Background

Background

The main goal of the project is to support SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic) in the implementation of its Climate Change Mitigation Strategy by promoting and upscaling GHG mitigation measures through a programmatic NAMA approach in SOCAR’s oil and gas production and energy end-use sectors, and demonstrating NAMA approach by implementation of pilot projects in gas production (associated gas capture), buildings and transportation. In order to achieve its specific purpose, the project is expected to deliver the following outputs;

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; d) Identifying sources of international financing to undertake the mitigation actions;

Outcome 3: Implementing above-mentioned NAMAs in three sectors within SOCAR and up-scaling them at the national level: a) in building sector; b) in Transport System; c) in associated gas capturing; d) other possible areas;

Outcome 4: a) Defining and establishing sectoral and sub-sectoral 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.

The project has the eventual aim to improve Azerbaijan’s institutional & policy framework, address appropriate mechanisms and result in activities to realize significant GHG emission reduction achievements in the long term. The project, which began in March 2015, has so far been focusing on completing pilot activities whose results will be used in developing a larger NAMA based action program for the country. To date a number of SOCAR buildings have been retrofitted with energy-efficient materials and equipment and the results have shown a substantial reduction in GHG emissions. In transportation sector, eco-driving practices have been demonstrated and hybrid-electric vehicles have been procured. The Associated Gas Capture component is at the detailed engineering stage and construction work of the project will begin in the first half of 2018. 

Results of the Mid-Term Project Review (Phase I)

The Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the project was undertaken in late 2017 which reviewed the progress of the project thus far and made recommendations to be considered in the next phase of project. It stated that the Project faces delays in delivering Outcomes 1 and 2 results, however, there is still enough time to deliver expected results in both of these components during the next phase of project implementation period. This will require accelerated and coordinated action, and utilization of best international experience in developing GHG MAC (Marginal Abatement Cost) curves and action plans. It observed that results and experience gained from the Project are expected to raise the awareness and increase readiness of the government to adopt necessary policy/legislation and regulations to support implementation of GHG mitigation projects, and to meet ambitious GHG targets of Azerbaijan. With proper actions delivered by the Project, the risk of weak commitment can be minimized. Regarding the various sectors covered in the project, the MTR report recommends the following:

Buildings: Taking into account the GHG reduction potential and costs of GHG reduction measures, as demonstrated by pilot project, a national level affordable/realistic NAMA program for buildings should be developed with clearly stated targets. For this, SOCAR shall act as the leader through dissemination of results of its activities on the pilot project at a national level and assist the Government in achieving country’s GHG emission reduction targets.

Associated gas capture: SOCAR has had its Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Associated Gas Reduction Plan in place since 2010. There is now a need to scale up the activities which can be done through capturing and processing of associated gas near the well-head site. (An individual consultant has been engaged to advise and implement a technically more efficient and effective gas capturing program using modern methodologies that will result in a higher cost/benefit ratio.).

Sustainable transport: Eco-driving training is an excellent example of a low-cost GHG emission reduction opportunity with a demonstrated 10% fuel savings and, if replicated across the country, can make a significant impact on reductions. It recommends that eco-driving training should be accompanied by a strong human resources policy involving an incentive system that rewards drivers that follow eco-driving practices on the road.

Goals for Phase II of Project

In the remaining two years of the project, a full-scale NAMA action program that covers at least two sectors – buildings and transport – is to be developed and launched for implementation. As pointed out in the MTR report, the process of development of NAMA program/action plan shall demonstrate both to SOCAR and to national authorities which mitigation actions should be prioritized based on their lower implementation cost. In addition to the UNDP-funded project team, SOCAR’s experts will be fully engaged in this process, especially since SOCAR is now best positioned as a leader to scale up its experience to other segments of the economy. It’s expected to make further progress in the capacity development of SOCAR through the sharing of experience and knowledge of international experts with local experts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

The Lead Advisor’s duties and responsibilities will be guided by the following objectives that are to be achieved over the next two years:

• Delivering of results under Outcome 1 and 2:  Work closely with the international climate change consultant to develop the MAC curves and, based on them, develop the GHG emission reduction policy and action plan. Efforts will be made to use MAC curves to raise awareness among decision and policy makers about prioritizing cost-effective measures. Feasible time-bound targets shall be developed by analyzing the barriers to ensure that solid investment actions and policy/regulatory steps are proposed;
• Formulate and implement pilot project replication strategy(ies): Utilize and integrate in the NAMA action plan to be developed in the next phase all experience and information gained so far and available locally, including from other activities being implemented in the country with support of international financers. For this, networking channels will be proposed with key stake-holders viz. ministries, agencies and donors with the aim to disseminate the results of pilot activities to them as well as receive their feedback;
• Develop a framework for holding a national level policy/regulatory dialogue for implementing NAMA action plan implementation at a country level: The focus will be on improving energy performance in buildings regulation as well as other energy efficiency measures, such as energy appliance labeling, minimal energy performance standards for energy appliances etc.;
• Information and experience dissemination: Efforts will be made to hold a workshop in which lessons are learned from the experiences of other CIS countries. This will build upon the training programs that have already been completed in the first phase of project. Arrangements will be made to publish project fact-sheets, including results from MAC analysis, for wide-spread circulation through hard-print as well as web-based tools;
• Support to the UNDP project team: The Lead Advisor shall provide support to the Project Manager in carrying out his functions. This will be in the form of drafting of Terms of Reference for the local and international experts, guiding the international experts in preparing the materials for trainings and workshops and making necessary arrangements for them, and validating the deliverables (reports, analyses, etc.) of other consultants engaged by the Project in order to ensure quality, coordination and consistency of project outputs. A framework/template is also to be developed with the assistance of the MRV expert to monitor, review and report the results of the project on a periodic basis.

Timeframe of the assignment

 The Lead Advisor will be engaged under an Individual Contract (IC), for a period of twelve months starting in July 2018 to provide services of 40 days of effort. Any contract extension(s) beyond this period will be subject to the overall performance as evaluated by the Project Manager based on the outcomes and impacts of the activities implemented/facilitated, and the working relationship developed with the Project Team and the beneficiaries of Project.

Travel

 The Lead Advisor will be expected to provide long-distance advice and in-country consultations. For in-country activities, he/she is expected to travel to Baku twice during the one-year contract and each trip will be of one-week duration.

Deliverables

• Develop the GHG emission reduction policy and action plan. Efforts will be made to use MAC curves to raise awareness among decision and policy makers about prioritizing cost-effective measures. 1st August 2018;
• Utilize and integrate in the NAMA action plan to be developed in the next phase all experience and information gained so far and available locally, including from other activities being implemented in the country with support of international financers. For this, networking channels will be proposed with key stake-holders viz. ministries, agencies and donors with the aim to disseminate the results of pilot activities to them as well as receive their feedback.15th October 2018;
• Develop a framework for holding a national level policy/regulatory dialogue for implementing NAMA action plan implementation at a country level: The focus will be on improving energy performance in buildings regulation as well as other energy efficiency measures, such as energy appliance labeling, minimal energy performance standards for energy appliances 1st February 2019;
• Efforts will be made to hold a workshop in which lessons are learned from the experiences of other CIS countries. This will build upon the training programs that have already been completed in the first phase of project. Arrangements will be made to publish project fact-sheets, including results from MAC analysis, for wide-spread circulation through hard-print as well as web-based tools.15th April 2019.

Contract Payment Terms

The contract for Lead Technical Advisor is a Lump Sum contract. The candidates are required to include in the Financial Proposal template to be provided by UNDP all the costs related to this assignment. These include:

• Number of consultancy days – 40 days;
• Round trip airfare (economy) to Baku, Azerbaijan – 2 trips;
• Number of total scheduled days in Baku – 14 days (The current maximum daily rate to be included for Baku as per DSA is 179USD);
• Other, if applicable.

A LUMP-SUM compensation for the one-year duration contract will be payable in 4 (four) tranches according to following schedule of payments:

• First Payment Tranche: 25% of total contract amount payable on 15th August 2018;
• Second Payment Tranche: 25% of total contract amount payable on 1st November 2018;
• Third Payment Tranche: 25% of total contract amount payable on 15th March 2019;
• Fourth Payment Tranche: 25% of total contract amount payable on 1st May 2019.

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Education

 An appropriate degree in Energy/Engineering/Environmental or a relevant field. A Master degree which is relevant to the scope of work of the assignment 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 and electricity;
• Minimum 15 years of proven international experience and success in supporting clean energy and/or climate change projects (or their sub-components);
• Experience and strong knowledge of key issues relating to the international agenda of Climate Change prevention and mitigation;
• 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.

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

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to the e-mail procurement.aze@undp.org. UNDP in Azerbaijan will respond by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all shortlisted consultants.

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.