Lead Environmental Engineer - Biofuels (retainer position)

Nordic Support for Progress of North Macedonia

A) The Government of Norway has decided to fund a sub-regional programme “Nordic Support for Progress in North Macedonia” to be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The project consists of a socio-economic development support to the more undeveloped parts of the country and also envisages support to the Macedonian authorities responsible for leading the renewed efforts on the EU accession process. 

The Government of Norway has allocated funding for the implementation of the Project in Macedonia during 24 months.

The Overall Objective is to contribute to a more balanced socio-economic development and contribute to the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement and EU accession negotiations priorities. 

Specifically, the programme has objectives at the local and national levels i.e. locally, to increase employment opportunities, support social cohesion as well as to enhance local infrastructure in the less developed areas with a focus given to the inclusion of youth, women and vulnerable groups in the labour market. Nationally, the programme aims at supporting the government to improve its capacity for EU integration and government reform agenda in the accession process

All Project activities will be undertaken in partnership and cooperation with national and local institutions, with the aim of allowing them to adopt/adapt the legal requirements and, where relevant, EU accession criteria. This will ensure national ownership and support the development of national capacities.

B) The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency has decided to fund a project “Support to progress in North Macedonia - Government reform agenda in the EU-accession process” to be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The objective of the project supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) is to support the enhancement of the EU integration capacity of the Republic of North Macedonia by providing technical assistance to government institutions during the accession period. 

SIDA has allocated funding for the implementation of the project in Macedonia during 24 months.

The Overall Objective of the SIDA support is to contribute to, and effectively communicate to the public, the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, accession negotiations and government reform priorities in the Republic of North Macedonia. 

Project interventions are aimed towards communicating the benefits of the EU accession process to the general population, as well as to involve the civil society and media throughout the accession phases. All project activities will be undertaken in partnership with the Government of Macedonia, in cooperation with the national institutions, with the aim of allowing them to adopt/adapt the legal requirements and, where relevant, EU accession criteria. 

This will ensure national ownership and support the development of national capacities.

Background Information – relevant for the assignment

The purpose of Result 1 “Supporting the government reform agenda in the accession process” is to provide support to relevant national institutions in charge of alignment of national legal acts with the EU acquis and to contribute to further building of capacities of central coordination structures and relevant national structures for successful closure of the screening process. The overall process is coordinated by the Secretariat for. European Affairs (SEA), as main coordination body in the accession negotiation process.

The National Programme for Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA), as key strategic and planning document in the accession negotiation process is planned, monitored and updated on a regular basis. NPAA is prepared and monitored by established 33 working groups, for each chapter of the acquis.

NPAA comprises a comprehensive analysis of the EU Acquis, listing short- and medium-term priorities in planning reforms, policies and strategies, plan and schedule for harmonization of national legislation with the Acquis, administrative structures for implementation of legislation in terms of capacity building, establishment new/or restructuring the existing, human resource development and training needs, as well as financial resources. NPAA is revised every year, taking into account European Commission Progress Reports and possible updates of the EU acquis. NPAA is a good base for preparation of the administration for the screening process and preparation of negotiation positions in the negotiation process.

The Ministry of Economy (ME) is responsible institution for chapter 15 Energy Policy. The national policy in the field of energy is defined by the Energy Law and the Strategy for Developing the Energy Sector until 2040. All other documents, including acts of secondary legislation, action plans, implementation programs etc., stem out from these two underlying documents and are aligned with them. Within the ME, the Energy Sector is responsible for strategic planning, preparation of legislation, development of energy policy, including energy efficiency and promoting use of renewable energy, and monitoring and collection of data related to generation, supply and demand of energy. The Energy Law implements the provisions and obligations from the Third Energy Package of EU and the Directive for Renewable Energy Sources. This Directive is partially transposed, lacking the part that refers to biofuels, which sets the need for preparation of separate law on biofuels. With assignment of this expert, the process of legislative alignment is expected to be streamlined, which will result in better alignment with the acquis under the Energy Community Treaty and the EU energy acquis, better conditions for performing energy activities, a stable legal and regulatory framework and higher potential for investments in the energy sector. These priorities are defined in the EC country report 2019. In NPAA 2020– 2025, Law on Biofuels is envisaged to be adopted in Q4 2020.

All relevant documents for this assignment will be provided by the project in cooperation with the Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA) and Ministry of Economy (ME). ME will serve as focal point, designate contact person/coordinator to facilitate the work of selected Engineer, and will establish a working group for drafting the Law on Biofuels.

More specifically, the Engineer will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

• Analyse current conditions for production, use and trade of biofuels in North Macedonia
• Analyse obligations of North Macedonia related to the Biofuels under the Energy Community Treaty (EnC Treaty) and relevant decisions of EnC Ministerial Council
• Take part in WG and contribute in drafting the Law on Biofuels by providing initial draft and taking further part in fine-tuning
• Advise and recommend most sustainable approach in transposition of the RES Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and its amendments, including but not limited to the following:

  • Mainstreaming renewable energy in the transport sector

  • Specific rules for biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels produced from food and feed crops

  • Calculation rules with regard to minimum shares of renewable energy in the transport sector

  • Other provisions on renewable energy in the transport sector

  • Sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria for biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels

  • Verification of compliance with sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria

  • Calculation of greenhouse gas impact of biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels

• Contribute in preparation of the draft Regulatory Impact Assessment on Law on Biofuels 
• Contribute in preparation of the explanatory note on the Law on Biofuels 
• Participate in providing feedback during workshops and  public hearing organized by the ME, on the text of the Law on Biofuels

• Advanced University Degree in engineering related to biofuels technology or similar discipline relevant to the assignment, is required
• University Degree (Bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

• Five years with master’s degree or seven years with bachelor’s degree, experience in the field of biofuels technology is required
• Knowledge of specific EU acquis, including RES Directive (EU) 2018/2001, in energy field and knowledge of  adopted relevant standards in Republic of North Macedonia (MKS), is strongly desirable

• Fluency in English and Macedonian (speaking, reading and writing) is required

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been active in Serbia since 2000, and the operations of UNOPS Serbia Project Office (RSPO) have since 2017 expanded to North Macedonia and Montenegro.

UNOPS has been a reliable partner primarily of the Government of Serbia, and later of the Governments of North Macedonia and Montenegro, in providing support for demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union.

Currently, the RSPO is implementing 12 projects focussed on sustainable socio-economic development, social cohesion, creating environment for employability, business and infrastructure growth, increased security, improved education, enhanced social inclusion either via enabling durable housing solutions or providing access to health, education and jobs for the most vulnerable population. All projects have good governance and gender equality as transversal themes. UNOPS projects are contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals framework and objectives.