The objective of the Project is to systematically de-carbonize the existing building stock in Armenia to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while achieving sustainable development benefits through focusing on creating a favorable market environment and a scalable business model for investment in energy efficiency retrofits by addressing market barriers. The barriers to energy efficient building renovation will be addressed through a combination of policy and financial de-risking instruments and targeted financial incentives to key market players. The Project is structured under four components:  building sector Monitoring, Report and Verification (MRV) and knowledge management; policy de-risking; financial de-risking; and financial incentives. The Project’s main objective is to ensure sizeable energy savings and accompanying GHG emissions reductions in both public and residential buildings, and will also ensure the co-benefits of green job creation and poverty reduction. In addition to funding from the Green Climate Fund, the Project will catalyze private and public sector financing for achieving the objectives and quantified indicators set in the Project Document.

UNDP will implement the Project funded by the Green Climate Fund in cooperation with the Yerevan Municipality and the European Investment Bank (EIB), and other international and national financing institutions. This Project, providing technical and investment assistance for energy efficiency retrofitting of multi-apartment and public buildings if implemented successfully, has the potential to be scaled-up throughout Armenia and across the region.

UNDP will work with the Government, city municipalities/administrations, financing institutions, private sector stakeholders and energy service companies (ESCos) to deploy the most cost-effective combination of policy and financial de-risking instruments.

The Project International Technical Consultant is expected to work in close cooperation with the Project team during the Project planning and implementation. Under the overall guidance of the Regional Technical Adviser for UNDP-GCF project, under direct supervision of the UNDP Armenia Sustainable Growth and Resilience (SGR) Programme Analyst  and in close cooperation with UNDP Armenia Climate Change Programme Coordinator and the Project Manager, the Project International Technical Consultant (acting in his/her individual capacity) will be tasked with the following specific duties and responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise and strategic guidance to planning of all project components following the project objectives, mid- and long-term targets, assuming quality control of interventions, and support the Project Manager in coordination of the implementation of planned activities as stipulated in the project document/work plan;
• Work closely with the Project Manager in coordinating and facilitating inputs of government agencies, partner organizations, financing sector, scientific and research institutions, subcontractors, and national and international experts in a timely and effective manner;
• Support the development of comprehensive framework, including legal and institutional, for market-oriented mechanism  for energy efficiency retrofits in different types of public and residential buildings;
• Ensure that technical contracts meet the highest standards; provide input into development of Terms of Reference for sub-contracts, recommend best approaches, provide technical peer function to sub-contractors; provide training and backstopping where necessary;
• Review reports of national and international consultants, project budget revisions, and administrative arrangements as required by GCF-UNDP procedures;
• Assist the Project Management Team (PMT) in monitoring the project progress and impact, including AWPs, mid-term review and reporting;
• Support the PMT in project-related meetings, as might be required;
• Help guide and coordinate the work of all key local and international consultants, ensuring the timely delivery of expected outputs, and effective synergy among the various sub-contracted activities;
• Provide other consultancy as might be required. 

Note:  For each single specific call-offs, the respective detailed ToR with specified outputs and applicable number of working days will follow in line with the main scope of works of this assignment.   

Payment Mode

A daily based payable modality is envisaged upon submission of deliverables and acceptance/approval by UNDP CO for each identified task (reflected in the agreed and signed specific TOR) and based on cumulative number of days factually spent. Costs of country visits will be reimbursed separately.

• Demonstrated knowledge of United Nations, UNFCCC, Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund  and other carbon related financing, policy, requirements and procedures;
• Understanding of institutional and legal challenges for introducing the energy efficiency targets in the building’s sector in countries with economies in transition;
• Strong analytic and strategic thinking to advise on de-risking the buildings energy efficiency investments in public and residential sectors;
• Proven knowledge of communication tools, excellent – concise and easy understandable writing and presentation skills, computer literacy;
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different professional, social and cultural backgrounds;
• Flexibility to easily adapt to the modifications of assignment as needed and/or induced by policy or scenario change;
• Strong track record with producing high quality research and strong quantitative skills in project design, scenario analysis;
• Excellent coordination and collaboration skills, with ability to work under time pressure and handle multiple activities and projects concurrently.
• Good communication, analytical and writing skills

Education:          

• Master’s degree in Energy, Economics, Financing or Environmental Sciences.

 Experience:   

• At least 12 years of experience in designing and implementing technical assistance projects in the area of climate change mitigation.
• Experience with buildings’ energy efficiency sector of at least 8 years or alternatively with at least 10 projects is a must.
• Solid experience with international projects financed by Global Environmental Facility and Green Climate Fund.
• Experience with project planning and consulting, including the effective provision of substantive leadership and guidance, oversight, monitoring and reporting for projects/programmes with similar scale, scope and complexity.
• Experience and good knowledge of transition economies, with solid experience in the CIS countries and Caucasus being a must.

Languages:      

• Proficiency in English and Russian.