Background

The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have developed a global programme to support 2.5 million poor people to obtain access to reliable and affordable clean energy through  microfinance (called Clean Start). To this end, Clean Start will support 18 financial service providers (FSPs) across six countries in Asia and Africa to build their capacity in providing financing for clean energy systems.  The programme is already active in Nepal, Uganda and Ethiopia.I parallel, the programme will also strengthen the supply chains of technologies being    financed and advocate for policy and business environments that promote the growth of energy markets serving low-income people.

Clean Start (2012-2017, US$26.1) will be delivered through four outputs:

  • Finance for Clean Energy to strengthen capabilities of 18 FSPs to provide microfinance for clean energy to low-income households and micro-entrepreneurs;
  • Technical Assistance for Clean Energy to remove barriers to the successful deployment of those technologies and services for which the selected MFis will provide microfinance;
  • Global Knowledge and Learning, to enhance understanding and awareness globally of the potential for microfinance to scale-up access to clean energy and make available the tools and knowledge needed to scale-up access to clean energy beyond the project; and
  • Advocacy and Partnerships to create an enabling policy and business environment to expand microfinance for clean energy.

Clean Start finalizes the selection of pilot countries through a two-stage process: 1) scoping-assessment and 2) business planning/activity pilot process. The overall purpose is to understand the key drivers of the energy market serving low-income people in the country, the potential for microfinance or energy service providers to dramatically expand the market for modern energy services for poor people and the value-add that Clean Start could provide given the state of the market.

West and Central Africa context

Access to renewable/green energy remain a challenge for West African Countries. For that purpose, the UEMOA Commission, on behalf of Members States, has established the "Societe Africaine des Biocarburants et des Energies Renouvelables (SABER/ABREC)" to promote access to renewable energy in each State Member.  In each country, SABER/ABREC has formulated and implementing Clean Energy Project to target national needs as well as urban and rural area, for public, semi-public or private use. Moreover, some of the countries has established their own national institutions and projects to complete SABER/ABREC efforts. Despite all of those projects/efforts, access to (renewable) energy remain a challenge remain a big challenge for the poor people, especially the MSMES and small holders families both the consumption and production need. So, improving access to finance, technology and improved practices and enhancing climate and environmental governance are important focus areas in achieving this goal.

UNCDF CleanStart has now joined UEMOA Commission and ABREC  to promote, via a joint regional programme, the access of solar kits system to the benefits of households in West Africa.  An initial scoping mission has been performed and its report is available.  This scoping mission needs to be developed into a comprehensive project plan to cover the next pilot phase roll out in Burkina Faso, Niger and Togo.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of  assignment

The objective of the mission is to elaborate a project plan for the expansion of the regional programme to promote access to solar kits system to the benefits of households in the target coutnries of Bukina Faso, Niger and Togo.

Scope of Work

The expert will carry out the assignment under the supervision of a team leader.  The expert will perform, not limited to, but includes the following tasks:

  • Detail plan of West Africa clean energy project with milestones and budgets including coordination role, fund raising, financing role, staffing, project management;
  • Potential for In-country resource mobilization;
  • Desk research as well as interview key informants of the energy and microfinance sectors in Niger, Togo and Burkina and provide an analysis;
  • Range of technology options of solar kits system that, with microfinance and support to strengthen the supply chain, could be deployed among poor clients fairly quickly {"quick wins") to those that could have a market disruptive effect in the medium to long term;
  • Mapping of key stakeholders and initiatives actively involved in delivering modern energy services to poor households and micro-entrepreneurs at the micro, meso and macro-levels in those 3 countries;
  • Analysis of policy, legal and regulatory environment for solar kits system.

Deliverables

The deliverable will be a detail project plan and the results of the desk research and other outputs from the scope of work for the selected countries.

Duration of Assignment

Contract duration: November - December, 2015.
Number of person days: 20 person days  (maximum).

  • This is the maximum estimation. The actual number of days will need to be advised again depending on the outcomes of the preceding missions under this contract;    ·
  • The final payment will be made on delivery of final report.

Competencies

Functional  Competencies:

  • Strong programme management skills;
  • Strong proven functional skills in analytical writing; experienced in producing concise, executive-level reports and presentations, training modules and materials;
  • Strong command of Excel and data management;
  • Excellent organizational, inter-personal and communication skills.

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;
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Postgraduate qualification in energy or electrical engineering / related fields.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 5 years relevant, practical working experience within the financial sector and/or microfinance and/or decentralized energy solutions for the base of the pyramid, preferably in least developed countries (LDCs) in Francophone Africa;
  • Documented, deep technical knowledge and experience with clean energy solutions;
  • Demonstrated strong programme management skills;
  • Experienced in carrying out market assessments, feasibility studies, business planning, institutional analyses;
  • Excellent organizational, inter-personal and communication skills;
  • Experience within the West African region is a must;
  • Familiarity with UNDP and UNCDF systems would be a strong asset.

Languages:

  • Fluency in written and spoken French and English.

Evaluation process:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Step I: Screening

Applications will be screened and only candidates meeting the following minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

  • Postgraduate qualification in energy or electrical engineering / related fields;
  • At least 5 years relevant, practical working experience within the financial sector and/or microfinance and/or decentralized energy solutions for the base of the pyramid, preferably in least developed countries (LDCs) in Francophone Africa;
  • At least 4 years of experience in programme/project management.

Step II : Shortlisting by Desk Review

UNCDF will conduct a desk review to produce a shortlist of candidates by evaluating:

  • Qualifications based on the UNDP P11 form/CV submitted by each candidate; and
  • Candidates will be assessed and scored against the following evaluation criteria.

Criteria for Evaluation/Desk review of Candidates  Max 300 points

  • A minimum of 5 years progressive experience in technical knowledge and experience with clean energy solutions; 150 points;
  • At least 2 experience in formulating programme or project; 100 points;
  • At least 2 experiences in carrying out market assessments, feasibility studies, business planning, institutional analyses; 50 points.

Total:  300.

The top 3 candidates who pass in the desk review, with a minimum score of 210 points, will be invited for an interview.

Step III: Interview

The top 3 candidates who pass in the desk review will be invited for an interview for Max 200 points. The minimum score to pass the interview will be 140 points.

Step IV: Financial Proposals

The candidates who pass the Interview will be requested to provide their financial proposals.

Terms of Payment:

The assignment is based on a lump sum contract amount and payment will be made as follow:

  • Inception report: 10%;
  • Draft of report (as per expected results): 20%;
  • Acceptance of Final report (as per expected results): 70%.

Step V: Final Evaluation (combined scores)

The final evaluation will combine the scores of the desk review, interview, and financial proposal with the following weights assigned to each:

  • Final Evaluation:100 per cent;
  • Desk Review   30%;
  • Interview  40%;
  • Financial proposal  30%.

Contract Award

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNCDF.

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.