Background

In order to support the Western Balkans partners in addressing the energy situation and high prices, Montenegro received a fast-tracked €27 million as part of a regional package worth €30 million. The remaining €3 million will be provided by the EU in 2024.

The allocated funds for Montenegro will serve two main purposes. Firstly, they will be utilized to assist the most vulnerable groups in the country in coping with the increased living costs caused by Russia's aggression. This is essential for preserving social stability and maintaining the standards of the population. Secondly, the funds will support Montenegro's transition to green energy, contributing to its energy security and aligning with the EU's goals of decarbonization and clean energy.
Specifically, €13 million will be earmarked for energy efficiency improvements in households, companies, tourism, and industry. This investment will help reduce energy consumption, promote sustainability, and support the adoption of renewable energy sources. Montenegro has agreed to use EU budget support to promote the use of renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency, and develop a strategic vision for the country's energy and climate future.

The EU's broader Economic and Investment Plan aims to facilitate long-term recovery, accelerate the green and digital transition, and foster regional cooperation. Within this plan, three flagship initiatives are relevant to the energy sector: renewable energy, transition from coal, and the renovation wave. These initiatives align with the EU's commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and emphasize the importance of energy interconnections and the utilization of renewable energy sources.
By supporting Montenegro's green transition and focusing on renewable energy, the EU's energy support package will contribute to both Montenegro's energy security and its efforts to align with the EU's climate goals.

UNDP Montenegro is expected to provide technical support to the Government for the implementation of the segment of the package of direct budget support of the European Union for overcoming the energy crisis, which is related to energy efficiency. 

The Government of Montenegro developed a "Program for encouraging energy efficiency in households" that will be implemented through Eco-Fund (further referred as “Program”). The funding model for energy efficiency improvement measures that will be implemented involves a procedural implementation that consists of several steps: public call announcement for the citizens/users, submission of applications by citizens/users, evaluation of received applications, and signing a Financing Agreement with the Eco Fund. 

Upon signing the Financing Agreement, in accordance with the defined deadlines, the end user/applicant independently enters the phase of implementing energy efficiency measures on the specific object they applied for and gathers all necessary documentation to justify the investment made, all in accordance with the obligations stipulated in the Financing Agreement signed with the Eco Fund. After the completion of the works, the user submits a Request for reimbursement of part of the implementation costs of energy efficiency improvement measures (with evidence) to the Eco Fund. Members of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Eco Fund, with the technical support of the engineers, then conduct on-site verification of the completed works on the object and other information from the Request. If all required conditions are met, the Eco Fund decides on the allocation of funds for subsidizing energy efficiency improvement measures and reimburses/pays part of the implementation costs to the user/applicant.

In that regard, the need for various profiles with engineer educational and working background is rising. Therefore, UNDP Montenegro will provide support to the country by engaging the consultants who would be engaged on ad-hoc basis, as the specific need arises.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment:  

The objective is to secure high-quality, accurate, reliable, and timely services to the UNDP whenever needed for the successful implementation of activities envisaged under its projects or upon a particular relevant request. The consultants will contribute their expertise in energy efficiency during the implementation of the Program for encouraging energy efficiency in households in Montenegro.

The reporting, deliverables, timeline, and the detailed scope of work will be agreed on case-by-case basis for a specific activity in accordance with the ToR developed for each specific need. This is the field work, and activities will be implemented on the territory of the whole of Montenegro.

Job content: 

To support UNDP CO work, the Junior engineers recruited to the roster will be recruited to provide services in the following areas in capacity of the profiles as follow:

• Verification of the documentation and data submitted by the applicants from all municipalities in Montenegro.

Depending on the measure for which the applicant has applied, the verification may include the following activities: site visits, taking photographic documentation (condition of the object or heating devices before the implementation of measures), verification and confirmation of the quantity - surface area of walls intended for thermal insulation, verification and confirmation of the number and dimensions of windows and doors intended for replacement, verification and confirmation of the capacity of devices: pellet stoves or boilers, A/C air conditioning units (split/multi-split systems), heating and cooling heat pumps (air-water, water-water, ground-water), number and capacity of solar collectors for hot water, number and power of photovoltaic panels.

• Verification of completed works on houses/apartments after the implementation of energy efficiency measures. 

Depending on the measure for which the applicant has applied, verification may include the following activities: site visits and visual inspection of completed works, preparation of photographic documentation related to the implemented measure, verification and confirmation of insulation thickness, verification and confirmation of the quantity - surface area of walls where insulation is installed, verification of the number and dimensions of replaced windows and doors, verification and confirmation of the capacity of installed devices: pellet stoves or boilers, A/C air conditioning units (split/multi-split systems), heating and cooling heat pumps (air-water, water-water, ground-water), number and capacity solar collectors for hot water, number and power of photovoltaic panels.

• Preparation of reports on appropriate forms about the condition before and after the implementation of measures with confirmation. If the consultant identifies any irregularities during activities before and after the implementation of energy efficiency measures, they report them in writing to UNDP.

The consultant will be engaged under a Long-term Agreement on an on-call basis, based on the needs of the projects for specific short-term assignments, and in line with the submitted financial proposals.

Timing and reporting: 

The consultant will report to and work under direct supervision of the Programme manager of the project ‘’Strengthening capacities for increasing energy efficiency in residential sector in Montenegro‘’, in the Cluster for Inclusive and Green Growth. The consultant will be engaged under a Long-term Agreement on an on-call basis, based on the needs of CO projects for specific short-term assignments, and in line with the submitted financial proposal. Upon completion of the predefined tasks for each specific assignment, the consultant will be responsible to submit an invoice accompanied by the report, which should contain sufficient details and information that would allow for the appraisal of the effectiveness to date of the completed activities. The respective Project Manager/s should complete performance evaluations for every completed assignment for the needs of the project(s) they manage.

Time duration and travel: 

The consultant will be engaged for the period of 12 months, with possibility for an extension. The assignment will be home-based and in all towns across Montenegro. Local travel will be necessary. The local travel and accommodation costs will be covered by UNDP.

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
• Excellent communication skills, facility in working with teams and capacity to compose clear and readable narrative reports
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Shares knowledge and experience
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
• Ability to perform a variety of standard tasks related to Results Management, including collecting of documentation, data entering, preparation of revisions, filling, provision of information
• Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Required Skills and Experience

• University degree in in the areas relevant to the assignment (e.g. architecture, civil, mechanical or electrical engineering); 
• Experience on energy efficiency projects will be considered as an advantage for all required profiles.
• At least 2 years of professional experience;
• Familiarity with energy efficiency systems and technologies;
• Familiarity with sustainable and environmentally friendly business practices;
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills;
• Experience of working with UN would be an asset;
• Computer proficiency (MS Office package, Internet);