiency, UNDP works on specific sectors/technologies with major energy consuming industries and on major uses such as electricity and transportation.

United Nations Development Programme / Global Environment Facility (UNDP/GEF) is supporting a project titled “Removal of Barriers to Biomass Power Generation in India” in India through Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Govt. of India.

Brief Description of Project:

The objective of this project is to remove barriers to the increased use of biomass energy sources for generating electricity for own consumption and export to the grid.  This project aims to accelerate the adoption of environmentally sustainable biomass power and cogeneration technologies in India.  It will promote combustion, gasification and cogeneration technologies for electricity generation using different types of captive and distributed biomass resources.  The project will focus on biomass power projects to be undertaken in three different specific contexts: cooperative sugar mills; agro-processors and biomass producers; and distributed or decentralized biomass.  The project strategy is to focus attention on a limited set of States that have plentiful biomass supplies and favorable policy and regulatory environments.  It will be accompanied by technical assistance focused on removing the remaining technical, regulatory and institutional barriers to widespread use of biomass power.  The project will provide technical assistance and investment support in a limited number of states.

For more details on project (project document and other relevant documents) refer to the link http://www.in.undp.org/content/india/en/home/operations/projects/environment_and_energy/removal_of_barrierstobiomasspowergenerationinindiaphasei.html

The Project has the following outcomes:

• Technology Package Benchmarking and Validation for different bio-mass power technologies;
• Enhanced capacities and confidence of project promoters, financial institutions, regulators, policy makers, SNAs, other Stakeholders through effective Information development & dissemination program, along with capacity building initiatives;
• Development of business, commercial and support services networks in focused states;
• Creation of Fund for Contingent Financing;
• Model Investment Projects (MIPs).

The Project is being executed by Project Management Cell (PMC) set up at MNRE.  National Project Director (NPD) is the head of PMC and National Project Coordinator (NPC) is responsible for overall implementation of project. The National Project Manager (NPM) assists NPC to implement the project. The Executive Committee (EC) of the Project and Steering Committee (SC) of the Project shall guide PMC from time to time.  The proposed Technical Officer shall work in PMC and report to NPC/NPM and PO-EEU at UNDP.

A Technical Officer is required to assist NPC/NPM in coordinating and conducting following functions/responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Major function of the TO is to assist NPC and NPM to implement the project on time. The functions are outlined as below:

• Support NPC/NPM in implementing Project Activities:
• Project implementation includes implementing activities as decided in annual work plans.;
• Directly implementing the activities or liaising with vendors to complete appropriate deliverables as per agreements;
• Review the milestones submitted by them:

List of activities to be outsourced are listed below for which facilitation and due diligence needs to be provided;            

• Biomass Solar-thermal Hybrid for power generation;
• Study on dedicated Energy Plantation;
• Study on Socio-economic-environment impact of biomass power generation;
• Any other activity as decided by NPC/NPM.

Facilitate and carry out due diligence of the following activities for implementation of MIPs:

• Preparation of Terms of References, Expression of Interest, Request for Proposals and other procurement documents;
• Evaluation of Project proposals, detailed project reports and technical reports;
• Carry out field visits to monitor MIPs, data collection, analysis;
• Study and document business models and implementation models of MIP;
• Any other activity as decided by NPC/NPD.

Assist NPC/NPM in reporting. Provide inputs/drafting reporting:

• Draft Monthly/ Quarterly/Annual Progress Reports of the Project in the formats required. Support other reporting required by the GoI and UNDP/GEF;
• Assist NPC/NPM in organising meetings/workshops. Prepare minutes/proceedings: Draft background notes, agenda to the meetings, follow up with stakeholders for participation. Draft minutes/proceedings of the meetings and workshops;

Carry out tasks assigned by NPC/NPM relevant to the project:

Supervision and Collaboration:

The Technical Officer shall report to NPC/NPM. TO shall also be required to travel to various places within India. TO will be located in space identified by Implementing Partner (MNRE).

• S/he will work under the supervision of NPC/NPM of MNRE –UNDP/GEF Project and Programme Analyst, UNDP;
• S/he will work in collaboration with colleagues in MNRE and EEU, UNDP.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:  

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Integrity and Confidentiality.

Functional Competencies:

• Proficient in word, Excel, internet;
• Ability to work under strict deadlines and in a team;
• Excellent written English skills, able to produce high-quality reports, advisories, etc., within tight deadlines.

Client Orientation

• Ensuring overall provision of timely quality services.

Job knowledge and technical expertise

• Demonstrating and applying professional and/or technical expertise/knowledge required of the post.

Documentation skills

• Possess very good skills to prepare documentation of high technical quality.

Logical Framework Analysis

• Should be familiar with project management/project implementation/ monitoring tools such as LFA.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Essential:  Masters in Engineering from a recognized University or Institute is essential;
• Desirable: Post graduate in Environment Engineering, Renewable Energy Technology or Management,Energy Manager or Energy Auditor or any other such certification.

Experience:

• Essential: Minimum experiences of 5 years the field of energy preferably renewable energy projects;
• Desirable: Experience in setting, operationalizing & monitoring Biomass Power Plants.

Language:

• Fluency in spoken English and Hindi.