UNDP Recruitment : Energy Planning Specialist

UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners CONSULTANT: ENERGY PLANNING SPECIALIST FOR PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS Location :     ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, NIGERIA Application Deadline :    11-Nov-10 Additional Category    Environment and Energy Type of Contract :    SSA Post Level :    International Consultant Languages Required :     English   French  Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)    22-Nov-2010 Duration of Initial Contract :    One year Refer a Friend  Apply Now Background The Economic Commission for West African States (ECOWAS), through its White Paper policy on Access to Energy Services (ASE), aims to expand access to energy services to rural and peri urban areas with a view to contributing to poverty reduction and accelerating the attainment of MDGs. The objectives of this regional policy include the following:     * 100 % of the population have access to modern cooking fuels ;     * 60 % of rural populations have access to motive  power services;     * 100 % of urban and peri urban populations and 36 % of rural populations have access to electricity, whereas 60 % the rural population benefit from basic modern services (drinking water, health, education, communication, lighting). This regional policy is geared toward providing each member state with a framework for establishing national policies and developing programmes for access to energy services as well as  mobilizing necessary resources for its implementation. To achieve these ambitious objectives, four areas of intervention were identified based on  following  recommendations made by countries,  namely:     * Facilitation  of a national vision pertaining to access to energy services and the establishment of institutional frameworks  to  mainstream  access considerations in national policies and strategies for poverty reduction and sustainable human development ;     * development of integrated energy programmes, based on national energy context, and  aimed at poverty reduction in rural and  peri urban areas,     * establishment of an   Energy Access  unit at the level of ECOWAS Secretariat ;     * and the creation, in the long run, of Centre for Access to Energy Services. ECOWAS, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), elaborated an approach which resulted in activities and tools that are now available for use. Further, a series of actions were undertaken leading to the emergence of national programmes for access to energy services in a number of countries in the region. Owing to sponsorship by its technical partner (UNDP), ECOWAS benefited from support from the European Commission for the development of investment programmes in many member states in the Region. In line with recommended actions and with the view  to ensuring sustainability and development of organizational capacities ECOWAS has taken steps to establish the Energy Access within the ECOWAS  Division of Energy and Infrastructure The Unit will comprise three specialists working as a team under the supervision of the Director of Energy. The latter can delegate some of attributions to one of the three experts who will then assume the role of Chief of Unit. It is therefore envisaged to recruit an Energy Planning Specialist who will work within the ECOWAS Direction of Energy in view of contributing to the Development of Access to Energy Services, this with UNDP support Duties and Responsibilities Based on the UNDP/PREP experiences, the Energy Planning Specialist will have the responsibility of supporting the elaboration and implementation of national programmes and projects on access to energy services as well as playing an active role in resources mobilization efforts. Under the administrative authority of ECOWAS , and in close collaboration with UNDP Regional Energy Programme for Poverty Reduction (PREP), the Energy Planning Specialist will participate in the implementation of the Steering Committee decisions on development and monitoring of programmes on access to energy services at the national level, specifically on energy planning.     * Support the collection of information and data analysis in relation to needs assessment regarding access to energy services;     * Contribute to the development and formalization of 1)UNDP/PREP methodological approach for the formulation of programmes for access to energy services and 2) resources mobilization ;     * In coordination with the PREP and the other members of the ECOWAS Access to Energy Services Unit, contribute to the formulation of programmes and projects for access to energy services;     * In coordination with the PREP and other members of the ECOWAS Access to Energy Services Unit, contribute to the formulation of action plans for implementation  of programmes and projects on access to energy services;     * In coordination with the PREP and the other members of the ECOWAS Access to Energy Services Unit, contribute to ensuring training of members of national multisectoral groups on the methodological approach for access to energy services ;     * Support the formulation by Member States, of programmes and projects for access to energy services in the following priority areas : education, health, agriculture, water and productive uses ;     * Monitor the formulation of national terms of reference for the elaboration  of programmes and projects on access to energy services;     * Through the ECOWAS Commission and with support from UNDP/PREP, support Member States in their resources mobilization strategy. Competencies     * Expertise in the field of energy, specifically in the area of access to energy services ;     * Proven expertise of planning and investment programmes. Knowledge of national economic and financial models is an asset ;     * Sound knowledge of project and programme management in the energy sector ;     * Proven  experience and knowledge of regional and national actors and institutions in the energy and other priority sectors ;     * Strong knowledge of funding mechanisms for programmes on access to energy services;     * Good knowledge of information systems on access to energy services ;     * Fluency in one of the languages of the Community (ECOWAS) and knowledge of one of the languages spoken in the Community;     * Languages : English and French. Required Skills and Experience     * Advanced University degree (Master, Doctoral degree)  in the field of economy, energy, project management, energy planning or engineer in electrical,electrotechnics, electromechanic or in a related discipline;     * At least 7 years of experience in the Energy sector of which 3 were spent in assuming similar responsibilities/tasks. UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. Apply Online Here