Effectiveness of Financing Mechanisms: Metrics to assess the success rates of new or refined financing mechanisms.
Training Impact: Measurable improvements in the capabilities of government agencies and businesses post-training sessions.
Framework Adoption: Extent to which developed frameworks are adopted and effectively used by relevant agencies.
PRS Success: Level of stakeholder engagement and system functionality in the developed PRS.
Tool Improvement: Effectiveness of implemented project management tools and practices post-consultant assessment.
Communication Outreach: Impact and reach of contributed content in U4E's communication campaigns and webinars.
Home-based
Expected duration12 months
Duties and Responsibilities
An Energy Efficiency Finance and Market Monitoring Verification and Enforcement (MVE) Expert is needed to help develop and execute complex market transformation projects in collaboration with strategic partners, with a focus on the space cooling and cold chain domains. The Expert will perform a range of functions, with a mix of global, regional and national applications in U4E’s portfolio to optimize existing operations and unlock new project opportunities.
U4E requires an expert to support the development and implementation of market transformation projects consistent with its Integrated Policy Approach (https://united4efficiency.org/our-approach). Specific needs include technical support for developing and deploying:
I. Financial mechanisms for public procurement programmes, private sector applications, and for use by consumers to enable greater access to and uptake of energy-efficient and climate-friendly refrigeration and air conditioning solutions.
• Financial and Market Analysis and Mechanisms
o Orchestrate financial and market assessments for optimal incentives (i.e. considering potential subsidies and market-based approaches to catalyze uptake of targeted products, such as air conditioners with low-global warming potential refrigerants, including for Ghana and Nigeria and subsequently elsewhere as assigned).
o Provide in-depth technical support on the development of at least one new financing mechanism for refrigerators and air conditioners (i.e. for Nigeria), and in-depth technical advice to refine and expand one existing financing mechanism for refrigerators and air conditioners (i.e. for Ghana).
o Provide inputs on other priority finance and funding matters, such as appliance recycling programmes, cold chain business models developed, and/or otherwise as assigned (i.e for Rwanda).
o Assist participating government agencies and businesses through workshops and trainings (with a focus on the AGORA and Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) projects, and thereafter as assigned) by preparing technical content (i.e. referencing applicable laws, best practices such as Model Regulation Guidelines), identifying appropriate participants, conveying training content including use of tools (such as U4E’s SPP toolkit), and following-up on subsequent inquiries.
II. MVE protocols and tools administered by government agencies and for compliance by vendors, manufacturers and other pertinent stakeholders (i.e. banks if a finance-oriented activity):
• Frameworks
o Guide the development of at least one Market Surveillance Framework for use in Rwanda but adaptable more broadly thereafter to help ensure products comply with mandatory MEPS and labelling, including necessary protocols, roles and responsibilities, templates, etc.
o Guide the development of at least one Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) framework for use in Nigeria but adaptable more broadly thereafter for tracking financial, energy and climate impacts of U4E’s financial mechanisms.
o Deliver capacity-building on the framework for effective implementation, assist with incorporating refinements based on participant feedback; and offer remote follow-up technical assistance to address subsequent questions.
• Tools and Systems
o Guide the preparation of a functioning Product Registration System (PRS) for at least one market, including interviewing stakeholders to assess needed functions, drafting software specifications, and helping to oversee its development.
o Conduct capacity building to introduce the PRS, refine it based on participant feedback, and offer remote follow-up technical assistance to address subsequent questions.
III. Cross-cutting support to enhance existing U4E operations and catalyze new project opportunities:
• Project management systems and approaches
o Assess current project management tools and practices already in use and research potential alternatives for use with generating and maintaining work plans, budget tracking and planning, and reporting on U4E’s cooling and cold-chain project portfolio.
o Provide recommendations based on the findings from the assessment, then pursue assigned solutions per the Project Manager’s determinations.
• Communications and Outreach
o Provide content and feedback on financing and MVE matters for communications campaigns in U4E projects and beyond as part of U4E’s contributions to UNEP and other partner organizations’ outreach efforts.
o Help organize and deliver international experience-sharing sessions (webinars and similar) to convey lessons learned and inspire adaptation and use elsewhere, and to foster further U4E project opportunities at national and regional scales.
• Project proposals
o Lead the development of at least one project proposal or provide technical input to at least two proposals developed by others which focus on financing and MVE for sustainable cooling and/or cold-chain.
Minimum university degree (Bachelors) or equivalent in Engineering (electrical, mechanical, industrial, or similar), Electricity, Environmental Affairs, or a relevant scientific development discipline.
More than 10 years of experience and technical competencies, with expertise in cooling energy efficiency and refrigeration (including familiarity with natural refrigerants)
Developing and deploying financing mechanisms for the promotion of energy efficient appliances in developing and emerging economies.
Developing and deploying MVE frameworks and tools (including software).
Drafting and securing buy-in for policy recommendations on energy efficiency.
Thorough background preparing and delivering training and providing capacity building to diverse audiences.
Key Competencies
• Knowledge and experience in working with government and private sector internationally.
• Technical knowledge on Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, especially Room Air Conditioners, natural refrigerant gases and energy efficiency for cooling appliances.
• Knowledge of past and current financing mechanisms for energy efficient appliances, product testing standards and compliance projects and initiatives.
• Active involvement and thorough knowledge of international best practices in energy efficiency strategies and energy-efficient HVAC technologies, practices and programmes.
• Knowledge of various software development frameworks, processes, information exchange tools, and estimated timelines for development of web app functionalities.
• Ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied field sources in order to produce highly qualitative communication presentations.
• Excellent written and oral communications ability to effectively convey technical topics to non-experts.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and another UN Language (preferably Spanish or French).
Fluency in written and spoken English and another UN Language (preferably Spanish or French).
Additional Information
UNEP is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP is accelerating the transition to sustainable appliances and equipment through United for Efficiency (U4E). U4E is a global initiative launched in 2015 to help developing and emerging markets quickly and comprehensively transition to energy-efficient lighting, space conditioning (cooling), refrigeration (equipment and comprehensive cold chains), electric motors and transformers. U4E has a diverse and growing portfolio of activities (see http://united4efficiency.org).
By optimizing these technologies, which represent a large part of energy consumption worldwide, U4E’s interventions are key drivers toward greater resilience and economic development as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation. The initiative's multifaceted approach addresses policies, financing and incentives, market monitoring, verification and enforcement, communications and stakeholder engagement to encourage the rapid and comprehensive adoption of more sustainable solutions.
U4E is committed to supporting developing and emerging markets that lack adequate local resources to independently undertake such a transition. By working hand-in-hand with governments, industry stakeholders, and civil society partners, assistance is targeted to overcome critical barriers to market transformation, with numerous success stories from around the world.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.