UNDP Jobs - 60650- Sustainable Energy Consultant

Sustainable Energy Consultant

Location :

Home Based with Possible Mission(s)

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

23-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated 01 December 2015 – 16 September 2016

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Approximately 180 working days

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

Sustainable energy is an engine for poverty eradication, social progress, gender equality, enhanced resilience, economic growth and environmental sustainability and evidences the direct impacts on people, communities and countries. Unsustainable patterns of energy production and consumption threaten not only human health and quality of life but also affect ecosystems and contribute to increased anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions which accelerate climate change.

In September 2015, the United Nations Special Summit on Sustainable Development in New York will adopt the proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the proposed goals, SDG No. 7 aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. Thus, the upcoming sustainable development agenda recognizes that energy is a major ingredient of transforming societies and boosting human development. It is clear that without access to sustainable energy services other development goals cannot be achieved. UNDP’s work with countries and partners will be guided by its Sustainable Energy Framework which is strongly aligned to SDG No. 7 through its three pillar strategy of energy access, renewable energy and energy efficiency linking to sustainable development, and consistent with the UNSG’s Global Sustainable Energy for All Initiative (SE4ALL).

Moreover, in December 2015 the internal community is expected to adopt a post-2020 global climate change agreement during the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in December (COP21) and proposed SDG No. 13 calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts while acknowledging that the UNFCCC is the primary international, intergovernmental forum for negotiating the global response to climate change.

With a presence in more than 170 countries and territories, and over 20 years of experience in supporting efforts to increase the utilization of sustainable energy, UNDP is uniquely positioned to offer expertise in development thinking and practice. UNDP’s work on sustainable energy and climate change is strongly aligned with the proposed SDG No. 7 and No.13 and contribute to all the other SDG goals such as health, poverty eradication, improved and inclusive education, women empowerment and gender equality, employment and jobs, resilient infrastructure, cities and human settlements etc.

UNDP IRH is engaged through (1) a large GEF funded portfolio and an upcoming GCF project pipeline on climate change mitigation and adaption that is heavily encompassing sustainable energy issues in the ECIS region, (2) regional advisory services to ECIS countries on climate change mitigation such as support on the development of NAMAs and INDCs, and (3) advocacy and knowledge management activities in support of SDG No. 7 and its cross-linkages to other development goals by UNDP’s Global Energy team.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Sustainable Energy Consultant will be part of a team involved in UNDP regional (ECIS) and global energy activities.

The Sustainable Energy Consultant responsibilities are the following:

Output 1: Detailed work plan with all activities of the assignment

Task 1: The consultant will develop a detailed work plan outlining all activities and tasks to be completed during the assignment.
Deliverable: Detailed work plan outlining all activities developed and finalized.

Output 2: Support on regional (ECIS) UNDP activities related to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 13 (climate change) through the development of 12 climate change and disaster risk reduction snapshots, through the development of 4 accompanying communication products such as blogs and analyses

Task 1: The consultant is responsible for developing a set of climate change snapshots covering the situation on climate change mitigation, adaption and disaster risk reduction for each country in the ECIS region. For the COP 21 a first set of piloting countries (Western Balkans sub region) will be presented and throughout 2016, snapshots for the remaining 12 countries in the ECIS region have to be developed.

Specific tasks will involve, the following:

Conducting country specific research on climate change mitigation and adaption related information for each country in the ECIS region;
Coordination of finalizing the snapshots including the DRR section;
Coordination of publishing of the snapshots including communication with designers, publisher and printing companies;
Other tasks related to the publishing of the snapshots, as required.

Task 2: The consultant is responsible for supporting the regional team with the development of a regional climate change report and will be responsible for highlighting the regional team’s work on climate change through 4 knowledge and communication products such as blogs, analyses and factsheets etc. Specific tasks will involve, the following:

Supporting the regional climate change team in developing a climate change report
Producing a series of knowledge and communication products related to climate change in the ECIS region
Other assistance related to UNDP’s regional climate change activities, as requested

Deliverables:

12 climate change and disaster risk reduction snapshots developed and finalized
At least 4 climate change communication products such as blogs, analyses and factsheets developed and finalized

Output 3: Support on regional (ECIS) UNDP activities related to SDG 7 (sustainable energy) through the establishment of one in-house sustainable energy project in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and development of 4 communication products related to regional sustainable energy activities.

Task 1: The consultant will be involved in the implementation of a project that will scale-up proven sustainable energy solutions in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan by leveraging UNDP in-house expertise:

Providing technical support to all components of the projects including the Green Village initiative and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology and Education Centre in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan;
Coordination of all project stakeholders including one additional UN organization that might partner up with the initiative;
Leveraging additional project resources by mobilizing co-financing from other development agencies and/or the private sector;
Other assistance related to UNDP regional projects, as requested such as developing project proposals within UNDP IRH’s new catalytic facility.

Task 2: The consultant will be responsible for leveraging UNDP’s new energy portfolio database to produce 4 knowledge and communication products dealing with sustainable energy in the ECIS region. Specific topics can involve, the following:

Elaboration of the economics of renewable energy investment in the ECIS region by focusing on the main drivers of capital costs and solutions offering opportunities to reduce them;
Elaboration of policy de-risking instrument implementation improving the investment climate of renewable energy installations and reducing the cost of capital of renewable energy investment by calculating Levelized Costs of Electricity (LCOE) for various renewable energy technologies;
Elaboration of the availability and financial de-risking instruments and their potential impact on renewable energy investment profitability.

Deliverables:

Project Concept for the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology and Education Centre in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan developed and finalized;
4 knowledge and communication products dealing with sustainable energy in the ECIS region developed and finalized.

Output 4: Support on global UNDP activities related to SDG 7 (sustainable energy) and SE4ALL through the development of 8 knowledge management and communication products highlighting UNDP’s role in implementing SDG No. 7 and support to SE4ALL.

Task 1: The consultant will be responsible for leveraging UNDP’s new energy portfolio database to produce 8 flagship knowledge and communication products, including blogs, analyses, factsheets etc. that are dealing with UNDP’s sustainable energy activities around the world. Specific topics and tasks will involve, the following:

UNDP’s sustainable energy portfolio and its contribution to other SDGs (such as poverty alleviation, health, employment, climate change and gender);
Elaboration of the economics of renewable energy investment by focusing on the main drivers of capital costs and solutions offering opportunities to reduce them;
Elaboration of policy de-risking instrument implementation improving the investment climate of renewable energy installations and reducing the cost of capital of renewable energy investment by calculating Levelized Costs of Electricity (LCOE) for various renewable energy technologies;
Elaboration of the availability and financial de-risking instruments and their potential impact on renewable energy investment profitability;
Other assistance related to UNDP global and regional work, as required within UNDP Global Energy Portfolio.

Task 2: The consultant will be responsible for coordinating the verification, improvement and maintenance of UNDP’s new energy portfolio database. Specific topics and tasks will involve, the following:

Communicate with UNDP country office globally to verify the data and, if possible, expand it with additional information and data;
Maintain the database including ensuring the update of financial data and project information;
Other assistance related to the database, as required.

Task 3: The consultant will be responsible for producing one research paper that is analyzing the impact of policy and financial de-risking instruments on the cost of capital of solar PV investment in selected country within the Global Energy Portfolio. Specific task will involve, the following:

Extensive research on the topic including the country context;
Conduct investor interviews to obtain quantitative data on barriers and risks related to solar PV investment in the selected country;
Translate obtained information into quantitative data on cost of capital and its drivers/barriers;
Measure impact of policy and financial de-risking instruments on the cost of capital of renewable energy investment;
Develop a fully finalized research paper;
Other tasks related to the publishing of the research paper, as required.

Deliverables:

8 knowledge management and communication products highlighting UNDP’s role in implementing SDG No. 7 and support to SE4ALL developed and finalized;
Energy portfolio database updated, improved and verified;
1 research paper that is analyzing the impact of policy and financial de-risking instruments on the cost of capital of solar PV investment developed and finalized.

Output 5: Support the management of the UNDP-GCF renewable energy and energy efficiency portfolio through providing substantial input to one UNDP-GCF energy project proposal

Task1: The consultant will be responsible for supporting the UNDP-GCF team with the management of the UNDP-GCF renewable energy and energy efficiency portfolio. Specific task will involve, the following:

Support the design and formulation of one UNDP-GCF energy project proposal

Deliverable:

1 UNDP-GCF energy project proposal finalized.

Output 6: Preparation, organization and facilitation of one regional workshop

Task 1: The consultant is responsible for organizing the regional UNDP Meeting of Practitioners (MOP) that will take place in 2016. Specific tasks will involve, the following:

Coordination of setting up the content and the agenda of the event;
Communicating with all participants and regional experts;
Supporting regional assistants with logistics issues, as per request;
Facilitating the entire event and ensuring the smooth organization of the event;
Other assistance related to organizing the event as required.

Deliverable:

MOP 2016 organized and facilitated.

Responsibilities for Expenses and their reimbursement and consultancy fee

The contract will be prepared as a lump sum contract payable in six installments as follows:

First Payment: Payment of 1/6 of the total contract amount upon completion of all deliverables under Output 1 (ca. 11th December 2015);
Second Payment: Payment of 1/6 of the total contract amount upon completion of all deliverables under Output 2 (ca. 31th January 2016);
Third Payment: Payment of 1/6 of the total contract amount upon completion of all deliverables under Output 3 (ca. 31th March 2016);
Fourth Payment: Payment of 1/6 of the total contract amount upon completion of all deliverables under Output 4 (ca. 31th May 2016);
Fifth Payment: Payment of 1/6 of the total contract amount upon completion of all deliverables under Output 5 (ca. 31th July 2016);
Sixth Payment: Payment of 1/6 of the total contract amount upon completion of all deliverables under Output 6 (ca. 16th September 2016).

Competencies

Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
Ability to plan and organize his/her work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Very Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
Knowledge of MS Word, Excel and email communication software.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least Master degree in economics, engineering, international relations, environmental science, business administration or related field.

Experience:

At least 1 year of technical experience related to sustainable energy issues globally and with a particular focus on the ECIS region;
Strong experience with various sustainable energy policies, preferably those which are implemented in the countries of the ECIS region;
Strong experience with renewable energy finance is required, experience with Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) calculations will be considered an asset;
Strong experience with analysing quantitative data on sustainable energy and translating it to factsheets and analyses is an asset;
Experience with the organization of conferences, meetings and trainings;
Prior experience working with international organizations (including UNDP) is an advantage.

Language:

Excellent English writing and communication skills.

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should 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 - 70% of total evaluation – max. 50 points:

Criteria A: Technical experience related to sustainable energy issues globally and with a particular focus on the ECIS region – max points: 3;
Criteria B: Strong knowledge and experience with various sustainable energy policies, especially those which are implemented in the countries of the ECIS region – max points: 9;
Criteria C: Strong knowledge and experience with renewable energy finance, including Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) calculations – max points: 9;
Criteria D: Strong knowledge with analysing quantitative data on sustainable energy and translating it to factsheets and analyses – max points: 8;
Criteria E: Experience with the organization of conferences, meetings and trainings – max points: 3;
Criteria F: Prior experience working with international organizations (including UNDP) – max points: 3;
Criteria G: Overall technical expertise – max. 10 points;
Criteria H: Communication skills in English – max. 5 points.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 21.5 points.

Only 5 highest ranked candidates will be invited for interviews.

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days and any other possible costs);
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org.
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.