National Young Energy Professional

Tome

Organization: UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Location: Tome
Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
- Renewable Energy sector
Closing Date: Closed

Requisition ID: 1225
Grade : SB4 - Local Professional (Junior & Mid Level)
Country: Sao Tome and Principe
Duty Station : Sao Tome; mission travel as required.
Category: National Consultant
Type of job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Duration (tentative): One year

Application deadline: 20-Oct-2022

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL

Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, oversees the Organization's development of capacities for industrial development as well as industrial policy advice, statistics and research activities and the Organization's normative contribution to Member States and global development community in achieving the SDGs. The Directorate also ensures the application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to Environment, Energy, SMEs, Competitiveness and Job creation, as well as Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute toward effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results and on realizing any potential for scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The responsibility of the Division of Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE) is to assist Member States in the transition to a sustainable energy future through the application of renewable energy solutions for productive uses, adoption of the efficient concepts of energy use by industry and the introduction of low-carbon technologies and processes. In transitioning to a sustainable energy future, the challenges of addressing energy poverty and climate change are an integral part of the Division's activities, as is the dissemination of relevant knowledge and technologies and paths to plan, manage and finance the energy transition. It collaborates closely on relevant and converging issues with the Climate and Technology Partnerships Division (IET/CTP) and analytical and strategic matters with TCS/CPA and ODG/SPU.

This position is located under Energy Systems and Decarbonization Unit (TCS/DSE/ESD) focuses on promoting sustainable energy solutions and infrastructure for industrial development. It promotes industrial decarbonization through crosscutting solutions, such as optimized energy management systems and the deployment of renewable energy technologies. Bringing together the supply and demand side for disruptive energy solutions, both technical and business related, the Unit fosters transformative change on the system level driven by the convergence of key technologies such as distributed generation, digitization and storage. The Unit is also responsible for coordinating dialogues and partnerships at national, regional and global levels to promote disruptive energy solutions and shape policy change for this. Finally, the Unit positions UNIDO strategically in the global energy and climate change forums and coordinates the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres and related partnerships.

PROJECT CONTEXT: (SAP ID: 200158)

Project Title: Building institutional capacity for a renewable energy and energy efficiency investment programme for São Tomé and Principe.

UNIDO in partnership with the General Directorate for Natural Resources and Energy (DGRNE) of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Natural Resources (MIRN, former MOPIRNA) and the National Designated Authority (NDA) at the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Blue Economy (MPFEA) are implementing the GCF readiness project “Building institutional capacity for a renewable energy and energy efficiency investment programme for São Tomé and Principe”. The project is being implemented in close coordination with the ongoing UNIDO GEF project “Strategic program to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency investments in the electricity sector of São Tomé and Príncipe”.

The GCF project is based on results of the GEF funded interventions and aims to strengthen the capacities of the Government of Sao Tome and Principe (STP) to formulate and implement a paradigm-shift renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) investment program, which will enable the country to achieve its climate mitigation targets in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the 3rd National Communication on Climate Change (NCCC). Through RE&EE improvements, the country aims at reducing its GHG emissions significantly in comparison to the reference scenario 2012-2030.

The GCF project addresses demand and supply-side barriers which hinder the market introduction of new sustainable energy technology products, services and business models in STP. These barriers are linked to institutional capacity and coordination, policy and regulation, knowledge and awareness, qualification and certification, entrepreneurship and innovation, and access to finance and technology. The readiness project applies a holistic approach and focuses on a paradigm-shift of the entire energy sector. It builds on past and ongoing readiness activities and will complement and/or upscale existing support and close existing gaps in the sectors ranging from government ministries, private sector, energy producers/consumers and other stakeholders.

The GCF project includes support for RE&EE policy and regulation, knowledge management, capacity building, as well as investment and business facilitation. The focus of renewables lies on specific regulations and practical documents/procedures, which aim to reduce risks for private participation (e.g. IPPs, PPPs, auto-producers) and project finance (equity, concessional and non-concessional finance), particularly in the area of run-off-river micro/small hydro power and solar photovoltaics (PV). Moreover, the support will look into innovative areas such as the application of solar thermal systems in the health, tourism and industrial sector, energy storage and smart grids, as well as ocean energy technologies in the context of the blue economy. The activities in the energy efficiency sector focus particularly on energy efficiency standards for appliances and transport, as well as efficient cooking.

As part of the institution building activities, the GCF project includes the development and launch of a program for young energy and climate professionals, which will strengthen the future capacities of DGRNE and the NDA. Therefore, as part of the program UNIDO is recruiting a National Young Energy Professional (NYEP), which will be stationed in DGRNE/MIRN and will support the implementation of the GCF/GEF project activities.

Further information on the GCF and GEF projects are available at: https://open.unido.org/projects/ST/projects/200158 and https://open.unido.org/projects/ST/projects/150124.

DUTIES AND DELIVERABLES :

Under the supervision of the National Energy Program Coordinator (NEPC) at DGRNE/MIRN and in close coordination with the project management team at UNIDO Headquarters, the National Young Energy Professional (NYEP) will support the execution of key technical, administrative, and policy functions of the GCF/GEF projects. S/he will support the effective implementation of assigned project activities in line with established work plans, participate in key technical meetings, organize training and capacity-building events, and most importantly support the identification and development of new project concepts as outlined in the table below. The expert will also support the preparation of the joint GEF/GCF Project Steering Committee meetings. The NYEP will coordinate closely with the National Young Climate Professional (NYCP) at PD/NDA/MPFEA and other relevant energy and climate mitigation/adaptation stakeholders and partners. There is the possibility to extend the contract for another year depending on the demonstrated performance and commitment of the expert.

Specifically, the National Young Energy Professional has the following duties and responsibilities:

Main Duties

Concrete/measurable

Outputs to be achieved

Duration

Location

1. Project implementation, coordination and reporting

Support the NEPC and UNIDO team in HQs in the implementation of activities as outlined in the GCF/GEF project documents and agreed in the annual work plans;

Support the NEPC in providing substantive inputs and comments to the project periodic reporting, work plans, and coordinate assigned activities in coordination with local and international stakeholders;

Contribute to the organisation of the joint GCF/GEF PSC (Project Steering Committee) meetings, meetings on climate relevant RE&EE mitigation/modelling issues in coordination with the NYCP, involving a wide range of national, international and cross-sectoral stakeholders;

Contribute to the development and updating of the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and track progress in line with the established indicators in the results framework of the GEF/GCF project documents; complete baseline data as necessary;

Support the NEPC in the fulfilment of the technical and financial reporting requirements to UNIDO HQs; monitor continuously project progress, execution and performance; all written materials submitted to UNIDO should be of such a quality that no further editing is required;

Mainstream gender consideration in all aspects of project planning and implementation in line with the established gender indicators in the results frameworks of the GCF/GEF projects;

Contribute to the effective communication and coordination within the GCF/GEF PMU, and with local and international key stakeholders;

Provide flexible assistance on project related issues to UNIDO HQ project team. Participate and provide inputs in regular meetings;

Record, report and resolve project issues occurring during the execution within the tolerance level initially defined by the PSC;

Present the project regularly in national, regional and international for a as required; write press briefs and organize press conferences for the local media;

Work closely with UNIDO and the NDA on public relation activities and the dissemination of the project results, lessons learned and success stories; regularly update the web-portal and disseminate news through social media; closely cooperation with the Central African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CREEEAC, which is currently established by UNIDO in partnership with ECCAS.

Effective management, sound coordination and timely implementation of project activities in line with UNIDO and GCF rules and regulations.

Deliverables:

Implementation of the work plan; monitoring and evaluation plan; annual work plan (incl. budget) and progress report, documentation on the PSC meeting; press releases on DGRNE and GNSEC websites (Portuguese and English as applicable); technical and financial documents; meeting minutes.

12 work-months

São Tomé and Príncipe;

Local and International travel, as required.

2. Project execution and technical services

Support the UNIDO efforts to strengthen MIRN/DGRNE as execution partner for GCF interventions in line with international fiduciary standards; establish the internal controls within the PMU in line with UNIDO requirements; facilitate the implementation of relevant UNIDO assessments, trainings and contractual arrangements; cooperate with external auditors as required;

Regularly update the energy information system with relevant RE&EE and gender data and verification of GHG emission reduction data in the 3rd NCCC, all these in coordination with the NYCP;

Elaboration of terms of references (TORs) and technical specifications for hardware procurements and consultancy assignments, which requires extensive research, data collection and communication with local stakeholders of the relevant sectors (e.g. transport, buildings, industry); once contracted, contribute to the effective coordination of consultants and hardware suppliers;

Support contracted external consultants in the development of a broad range of baseline assessments, studies and analytics (e.g. EE for appliances and transport, efficient cooking, solar thermal, grid losses, net-metering and mini-grids, ocean energy) by providing background research, field data collection, and baseline studies;

Assist assigned external consultants in the drafting of various regulations related to vehicle emission standards and imports, net-metering, mini-grids, MEPS, as included in the GCF/GEF project documents;

Support the NEPC in the organisation of the regular validation meetings of the technical committees to review project deliverables and ensure coherence with other national institutions and international partner activities (e.g. UNDP, WB, AfDB); contribute to a gender-sensitive composition of the committee meetings;

Support the organization of a broad range of trainings, capacity building workshops and meetings as included in the GCF/GEF project documents (e.g. project appraisal and finance, application of modelling tools e.g. HOMER Pro, RETScreen, LEAP, climate and gender, cooking solar thermal, cooking, standards for transport and appliances, storage); prepare agendas, concept notes, budgets, minutes and reports as required. The expert shall implement strategies to ensure at least 40% of women participation in trainings;

In line with BAT/BEP[1] principles, support minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) developments for lightening, refrigeration and air conditioning, transport fuel economy and vehicles adapted for and tailored to the needs and local context of STP including a verification and monitoring mechanisms. Provide assistance on training workshops organization and/or train the trainers on MEPs and EE related activities;

Support governments efforts to reduce electricity losses, develop standards and propose measures to prohibit antitheft in the power sector (including awareness raising to electricians, power distributers and consumers); contribute to the envisaged campaign on reducing electricity losses;

Support the application of the translated UNIDO guidelines and standards for the development and operation of small hydropower plants in STP in close partnership with the utility, regulator and private sector; support the application of the developed guidelines and templates for renewable energy mini-grids and support envisaged regulatory and capacity building activities.

Support the implementation of renewable energy investment projects, co-funded under the GCF/GEF projects, in close coordination with the project promotors and relevant energy and financial institutions (e.g. OTEC plan, solar PV project St. Amaro).

Documentation on provided institution building support (documents, guidelines, workshops).

Operative energy information system with verified RE&EE, gender and climate data.

TORs and technical specifications, concept notes.

Concept notes on workshops, training sessions, agendas, workshops reports, inputs provided to external consultants, review reports. All reports shall contain gender data.

Baseline and technical reports and analyses, minutes, agendas and briefing reports, revision of deliverables provided by external consultants. Technical analyses and reports, regulations proposals. Training sessions and reports, including relevant data on gender participation.

Documentation on investment projects (e.g. feasibility studies, project implementation reports, signed contracts).

3. Project Development

In line with the GCF project document, support the development of a national sustainable energy investment plan and program and assist DGRNE/NDA in the submission of GCF concept notes (e.g. mini-grids and stand-alone system for productive uses, efficient transport, OTEC demonstration plant);

Coordinate disaggregated data collection and contribute to the development of feasibility studies for renewable energy projects, including crosscutting energy themes (e.g., clean cooking, energy for productive uses, household energy, gender and energy).

Bankable energy concept notes drafted and submitted to multilateral donors (GCF, Adaptation Fund, and GEF).

Participate in providing technical inputs expanding project concepts to Full sized projects (FSP), meeting minutes, workshops reports.

Data analysis and feasibility conducted among relevant R&EE areas, responding to the priorities of STP and its energy transition goals.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

Core Values

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard, competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key Competencies:

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential – and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

Advanced university degree in energy or power systems engineering, energy economics or another relevant discipline with a specialization in energy; a focus on renewable energy and/or energy efficiency is an asset;

Technical and Functional Experience:

A minimum of three (3) years of practical work experience in the energy sector, including in the field of renewable energy and/or energy efficiency;
Demonstrated knowledge regarding key aspects of the electric power sector, renewable energy and energy efficiency in the STP context (e.g. project development and operation, policy and regulatory framework, qualification, standardization, infrastructure);
Quantity and quality of provided track-record of developed and implemented energy projects or assignments;
Previous experience in working with/for key stakeholders of the national energy/electricity sector, including the utility, DGRNE/MIRN and AGER; well-established network demonstrated;
Experience in dealing with international development partners, including United Nations is desirable;
Experience with the development and implementation of GCF/GEF funded projects is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language, and/or Portuguese is desirable.

[1] Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside.
Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System.

Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process.

Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO web site for details on how to apply: www.unido.org
NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org.

This vacancy is now closed.