UNDP Jobs - 59780- International Consultant/Lead Technical Advisor P

International Consultant/Lead Technical Advisor Project “Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) for Low-carbon End-use Sectors in Azerbaijan”

Location :

Baku, AZERBAIJAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2015

Application Deadline :

18-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

5 years

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

The Republic of Azerbaijan is in the South Caucasus region. It borders with Iran (765 km) and Turkey (15 km) in the South, Russia (390 km) in the North, Georgia (480 km) in the North-west and Armenia (1007 km) in the West, and covers a territory of 86,600 km². Azerbaijan is on the western coast of the Caspian Sea; it has a coastline of 713 km and has been an important trade and transport point since the beginning of commerce along the Great Silk Road.

Azerbaijan’s population is approximately 9.5 million (March 2014) and this has been increasing regularly each year. The territory of Azerbaijan consists of 66 districts and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The main cities are Baku, Ganja, Sumgayit, Shemakhy, Sheky, Khankendy and Shusha. Baku, the capital, is situated on the shore of the Caspian Sea in the south of the Absheron peninsula. It covers an area of 2,200 km² and has a population of around 2,5 million inhabitants.

As an oil- and gas-rich country, Azerbaijan has been extracting these resources for industrial purposes for more than 160 years. The extraction of oil has increased for the past 5 years. There is one gas and two oil refinery plants in the country. The capacity of the oil refining plants is about 20 million tons. However, since these plants have become obsolete, the level of gasoline production has diminished. In April 2014 the State Committee on Metrology and Standards together with the Tariff Council raised by 25% the price for the premium gasoline, simultaneously prohibiting selling of local high octane gasoline gasoline, as there is no technical capacity to produce premium gasoline within the country. Therefore, all premium gasoline is currently imported to the country and sold at liberalized prices. At present, most crude oil extracted in the country is exported to foreign countries. There are three pipelines intended for oil export: Baku-Novorosiysk, Baku-Supsa, and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan. In 2007, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline was launched for facilitating gas export.

Presently, there are 57 oil fields in Azerbaijan, of which 18 are located in the Azerbaijani share of the Caspian Sea. The biggest potential sources of GHG in the oil and gas sector are Azneft Production Unity, Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery, and AzerNeftYag Oil and Gas Refinery.

The State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) is a state-owned oil and gas company and is responsible for all aspects of offshore and onshore exploration of oil and gas fields in the country, the pipeline system, oil and gas imports and exports, processing, refining and sale of oil and gas products.

Due to the rapidly growing GDP and energy saving measures, the energy intensity will decrease, but the total GHG emissions are expected to double between 1990 and 2025. Also Azerbaijan has identified the need for developing renewable energy resources, with particularly large potentials in the areas of wind, solar, hydro and biomass sources of energy. Concrete projects have started on small hydropower plants, wind and biogas, and other initiatives are underway in collaboration with the EU, Asian Development Bank (co-financed by the Government of Finland), KfW, and EBRD.

Azerbaijan’s baseline emissions are projected to grow nearly two-fold and reach 115.6 Mt CO2 by 2025, starting from about 60.8 MtCO2 in 1990 (according to Azerbaijan’s First National Communication to UNFCCC – 2001) primarily as a result of increased domestic consumption of oil & gas and corresponding increase of energy end-use in the residential, power and transportation sectors.

The specific objective of the project is to support SOCAR in the implementation of its Climate Change Mitigation Strategy by promoting and upscaling GHG mitigation measures through a programmatic NAMA (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions) approach in the low-carbon end-use sectors, where pilot investments will be directed into low energy and low carbon technologies that are so far missing on a large scale on the Azeri market. Based on the outcomes of the NAMA Programme a national commitment for an improved political and institutional framework including required capacities will be targeted; as a result, the country will be able to utilise this experience gathered with new energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to reduce its GHG intensity across main sectors.

The project will constitute of four components, as follows:

Component 1: Assessment of GHG emission mitigation potentials and target setting;
Component 2: Development of mitigation actions (NAMAs) and instruments in oil & gas end-use sectors;
Component 3: Implementation of NAMAs in the oil & gas end-use sector;
Component 4: MRV system and national registry for mitigation actions in the energy generation and end-use sectors.

In order to achieve the specific purpose, the project is expected to deliver the following outputs under the above mentioned outcomes:

Outcome 1:

a) Defining relevant barriers that hinder the development and implementation of GHG mitigation measures assessed;
b) Analyzing main oil & gas end-use sectors regarding status of energy performance and potential for decreasing energy intensity;
c) Preparation of marginal abatement cost curves for the oil & gas end-use sectors developed to demonstrate effective mitigation policies and economic scenarios;
d) Increasing awareness among governmental institutions and support the development of a national replication strategy; e) Establishing and validating voluntary emission reduction targets in the oil & gas end-use sectors.

Outcome 2:

a) Preparation of three designed programs for the implementation of selected prioritized feasible NAMAs in main oil & gas end-use sub-sectors;
b) Involvement of fully capable and qualified stakeholders in the design and implementation of NAMAs;
c) Defining and establishing financial instruments for mitigation actions in the oil & gas end-use sectors; .

Outcome 3:

a) Implementing above-mentioned NAMAs in three sectors within SOCAR: a) In building secor;
b) In Transport System;
c) in associated gas capturing.

Outcome 4:

a) Defining and establishing sectoral and subsectoral reference baselines for oil & gas end-use sectors;
b) Establishing sub-sectoral GHG inventories for key oil & gas end-use sub-sectors;
c) Establishing and operationalizing national registry mechanism for mitigation actions in the oil & gas end-use sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment are: Support UNDP and the project team in detailed design of implementation actions; assisting the Project Team in the implementation of the project and monitoring the progress of the project and its different sub-components as needed; build the capacity of the local experts working for the project to successfully implement the project activities, ensuring that they comply with the agreed benchmarks and success indicators of the project as well as international best practices and lessons learnt The expected level of involvement will be up to 50 weeks in total, with workload gradually decreasing towards the end of project implementation depending on how the project proceeds.

Under the direct supervision of UNDP Project Manager, the consultant’s specific responsibilities, among others, will be to:

Support the local project management team in organizing the implementation of the project’s different sub-components at the inception phase, including support to the project manager in the preparation of the project inception report and the annual output specific work plans, drafting of Terms of Reference for the local and international experts and subcontractors, provide required inputs to tender documents, etc.;
Propose methodologies and specific software models for monitoring and for assessing the GHG reduction impact of the project and its outputs;
By building on international experiences and lessons learnt from promoting and up-scaling GHG Mitigation, contribute with policy recommendations to the implementation of activities under outcomes of the project;
Support the Project Manager in monitoring the work of the contracted individual experts and companies, including review of the feasibility studies and the technical design, financing and implementation arrangements;
Support the Project Manager in arranging co-operation with the already identified key stakeholders and, as applicable, support the identification and establishment of new national and/or international partnerships and to support the project goals and objectives;
Support the local project team in monitoring and evaluating the performance and the outcomes of the pilot projects under implementation;
Propose possible adjustments and necessary amendments, support the preparation of the overall Project Work Plan, activities envisioned in the coming quarter, evaluation plan, monitoring plan, sustainability plan, communication strategy/action plan, and all other documents requested by the Project Document (different reports, work plans, etc.);
Lead Inception phase and support Project Manager, and carry out field visits and meetings with all relevant stakeholders;
Provide inputs for establishment of effective proactive risk management strategy;
Provide technical inputs in drafting various working documents related to the activities of the Project, such as reports, capacity building plans, agendas for the seminars, events, plans of action, etc.;
Provide technical support in preparation of Terms of References for consultants and contractors;
Provide technical support in conducting analytical policy reviews and assessments resulting in specific policy recommendations/outputs in line with project goals and identified priorities;
Prepare materials for trainings, workshops, meetings, etc.;
Check deliverables (reports, analyses, etc.) of other consultants engaged by the Project in order to ensure quality, coordination and consistency of project outputs, and advising Project Manager accordingly and providing guidance to the international/local consultants when necessary;
Provide technical inputs for ensuring Project’s conceptual clarity and comparable standards regarding data collection, monitoring, project evaluation at different stages, etc.

In addition she/he will:

Provide analysis and recommendations in relation to linking with other relevant programs in Azerbaijan and elsewhere in Europe, so that experiences can be shared, project’s visibility in a larger setting ensured, and best practices utilized so as to maximize the impact of the project;
Facilitates liaison and networking between and among the key stakeholders and other individuals involved in the project implementation;
Provide technical inputs and support Project Manager in ensuring production of quality and timely outputs, as well as tools for promoting project visibility;
Provide regular briefs, reports, assessments to the Project Manager on the advancement of the efforts undertaken by the Project, including any dilemmas, outstanding issues, concerns and recommend corrective measures if needed;

The expected results

In addition to the above mentioned outcomes and the above “regular” Project support duties, and in close communication with the Project Manager, the Lead Technical Advisor as part of the Project Team will be responsible for delivering the following main results in order to successfully accomplish project objective and envisioned project results:

Provision of relevant technical inputs, inclusive of completed Inception Report on time leading to Project Board adoption, and preparation of all necessary Project reports, Terms of References and adequate plans;
Provision of relevant technical inputs during Implementation phase, work closely with the Project Team and final beneficiaries, preparation of materials and/or inputs for various trainings, workshops, meetings, etc., and preparation of all necessary Project reports, Terms of References and adequate plans;
In the final, Completion phase, the Lead Technical Advisor should provide technical inputs to the Project Team and beneficiaries in order to fully implement sustainability plan and contribute to a well thought-out Exit Strategy, which will be agreed before the completion of the Project period;
The Lead Technical Advisor will be responsible to provide regular reports in writing to the Project Manager. The report is to contain sufficient details and information that would allow for the appraisal of the effectiveness of the project’s activities, as well as further direction of the project.

Timeframe of the assignment

This is a five year engagement. The consultant will be engaged under the Individual Contract, immediately after the completion of the selection process. The initial contract will be issued for a period of twelve months not exceeding 50 consultancy days, starting in October 2015. The further contract extensions will be subject to the overall performance of the Lead Technical Advisor as evaluated by supervisor, results and impacts of the activities s/he implemented/facilitated, supported and/or conducted the relationship s/he developed with the Project Team and the beneficiaries of the Project, including the overall dynamics in the realization of the Project. three consultancy days per month until the Project is completed. The Lead Technical Advisor is expected to undertake first mission during the first quarter of the project implementation, preferably during the project launch workshop.

Travel

The Lead Technical Advisor will be expected to provide long-distance advice and in-country consultations. Therefore, the Lead Technical Advisor is expected to be able to travel to Baku or elsewhere in Azerbaijan, pursuant to the work plan of project’s activities, 6 times during the project including 2 times in the first year of the project, and then 1 time for each next year, if the contract is extended. . In the Inception phase (first three months of the Project), the consultant is expected to spend approximately 5 consultancy days in Baku and coastal region in Azerbaijan. Additional 3 consultancy days per month can be executed by provision of long-distance advice or in Baku/elsewhere in Azerbaijan depending on the need. For the next years the Lead Technical Advisor is expected to spend 35-40 consultancy days each year for the project. Each mission to Azerbaijan could be up to 3-5 days.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An appropriate degree in Environmental Management, Energy related Engineering/Technology, Ecology, Climate Change, and/or a relevant field. A Master degree will be an asset.

Experience:

Minimum 10 years of international experience of design and implementation of climate change oriented mitigation actions involving Energy end-use, especially oil and gas;
Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in Energy-related Environmental Management or relevant field;
Minimum 10 years of experience and knowledge of key issues relating to the international agenda of Climate Change prevention and mitigation;
Proven international experience and success in supporting clean energy and/or climate change projects (or their sub-components);
Good knowledge of international best practices in the project related fields, state of the art approaches in the specific areas of the project and its subcomponents;
Previous relevant working experience with UN or other international organizations;
Preferably working experience in the region of South-East Europe/ Caucasus;
Familiarity with UNDP and GEF requirements.

Language:

Fluency in English;
Knowledge of Azeri or Russian is desirable.