Background

From an energy consumption perspective, Bosnia and Herzegovina is characterized as a country with very high inefficiency within the residential, non-residential/public, industry and service sector. At the same time however, Bosnia and Herzegovina has one of the most significant energy conservation potentials in the region and could base its further mid-term economic development and generation of new employment on energy efficiency improvement measures in the residential and public sector. Currently, BiH consumes about 20% of its GDP on energy1, which is three times higher than in the U.S. and EU countries. Moreover, the average energy consumption of a public building in Bosnia and Herzegovina is three times higher than the EU average, categorizing them as completely energy inefficient buildings (in accordance to EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme – EMAS). In order to meet this energy intensive consumption demand, a significant amount of budget funds must be allocated for energy expenditures of public buildings (educational, health, cultural, municipal and entity/state institutions etc.) representing a major proportion of the already inadequate public budget.
Based on the results achieved so far, the Green Economic Development project (GED) has been developed and will focus on scaling-up and creation of self-sustainability within energy efficiency related activities in BiH and contribution to BiH‘s EU accession and fulfilment of Energy Community Treaty obligations. In order to achieve improvements in the sector, the project developed two set of aims (short-term and mid-term).
Short-term aim:

• create interest and motivate public sector buildings’ end-users to invest into energy efficiency by promoting grant co-financing;
• develop capacity and skills of BiH government levels (systematic approach to decision making processes of energy efficiency investments);
• achieve budget cost savings through implementation of EE projects in public sector buildings and reinvest savings into energy efficiency or other infrastructure projects.

Mid-term aim:

• institutionalize energy monitoring and reporting mechanisms / energy management;
• generate employment of domestic workforce;
• increase public awareness and understanding of EE benefits;
• develop and adopt sustainable financial mechanisms for EE project financing (performance based granting, revolving mechanisms, soft-loans, etc.);
• contribute to BiH’s EU accession (EPBD and EED directives);
• lower the risk to enter EE investments/provide loans for EE investments in BiH. 

The GED Technical Assistant provides project support services ensuring high quality, reliability, accuracy and consistency of work. The GED Technical Assistant support and assist E&E Sector Technical Expert on activities related to EE policy development, energy efficiency, energy management (EMIS), renewable energy, emission reduction and supervision of infrastructure works and will operate from the central office in Sarajevo. S/he will support projects with expertise and relevant understanding in day-to-day implementation of projects, and contribute to smooth collaboration with implementing partners and beneficiaries. S/he will be providing all needed support in handling overall direction, development and oversight of in-depth related knowledge and work in delivering project activities. In addition, the GED Technical Expert will assist in technical preparation of regular reporting to project partners.
The GED Technical Assistant promotes a client, quality and results-oriented approach. S/he works in close collaboration with E&E Sector Leader, GED Project Manager, E&E Sector Technical Expert and GED Project Associates to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

1. Support to the implementation of GED project activities
2. Facilitation of information and knowledge sharing and knowledge building within the GED project;
3. GED project activities Quality Assurance

1.  Support to the implementation of GED project activities

• Supports the development of energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy management policies and monitoring-verification- reporting mechanisms;
• Supports the development of in-house energy tools, studies and publications;
• Supports Technical Expert in execution of energy efficiency, renewable energy, emission reduction calculations and studies;
• Drafting of concept and/or project design drawings (mechanical engineering);
• Supervision of infrastructure works/constructions (investment supervisor);
• Supports Technical Expert in verification and evaluation of energy studies;
• Supports the development of reports;
• Supports the development of action plans, work plans;
• Supports tender processes necessary for the implementation of the project activities;
• Drafting of routine official correspondence/documents and assists in the preparation of new project documents;
• Represents and provides support to organizing and holding meetings, including the preparation and dissemination of information and follow-up.

2. Facilitation of information and knowledge sharing and knowledge building within the GED project;

• Enhances and contributes to inter-project information and knowledge sharing on GED-going activities, potential correlated activities, complementary and synergy working possibilities;
• Contributes to knowledge building and understanding of energy / renewable energy / emission reduction related issues;
• Supports and contributes to inter-project capacity development;
• Support in the organization of project knowledge management activities;
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in projects;
• Sound contributions to relevant knowledge networks and communities of practice.

3. Quality Assurance of GED project activities

• Acts as energy related focal point for tendering activities;
• Acts as energy related focal point for in-house cross-checking / quality assurance activities of deliverables by third parties (e.g. consultants, assemblers etc.);
• Acts as energy related focal point for in-house cross-checking / quality assurance activities;
• Assists in timely reporting;
• Support timely project activity delivery and submission of reports.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing Policy-Oriented Agenda
Preparing information for advocacy

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management
Contributes into results through primary research and analysis

• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;
• Researches linkages across project/sector activities to identify critical points of integration;
• Monitors specific stages of projects implementation
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development
• Assist to Technical expert in monitoring field/on-site visits, upon engagement of a Construction Company for the provision of re/construction activities for the specific required projects (introduction of construction companies to the site, on-site visits and final reception) during the specific assignment;
• Provides support to Technical Expert in assurance that technical documentation on construction site is maintained in accordance with relevant national laws and standards and contract for works

Building Strategic Partnerships
Maintaining a network of contacts

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues
• Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches
Enhancing processes or products

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things.
• Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Resource Mobilization
Providing inputs to resource mobilization strategies

• Maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors
• Maintains database of project files
• Provides data and information needed for preparation of project documents.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
Fundamental knowledge of own discipline

• Understands the main processes and methods of work relating to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Establishing effective client relationships

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm and in control even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each employee;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Ability and willingness to travel within BiH.

Required Skills and Experience

•  University degree in mechanical engineering;
• Authorization for main project design, supervision and energy auditing would be an asset;
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience within execution and development of following energy related projects:

1. Fuel-switch;
2. Energy efficiency (residential and non-residential sector);
3. Energy management;
4. Biomass project;
5. Design of main technical drawings (energy);
6. Experience in supervision of energy projects (engineering supervision, supervising construction, commissioning, start-up activities);
7. Development of energy related studies (Writing functional descriptions, specifications and other technical documents);
8. Experience in development of energy related policy mechanisms

• 3 years of experience in working with energy related international projects;
• Experience and existing contacts/networking in working with energy related state and entity authorities;
• Knowledge of BiH regulations and requirements on procurement, tendering and contracting;
• Experience in the usage of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, as well as engineering software (GIS, AutoCAD, etc.).
• Excellent English and Bosnian language skills, both written and oral.