Background

The GEF Council has approved the full-sized project titled “Energy Efficiency through the Development of Low-carbon RAC Technologies in Trinidad and Tobago” (PIMS #5957) implemented through the United Nations Development Programme Trinidad & Tobago Country Office. UNDP has finalized a project document that was approved and received endorsement by the GEF CEO in March 2020.

The project is aimed at the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (RAC) sector treating the issue of energy efficiency for large scale and small-scale systems and units. The project seeks to develop a holistic approach to encouraging a more sustainable energy consumption path through the adoption of energy-efficient low-carbon technologies for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning end-use. The implementation period of the project is expected to be approximately 48 months.

In Trinidad and Tobago, district cooling technology has been slowly introduced, even though the demand for cooling has increased at a steady rate of 15% due to its growing economic development. The project’s strategy has incorporated two district cooling pilot investments. Pilot projects for the University of T&T (Couva) and Piarco International Airport (Piarco) have been identified and developed during the Project Identification Form (PIF) and the GEF Project Preparation Grant (PPG) stages. The PPG stage has also considered other potential business interventions.

The Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) Consultant will aid in strengthening the national planning and policy framework for market development of energy efficiency gains for the RAC sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

The Consultant will develop a strengthened national policy and implementation framework for development of Energy Efficiency gains for RAC end-uses including Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPs), and Standards and Labelling (S&L) schemes:

The Consultant will be required to undertake the following activities to fulfil his/her obligations under this contract:

  • Provide technical support to adopt the regional standards for air conditioners and refrigerators related to Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling for RAC equipment in Trinidad and Tobago as mandatory:  
  • Review of existing energy efficiency/consumption reduction targets for the RAC sector
  • Conduct research on existing international best practices related to Minimum Energy Performance requirements, conformity assessment and enforcement schemes, and the national testing procedures
  • Conduct research on existing Minimum Energy Performance labelling systems, requirements, and enforcement and assist the National Standards Body in implementation of a national system
  • Assist in determining the testing infrastructure and associated fees required at the national level to support the implementation of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling for RAC equipment
  • Development of Technical documents (which may include but not limited to guidelines, specifications or codes of practice)for the installation and connection to District Cooling Systems (DCS). 
  • Draft an MOA for testing, validation and certification of EE RAC equipment, through recognition and partnerships with testing facilities which are duly accredited and authorized for RAC product certification.
  • Implementing an awareness-raising campaign to enforce S&L for EE RAC equipment including technical documents for DCS and development of a codified system for testing, validation and conformity assessment system for RAC EE equipment, systems and products (energy-efficient air conditioning system) in Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Conduct training and capacity development for public officers to ensure enforcement of implemented MEPs / S&L for RAC equipment
  • Participate in technical committee meetings and stakeholder consultations related to the development of the mandatory standards for air conditioners and refrigerators and a voluntary Standard for District Cooling Systems
  • Develop a Product Registration System for RAC equipment for Trinidad and Tobago
  • Development of a Market Transformation Toolkit for Capacity Building
    1. Update of Trinidad and Tobago Cooling Strategy
    2. Lessons learnt report
    3. Library of tools available for utilization (e.g. U4E’s prototype and guidance notes for Product Registration Systems (a database of approved products which are compliant with the MEPS/S&L));
    4. Awareness campaign materials and practices to inform officials, businesses and the public of how and why to get involved in market transformation activities;
    5. Compliance and enforcement protocols (e.g. process for inspection and testing of products)

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES:

  • Detailed work plan
  • Completed energy performance requirements report
  • Completed testing model for MEPs/ S&L
  • Completed technical documents related to District Cooling Systems (DCS). 
  • Completed MOA for testing, validation and certification of EE RAC equipment
  • Completed awareness-raising campaign to enforce S&L for EE RAC equipment, technical documents related to DCS and conformity assessment system for EE RAC equipment
  • Completed capacity development of public officers to support enforcement of MEPs/ S&L for RAC end-use
  • Completed Market Transformation Toolkit

Institutional Arrangement:

The Consultant will report directly to the Project Manager and liaise with the Project Management Unit and the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards. Please see Annex 1 for the organigram of reporting lines.

Competencies

Core:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Thematic Area

Name

Definition

Business Direction and Strategy

Negotiation and Influence

Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ Situations

Business Management

Monitoring

Ability to provide key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

 

Business Development

Knowledge Facilitation

Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

 

Business management

Communication

Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Business Direction and Strategy

System Thinking

Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

 

Required skills and competencies:

  • Strong background in analysis of EE scenarios and profitability calculations
  • Experience and/or familiarity with GEF and UNDP or other UN organizations’ projects, processes, guidelines, and project implementation is a requirement
  • Candidates should be fluent in the English Language with excellent analytical and communication skills and must be computer proficient in MS Office Suite and a digital project management tool such as MS Project.

Desired additional skills and competencies:

  • Highly motivated and capable of working independently.
  • Sensitivity to culture, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences.
  • Demonstrated ability to function in a team environment and to deal with the complex multi-stakeholder environment.
  • Possess an ability to effectively plan and organize monitoring and evaluation activities as part of the delivery of results (outputs and outcomes) within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
  • Ability to focus on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback.
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks.
  • Capacity to work under tight deadlines, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Academic Education:

Master’s degree in energy efficiency, energy economics, standards development and possess an accredited energy performance certificate. A Bachelor's Degree will be given due consideration in lieu of Masters.

Min. years of relevant Work experience:

  • 6 years of professional experience in energy efficiency measures, for the RAC sector or a minimum of 7 years with a Bachelor's Degree.
  • 6 years of professional experience in the development of standards and labelling or a minimum of 7 years with a Bachelor's Degree.
  • Knowledge in District Cooling will be an asset.

Required Language:

  • Fluency in English (both oral and written)