Technical Specialist – Sustainable Energy

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress. UNDP is the United Nations’ lead agency on international development. We support countries and communities as they work to eradicate poverty, implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We advocate for transformative change, and we connect countries to the resources they need to help people build a better life. UNDP plays a pivotal role in international development as a knowledge broker, capacity builder, innovator, and facilitator of exchanges in the global development debate. We connect countries to the knowledge, resources and networks they need to achieve development breakthroughs. Our work is summed up in our six signature solutions, adapted to context and powered by three potent enablers for greater impact. Responding in an integrated and coherent manner, we are determined to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet from degradation, ensure that all people have prosperous lives, with growth that occurs in harmony with nature, and to foster peaceful and inclusive societies. We are committed to mobilizing the means to implement the 2030 Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity.

Context

Panama’s National Energy Plan 2015-2050 suggests that 70% of the country’s energy supply could be renewable. Panama depends heavily on fossil fuels, which have historically accounted for roughly two-thirds of total primary energy supply. The country’s transport sector has until recently relied almost entirely on oil and oil products. At the same time, electricity demand in the country has continued to increase, reaching a peak demand of over 1 600 megawatts (MW) in 2015. To meet this growth, Panama introduced wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy in 2013, which reached 270 MW and 90 MW of installed capacity by 2016, respectively. However, fossil-fuelled generation from coal, oil and oil products still accounted for nearly one-third of power production in 2016, and plans are in place to bring natural gas-fired capacity on line in the years ahead. These developments make Panama’s transition to a sustainable energy future uncertain. However, in March 2016, the Government of Panama approved the National Energy Plan 2015-2050 (PEN 2015-2050) to serve as a long-term roadmap for diversifying the energy sector and advancing energy access, energy efficiency, energy security and the overall decarbonisation of the energy system. The plan compares a “business-as-usual” reference-case scenario with an alternative, ambitious scenario, and finds that under the reference-case scenario, Panama’s demand growth trajectory would lead to a higher share of coal in the power mix by 2050. The ambitious scenario, in contrast, suggests that renewable energy could reach 70% of the power supply in the next 35 years, while at the same time meeting growth in demand. Furthermore, under the ambitious scenario, a solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy scale-up, combined with hydropower, would account for 77% of installed power capacity by 2050.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the National Programme Officer / Manager CC, Energy, Environment & Sustainable Development, the UN Volunteer Technical Specialist – Sustainable Energy, will be responsible to support, advise, develop, and implement sustainable energy programs and/or projects, with focus on the renewable energy, energy efficiency and its relationship with climate change. 1) Provide support on the development and implementation of a sustainable energy subprogram within the environment, climate change and sustainable development cluster, to the main targets of SDG 7 on energy: ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services; work with Panamanian and international counterparts to make energy systems and usage more efficient; and work to increase renewable energy and energy transitions; 2) Provide support on overall management of the project activities focusing on achievement of the following results: -Provide technical advice to the UNDP team members working on this cluster and CO. -Develop new concept notes for projects proposals. -Assist with overall management and quality assurance of project inputs from the national and international consultants. -Support in preparation of Inception Report, AWPs and timely submission on progress reports to UNDP, Donor, and development partners. 3) Provide support/advice on Knowledge pieces formulation and replication focusing on achievement of the following results: -In coordination with program and project team, national and international consultants, technical specialist prepare and/or support knowledge pieces preparation sustainable energy for all activities. -Prepare a communication strategy including visibility of the success stories and implement the strategy accordingly in coordination with the Country Programme Manager / National Officer in charge and the Country Office Communication Team. -Summarize and synthesize the results of the project and lessons learnt. -Document best practices on sustainable energy for all design and budget, energy efficiency, climate change. 4) Provide support to Panamanian and international staff and volunteers, on the development policy, regulatory and technical tools to promote energy management systems and facilitate the transformation of markets for industrial energy equipment and provision of products and services; -Support the introduction and accelerated dissemination of new and best-available industrial energy technologies and methodologies, including energy systems optimization, low-carbon process technologies and international standards; -Promote business models for renewable energy-based mini-grids for enhancing access to energy, and demonstrate the social and economic viability of the selected technologies; -Promote business models and contribute to the development and deployment of industrial energy efficiency assessments and strategies; 5) Other Special Projects: -Perform other special projects and assignments as required by the CO and also beneficial for the development of the experience of the UNV Specialist