UNDP Jobs - 110330- IC-2022-146 Technical Expert on project evaluation

IC-2022-146 Technical Expert on project evaluation for the application of the financial support mechanism for small-scale RES projects (Technical Expert 2)

Location :

Home-based, KAZAKHSTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

06-Dec-22 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

Languages Required :

Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

December 2022 - May 2023

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

00101058 – UNDP - GEF Project "Derisking Renewable Energy Investment" (DREI) is announcing a vacancy for the position of

IC-2022-146 Technical Expert on project evaluation for the application of the financial support mechanism for small-scale RES projects (Technical Expert 2)

Duty station: Home based in the Republic of Kazakhstan, with no more than 7 trips to the following directions: northern Kazakhstan - Petropavlovsk, Kostanay, Kokshetau; central Kazakhstan - Astana, Karaganda; Southern Kazakhstan - Shymkent, Turkestan.

Your offer should be submitted not later than 15:00 (Astana time) on December 06, 2022, to the e-mail address procurement.kz@undp.org with indication of reference number IC-2022-146 in the subject line.

NOTICE: Detailed information and submission forms are available here: https://procurement-notices-admin.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=97020

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RATIONALE

The UNDP-GEF project aims to remove the barrier that hinders investment in the implementation of small-scale renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan - the high cost of loans for SMEs. To overcome this barrier, within the framework of the UNDP-GEF Project, a financial support mechanism (FSM) is being implemented, which involves subsidizing a part of the loans principal of SMEs to finance several (up to 5) small-scale renewable energy projects, in partnership with JSC Entrepreneurship Development Fund "DAMU" (Responsible Party).

Together with partners and above all with the Responsible Party, the UNDP-GEF Project will also provide training and support for the capacity of SMEs to ensure the flow of promising SME projects.

The immediate expected result of this Component 3 of the UNDP-GEF Project is the mobilization of commercial bank loans for SMEs to support their activities in the field of small-scale renewable energy projects. This result, in turn, will lead to several key development impacts, including the creation of new and the preservation of existing jobs in the private sector, the reduction of social tensions; increase in tax revenues and other revenues of the local budget; saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and improving housing conditions and reducing energy costs for SMEs.

The UNDP-GEF project and the Responsible Party require expert support to analyze the technical characteristics and social and environmental risks of the Applicants and their projects (at the stage of their commissioning) for their compliance with the criteria for providing financial support, eligibility of spending of subsidized loans proceeds, as well as additionality criteria and a positive global environmental impact (reduction in energy consumption and consequent avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions). The UNDP-GEF project will provide a form for the final evaluation of projects in accordance with the evaluation methodology -Application1 to this Terms of Reference. The receipt of the subsidy by the Applicant will depend on the opinion of the Technical Expert 2.

GOAL:

The goal of the DREI project is to promote private sector investment in renewable energy sources (RES) in Kazakhstan to achieve Kazakhstan's renewable energy targets for 2030 and 2050. The DREI project targets both large scale and small-scale renewable energy generation. The goal of the project is to achieve the transformation of the energy market in Kazakhstan by expanding the use of renewable energy sources in the electric power industry from the share of renewable energy sources of 0.77% to 10% by 2030, i.e., increase the production of renewable energy by about 10 times.

To achieve the goal, the project includes activities to support renewable energy projects, which should reduce emissions of at least 460,000 tons of CO2. In addition, by the end of the project, the project should support the commissioning of 9.5 MW of capacity, small-scale renewable energy (RES) generation, which will produce about 500 GWh of energy.

The project includes three components:

Component 1 - Large Scale Renewable Energy: Policy and Financial Measures to Reduce Investment Risks.
Component 2 - Renewable Energy for Life: Policy Measures to Reduce Risks.
Component 3 - Renewable Energy for Life: Financial Measures to Reduce Risks; information and education.

This consulting assignment is part of Activity 3.2.5 under Component 3 / Output 3.2

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Department of Environment and Energy and in close cooperation with experts and project partners, the Technical Expert 2 will work on the following tasks:

Confirms the facts of successful completion of projects and commissioning of small-scale RES facilities / completion of works, in an amount that will be determined by the actual situation (no more than 5 facilities / sites), in accordance with the Rules for the provision of financial support (hereinafter referred to as the Rules):

Evaluates the declared technical and technological solutions used in the project and confirms or does not confirm the actual parameters compliance with of the implemented project, as well as the compliance to the conditions of the Rules.

Check the eligible use of funds in accordance with the Rules (if misuse of funds is detected, determine the proportions of eligible and non-eligible use, if possible).
Reconciles the actually installed equipment and declared equipment and technologies described in the appendices to the Rules, filled in by the Project Applicant at the time of applying for support under the GIF, and described in the opinion of Technical Expert 1 at the stage of project approval.
Reviews the management of environmental and social risks within the projects (if they have been identified by Technical Expert 1 and are reflected in the Risk Log for each specific project).

The conclusion in writing and / or electronically (signed electronically) in accordance with Annex 4-A to the Rules and sent to the Responsible Party DAMU within 2 (two) working days after the monitoring visit, with a copy to the UNDP-GEF Project.

Competencies

Higher education in economics and / or technical field.
Excellent command of written and spoken Russian. Knowledge of the Kazakh language is an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

At least 5 years of experience in research or analytical activities in the field of renewable energy, including for international development institutions and international organizations.
At least 5 years of practical experience in implementing small-scale renewable energy projects.
Experience in analyzing risks arising from the implementation of technical projects.
Experience in attracting and / or supporting financing for small-scale renewable energy projects (in commercial banks / microfinance organizations / leasing companies / international organizations / government organizations or support programs / non-profit organizations).