Consultant - Project Facilitation & Development Specialist (Vanuatu)

                                                                    Vacancy Announcement

                                           Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

                                                 Country Engagement and Partnerships (CEP) Division

Publication/Transmission Date:                05 May 2023

Deadline for Application:                          04 June 2023 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi local Time)

Title and Grade:                                          Consultant-Project Facilitation & Development Specialist 

Indicative Daily Rate:                                 USD150daily rate for 20 working days per month

Duration of Appointment:                         Nine months

Duty Station:                                               Port Vila, Vanuatu

Background

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an inter-governmental organisation mandated with the widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. IRENA supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource, and financial knowledge on renewable energy. At present, IRENA has 168 Members (167 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute, and 16 additional States in the process of accession and actively engaged. IRENA, with its unique mandate and near-universal membership, is aiming to become a centre of excellence for global renewable energy information with an integrated approach to data and information management. The Country Engagement and Partnerships (CEP) Division facilitates IRENA’s support to its member countries in the development and implementation of national and regional renewable energy programmes through the regional and partnership initiatives and tailored country support. For the Small Island Developing States, the support is provided through the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative and help SIDS in achieving their commitments to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals through energy transformation and climate action.

Vanuatu, as one of the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative partners has requested technical assistance for project pipeline development and facilitation support in accessing the appropriate financing for implementation of renewable energy projects. This is aligned to the Vanuatu Low Emission Development Strategy that has put in place an action plan to realise Vanuatu’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitment to the Paris Agreement, which is to transition to 100% renewables in electricity generation by 2030. This in turn contributes to energy cost reductions and improving the quality of life. 

IRENA and the Department of Energy of Vanuatu have agreed to jointly facilitate the development of renewable energy projects and their access to finance, benefitting from the IRENA’s project facilitation platforms such as the Climate Investment Platform, the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing Platform (ETAF) as well as the Vanuatu National Green Energy Fund. This will include introduction of potentially bankable RE projects to potential financiers, including international, regional, and local financial institutions as well as private sector partners.

To facilitate this process, IRENA agreed to support the Vanuatu Department of Energy including recruitment of a project specialist (Consultant) who can contribute to developing a pipeline of renewable energy projects which contributes to NDC targets, facilitates access to appropriate financing, and strengthening capacity in terms of developing bankable project proposals in coordination with the key stakeholders in the Vanuatu’s energy sector. These include, but are not limited to, the Ministries and Divisions responsible for energy transition, climate action and other stakeholders such as the UNELCO power utility, Utilities Regulatory Authority, private sector, local and regional financing institutions as well as development partners.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Under the guidance of the Head - Partnerships, CEP, and direct supervision of the Programme Officer (P4), SIDS Lighthouses in IRENA and the Director of the Department of Energy of Vanuatu, who is responsible for the provision of the office space, the Consultant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Support coordination for the implementation of activities defined under the cooperation framework between IRENA and Department of Energy, Vanuatu 
• Review and refine existing concept papers, draft ideas, and proposals with a lens to (a) determine feasibility of the action, (b) close gaps as it relates to context, justification and activity elaboration with a view to mobilising resources for project implementation.
• Provide guidance on the assessment and selection of potential project ideas, concept notes and proposals that can be fully developed for financing assistance.
• Refine the most viable concepts and proposals, with guidance from the Department of Energy, a minimum of 5 full project proposals for eventual submission to relevant project facilitation platforms including the Climate Investment Platform, the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing Platform, the Vanuatu National Green Energy Fund, and any other relevant climate/renewable/resilience financing schemes. The project proposal should include, but not be limited to:
• Project boundaries and geographic scope of implementation 
• Mapping of the enabling framework in Vanuatu including how the project contributes to wider national policies and legislative frameworks.
• Detailing of activities and work plan, illustrating the transformational impact of the project activities (including intervention logic and theory of change)
• Detailed logical framework for each proposal.
• Budgets for implementation including operation and maintenance where necessary.
• Financial models with details of opportunities for leveraging private investments, user and in-country contributions, revenue generation, etc.
• Proposal for institutional governance mechanisms for project/programme oversight and accountability, including primary and secondary stakeholder mapping, and delineation of roles and responsibilities.
• Identify private and public stakeholders at the national, regional, and international level that can partner for financing or implementation of projects.
• Assess and determine, including from interacting regimes, opportunities for grant and concessional financing for project implementation.
• Support and advise, in conjunction with relevant national stakeholders, the negotiation of financing for implementation of renewable energy projects in Vanuatu.
• Report, in compliance with schedules, on activity progress.

Qualification

Education: Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in social sciences, public policy, financing and/or business administration relating to the clean energy sector, climate finance, natural sciences or a related discipline. A first-level university degree with an additional 2 years’ experience will also be considered. 

Experience: Minimum of 5 years’ experience at a regional or international level in renewable energy, technical or policy related issues, with proven experience in the development of project pipelines and resource mobilisation of renewable energy projects in developing countries, in particular for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Experience in developing successful proposals and/or tender bids to institutional and private donors is required. A high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is required. 

Experience in independent research into climate finance, climate mitigation and adaptation strategies through renewables is desirable. Experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams across regions and geographies, including the Pacific Region, is desirable. 

Understanding of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) requirements and reporting at an international level is an asset. Experience in providing technical assistance to government institutions and capacity building experience including training and skills-development is also an asset.

Language: Excellent command of both written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages is an advantage.

                                                                                          ***

Qualified candidates must apply for the above-mentioned vacancy on-line, through IRENA’s recruitment platform, ORC by submitting a complete and comprehensive resume and a letter of interest, including details of two professional references who might be contacted if their application is shortlisted.

Applications from qualified women, especially from nationals of developing countries, are highly encouraged.

Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for an interview and will receive notice of the outcome of the selection process.