UNDP Jobs - 54996- National Expert on Utilization of Renewable Energy

National Expert on Utilization of Renewable Energy Technologies - (Open to Thai Nationals Only)

Location :

Home-based with travel to Mae Hong Son (maximum 2 trips)

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-May-2015

Application Deadline :

06-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

During May - July 2015

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Despite the government’s commitment to renewable energy (RE), there have been constraints to the wider and more sustained application of RE technologies in Thailand, the UNDP/GEF-supported Project on Promoting Renewable Energy in Mae Hong Son aims to overcome barriers that currently prevent widespread and sustainable utilization of the RETs for the provision of energy services in rural areas of Thailand.

The project works in Mae Hong Son province, which the Ministry of Energy has identified as its target to be the first energy self-sufficient province in Thailand, in conformity with the King’s sufficiency economy concept. The project facilitates an integrated RE planning process at provincial and local levels, in order to translate targets set at national level to local level and into real action. Various new approaches, concept and policies will be developed and applied, e.g. new ownership models for RE systems and loan management to be endorsed by the government and applied elsewhere in Thailand. Furthermore information on existing incentives/policies for RE promotion which are available but sometimes seldom used will be disseminated and promoted. The project will also contribute to the broader Goal of reducing GHG emissions in Thailand. The 4 project components deal with (a) institutional capacity development for planning and implementing RE programmes; (b) access to financing; (c) technical training and education and (d) policies for up-scaling and replication.

This 5-year project has started the implementation in 2011. The project is currently half-way and as suggested by a mid-term review team the project has been reformulated to better respond to the changing circumstances in the legal and regulatory environment in the province.

For the second phase of the project, UNDP Thailand is recruiting a Utilization of Renewable Energy Technologies Expert to conduct surveys, prepare technical groundworks, and recommend potential service delivery models for the sustainable utilization of two types of RE technologies: solar home systems/solar lanterns and improved cook stove in Mae Hong Son.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of the assignment

To conduct surveys, prepare technical groundworks, and recommend potential service delivery models for the sustainable utilization of two types of solar home systems/solar lanterns and improved cookstove, focusing but not limit to, three project target’s areas in Muang, Khun Yuam and Pai districts, Mae Hong Son province to:

identify barriers that hamper the sustainable utilization of RE technologies among the MHS rural poor with particular to the rehabilitation of their ruined solar home systems, the adoption of solar lanterns and the use of household energy efficient cooking stoves (or improved cookstove);
identify support mechanisms such as policies, credit and/or financial interventions, market models, capacity development activities, etc. that will help remove the defined barriers and enhance the sustainable utilization of those RE technologies.

Scope of Work

In close collaboration with the National Project Manager, the Chief Technical Advisor, and UNDP Programme Specialist, the Expert will provide technical support on the sustainable utilization of two identified RE technologies with scope of work as follows:

Initial technical preparation for the rehabilitation and sustainable utilization of solar home systems (SHS) and the solar lanterns in MHS:

Identify barriers that hamper the rehabilitation of the ruined community SHSs and the sales of solar lanterns among the MHS rural poor/ethnic groups;
Identify support mechanisms such as policies, credit and/or financial interventions, market models, capacity development activities, etc. that will help remove the defined barriers;
Develop a service delivery model for the sustainable utilization of the rehabited SHSs and the sales of solar lanterns among the MHS rural poor/ethnic groups.

Initial technical preparation for the sustainable utilization of the improved cookstoves in MHS:

Identify barriers that hamper the sustainable utilization of the household energy efficient cooking stoves or improved cookstoves (ICS) among the MHS poor/ ethnic groups;
Carry-out consumer and market assessment of the ICS in the project’s target areas;
Identify support mechanisms such as policies, credit and/or financial interventions, market models, capacity development activities, etc. that will help remove the defined barriers;
Develop a service delivery model for the sustainable utilization of the ICS among the MHS poor/ethnic groups

Final Products:

A study report on Utilization of Renewable Energy Technologies which included barriers that hamper the sustainable utilization of the solar home systems, the adoption of solar lanterns, and the use of household improved cook stove, support mechanisms/models that will help remove the defined barriers and enhance the sustainable utilization of those RE technologies.

Contract Duration:

During May – July 2015.

Duty Station:

Home-based with travel to Mae Hong Son (maximum 2 trips).

Provision of Monitoring and Progress Controls:

The Expert will report to the National Project Manager and the Programme Specialist of the Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development Unit, UNDP Thailand.

Documents to be included when submitting proposal:

Interested individual consultant must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate your qualifications:

Proposal: Brief proposal explaining why you are the most suitable for this consultancy and confirmation on availability to take up assignment for the whole period;
Financial proposal: The financial proposal must indicate Lump sum professional fee in Thai Baht (THB); To submit Financial Proposal, please use Template of Submission of Financial Proposal provided in Annex I;
Personal CV and/or P.11 including past experience in similar projects and the name and contact details of 3 references.

Financial Proposal:

Professional Fee:

The contract will be based on Lump sum payment including Professional Fee and all Travel related expenses. The financial proposal will specify the Lump sum professional Fee (with breakdown of Daily fee x number of working day) and lump sum travel related expenses (with breakdown of all travel related expenses) in Thai Baht (THB). The payments will be made to the Individual Consultant based on the completion of the deliverables indicated in the TOR. To submit Financial Proposal, please use Template of Submission of Financial Proposal provided in Annex I.

Evaluation:

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight; 70%

Experience related to services: 40 points;
Qualification, Expertise & Availability: 30 points

Financial Criteria weight; 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 350 technical points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Proven knowledge in research methodology and rural market analysis;
Familiarised with government institutions and coordination mechanism;
Good understanding of cultural-sensitive working approach, especially with ethnic communities;
Familiarity with rural technologies, renewable energy activities and development complexities in Mae Hong Son is a strong advantage;
Familiarity with working procedures of an international is an advantage.

Client Orientation

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client;
Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Developing tools and mechanisms:

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

An Advanced degree in a field related to economics, social sciences, development studies or related fields.

Experience:

At least 3 years of research and development experiences in the field of sio-economic, grassroot economy, market analysis, rural/micro-financing, rural development planning;
Experiences working with projects with multi-stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector, CSOs, local communities and international organizations;
Experience with UNDP/GEF projects is an advantage.

Language:

Fluency in English is essential.

Application:

Please find more details on website: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=21299.