Background

Jordan currently faces a serious energy challenge because it lacks domestic energy resources and exhibits an ever greater demand for energy to fuel its social and economic development. The demand for energy in Jordan is increasing at a rate of 3% annually and close to 6% in terms of the demand for electricity.

Jordan has many environmental challenges, yet it has decided to prioritize moving to a low carbon economy driven by the ever increasing energy costs to the economy. Jordan predicts an energy crisis if energy consumptions rates continue to rise and if the country continues to rely on its current energy capabilities and technologies.

The National Energy Strategy 2008-2020 aims to supply 29 per cent of energy needs from natural gas, 14 per cent from oil shale, 10 per cent from renewable energy resources (the previous goal was 3 per cent in the 2005 National Agenda) and 6 per cent from nuclear energy by 2020. The investments needed to meet this target ranges from approximately US $1.4 to $2.2 billion. The strategy aims at decreasing oil usage from almost 60 per cent presently to 40 per cent by 2020. Furthermore, the strategy calls for Build, Operate, Transfer (BOT) ventures, for wind and solar energy facilities, producing 660 megawatts and 600 megawatts, respectively.

In 2010 Jordan enacted a Renewable Energy Law that provides for the legal framework for the sector. The law chiefly aims at facilitating domestic and international projects and streamlining the investment process. The Law permits and encourages the exploitation of renewable energy sources at any geographical location in the Kingdom. The Law also creates a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund. The Law permits home-produced energy to be sold to grid thereby accelerating the adoption of clean energy technologies at both residential and commercial levels.

As a result of the sudden increase of world oil prices in 2009, the government adopted a fiscal incentive to exempt all RE & EE imports from custom and sales taxes. Other aspects of the strategy include economic and fiscal incentives, such as grants and tax exemptions to encourage the usage of energy efficient vehicles (e.g. hybrid vehicles), the removal of sales tax on solar water heaters and the formulation of building code regulations that foster efficient energy usage.
In response to the many energy challenges, the energy strategy of Jordan emphasizes:

• Significant progress in and expansion of, all types of clean energy technologies;
• Encouraging prudence in energy usage, and cost effective demand management;
• Sustainable economic growth and ecological preservation;
• Creation of an energy grid, utilizing renewable sources, to be supplied to rural areas.

Renewable energy resources can safeguard an economy against fluctuations in energy prices, but they must also be accompanied by increasing energy efficiency to round out energy policy in a green economy. The nation can save one fifth of its energy usage over the next 12 years by promoting energy conservation, taxing excessive energy use, improving insulation, adopting energy efficiency labels, increasing the energy efficiency of homes and using lower voltage bulbs and devices which allow for the dimming of lights.

Thus UNDP, in cooperation with its partners in Jordan, seeks development of low-carbon initiatives to help the country in addressing energy challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of this consultancy is to work with the Government of Jordan and other stakeholders, with the support of UNDP, to develop a project proposal that is eligible for funding by the Global Environment Facility (GEF-6), and is technically feasible/attractive according to UNDP criteria. The consultant will develop a Project Identification Form (PIF) document together with an associated UNDP Environment & Social Safeguards screening report. The focus of the sought PIF will be on climate mitigation aspects, specifically relating to Renewable Energy (RE) and/or Energy Efficiency (EE).

In particular, the PIF must demonstrate consistency with the emerging GEF climate mitigation strategy for GEF-6 and with GEF eligibility criteria (e.g. incrementality, mobilization of co-financing, cost-effective greenhouse gas mitigation, etc). The proposed project will also demonstrate that it contributes to the implementation of Jordan's priorities in climate mitigation options and related national policy strategies and action plans.

The GEF-6 climate change mitigation strategy is evolving and has not yet been finalized. Emerging themes for GEF-6 include: the importance of NAMAs and linking projects with the priorities identified in National Communications and Biennial Update Reports; risk-mitigation tools and financial mechanisms such as hedging instruments, risk insurance and public co-investments; technology transfer; performance-based payment mechanisms for achieving emission reductions; promoting integrated low-carbon cities; and emphasizing synergies between climate change mitigation and adaptation actions.

Major Tasks:

• Conduct extensive national consultations with national stakeholders, local donors and potential implementing agencies on national priorities in sustainable energy developments;
• Review relevant documents (reports, plans, acts, legislation, procedures, studies/assessments) related to RE & EE in Jordan;
• Visit and identify the key stakeholders to be involved in the formulation and implementation of the project;
• Identify other donors’ agendas in the energy sector in Jordan;
• Building on this information, develop the baseline situation for the project and identify planned or on-going initiatives that could serve as a baseline project for the GEF investment;
• Building upon the Jordan's strategies and policies in energy sector, and taking into account the ongoing projects (by UNDP or other donors) and other national policy and planning frameworks, justify the rationale, legitimacy and strategy of the project;
• Conduct the development of this project proposal through a consultative process with other regional and international partners;
•  Work in close cooperation with UNDP CO and other stakeholders in order to define the project budget;
• Formulate, in close consultation with all key stakeholders, a draft PIF addressing the following issues;
• Development of the problem tree and sketching of the intervention strategy;
• Identification of several possible scenarios for intervention and identification of the most cost-effective approach within the GEF strategic objective;
• Preliminary identification of key areas for piloting and implementation;
• Preparation of the project results framework– including indicative indicators – and GEF tracking tool;
• Identification of main risks and associated mitigation measures according to the UNDP typology and approach to risk management;
• GHG emissions reduction potential, calculated according to the appropriate GEF methodology;
• Identification of co-financiers and indicative amounts of co-financing.

• Deliverable 1: Mission Report includes proposed objectives, scope and strategies for new project; 
• Deliverable 2 Draft PIF;
• Deliverable 3:  Draft UNDP Environment & Social Safeguards screening report for the proposed project;
• Deliverable 4: Final PIF and E&SS screening report.

Competencies

• Displays cultural, gender religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptibillity;
• Demonstrate integrity and fairness, by modelling the UN/UNDP's value and ethical standards;
• Good communication and presentation skills;
• Ability to work with a broad range of individuals of diverse institutions and levels;
• Proven experience in undertaking similar assignments;
  
• Ability to work in a team, excellent analytical and communication skills;
• Good inter-personal and facilitation skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Postgraduate or other advanced university degree related to climate mitigation, sustainable energy, environmental management or relevant disciplines. 
  

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in drafting UNDP/GEF project PIFs and documents;
• Proven working experience in the field of climate mitigation and energy in developing countries, ideally in an Arab State context;
• Demonstrated experience in capacity development initiatives, notably at the systemic and institutional levels;
• Extensive conceptual and practical knowledge of UNDP/GEF systems and practices;
• Demonstrated ability of analytical and report drafting work;
  
• Extensive experience analyzing data and preparing analytical reports.

Language:

• Written and spoken proficiency in English.
  

FC: 31900