National Consultant to Provide Technical Expertise to Coordinate the UNDP Energy Offer Project

Background

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Energy is one of UNDP’s six signature solutions – alongside poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, and gender equality - to support countries towards three directions of change: structural transformation, leaving no one behind and resilience. As per UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the first objective of UNDP is increasing energy access for those furthest behind. By speeding up investment in distributed renewable energy solutions, especially for those hardest to reach and in crisis contexts, it aims to increase access to clean and affordable energy for 500 million people. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to approximately 600 million people without access to clean, affordable energy, making the region a key focus of UNDP’s new Strategic Plan energy objective and scaled up energy offer, which seeks to provide access to clean and affordable energy to 500 million people by speeding up investment in distributed renewable energy solutions, especially for those hardest to reach strategic partnerships and targeted stakeholder engagement. RBA’s Africa Promise pledged to provide at least 100 million people with access to Energy by the end of the current Strategic Plan.

Under the UNDP’s Renewed Strategic Offer in Africa, or “Africa Promise”, The Zimbabwe Country office and the Ministry of Energy and Power Development are implementing the Africa Energy Offer to accelerate access to sustainable, affordable, and clean energy that will catalyse SDGs achievement in Zimbabwe. This intervention will catalyse strategic investment in the energy sector in Zimbabwe to improve access to electricity which currently stands at 41%, leaving an estimated 9,3 million persons without access to clean and affordable energy. This offer will be implemented under the UNDP Zimbabwe Poverty Reduction, Environment and Climate Change unit in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Power Development Department of Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy, The Rural Electrification Fund and the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF THE WORK

Coordinate strategic partnerships and institutional capacity on energy issues

Manage and coordinate the implementation of all project activities;
Support the recruitment and coordination of project consultants, service providers;
Supervise and provide guidance to consultants and experts;
Ensure effective project monitoring, evaluation, quality assurance and reporting;
Liaise with all partners in all matters related to project implementation;
Organize Project Board meetings, including the preparation of meeting documents and materials;
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with development partners, UN agencies, government counterparts at all levels, private sector and civil society. In particular, contribute to increase UN joint programming on renewable energy deployment;
Strengthen and help advise government on policy planning and strengthen technical capacity of government officials;
Support the government’s partnerships with national and international partners to further tailor and expand programming related the implementation of clean energy with a focus exploring feasible models for increased renewable energy deployment;
Network regionally and globally using UNDP’s system and others where opportunities lie to stimulate and strengthen partnership with the government.

Provide technical advice on policy energy issues and inputs to strategic documents and processes

Identify and analyze pertinent energy development, challenges and opportunities in Zimbabwe, with a focus on increasing coordination and alignment between government agencies;
Identify key issues for policy and planning dialogues pertaining to the energy sector and support the government in dialogues on energy with development partners, private sectors and civil society; and
Provide substantive inputs to the Government of Zimbabwe on policies and planning instruments to scale up renewable energy implementation.

Support planning, programming, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization

Support the government in the implementation of solar mini-grid pilot projects aimed at securing a feasible business model for scaling up mini-grids deployment in Zimbabwe;
Collaborate with government staff to integrate UNDP’s de-risking approach as an instrument to attract further investments in clean energy solutions;
Together with the UNDP Zimbabwe Country Office, explore the potential for private sector partnerships on energy and opportunities to link private financing (including SDG impact investments) with local entrepreneurs;
Maintain collaborative working relationships and coordinate with key project stakeholders in the renewable and clean energy space in the country and also across other countries in Africa;
Present at investor forums/meetings and events, including delivering talks and presentations; and
Identify and advise on opportunities to mobilize additional funding and resources to increase project impact.

Provide technical support for project activities implementation

Develop and deliver guidance, training and capacity building to partners to enhance program implementation;
Liaise and coordinate with the regional technical advisors/hub focal points on the portfolio implementation progress and advise of any deviations from the project plan;
Provide strategic guidance as well as technical and operational support to the Ministry of Energy and its departments/agencies to enhance program implementation;
Provide strategic guidance, technical inputs and quality assurance for the implementation of all project outputs and activities;
Provide technical inputs and advice for projects related to energy focusing on rural electrification;
Review workplans, budgets and progress reports and provide inputs to the preparation of results- based work plans;
Share knowledge on project related to energy issues by documenting lessons learnt and best practices from project piloting and contributing to the development of knowledge-based tools (including policies, strategies, guidelines, etc.); and
Support close and regular technical backstopping to the team within the Ministry of Energy and the Rural Electrification Fund and other implementing entities in coordinating and liaising with stakeholders – including other government agencies, development partners, civil society, and the private sector.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The key deliverables under this consultancy are: i. Inception report detailing the assignment methodology and work schedule guided by the project 2022 Annual Workplan. ii. Monthly reports detailing work undertaken and measurable achievements under each of the 4 key result areas stated above.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards,
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability,
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Judgement/Decision-making

Strong technical skills and analytical capacities, sound judgment;
Strong technical problem-solving skills;
Ability to understand and establish priorities and work by objectives.

Teamwork

Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relationships with people from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds;

Ability to work under stress and work overtime when required.

Excellent knowledge of the UN system and UN joint country programming processes (CCA/UNDAF),
Good knowledge and experience with the national development frameworks, especially Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) PRSP, SWAP, key legislation, etc.
Specialised technical knowledge, including in conducting external programme evaluations, data collection and analytical skills, mainstreaming the HRBA to programming and gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations, and transition contexts.
Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, teamwork and adept at working with people of diverse cultural and social backgrounds,
An understanding of and ability to abide by the core values of the United Nations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Energy, Engineering, Environment, Economics, Energy Finance or related field required.

Experience

At least 5 years of professional work experience providing policy advice and programme support in the general areas of energy access and renewable energy in different development contexts, preferably for off-grid electrification;
Proven experience with the design and/or implementation of development projects to promote energy investment is required;
Certification in Climate and Renewable Energy Finance is highly desirable;
Experience working in developing country settings is required;
Experience in Zimbabwe is an asset.
International experience working for UNDP or another international development organization in the energy field is an asset;
Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
Sound security awareness; and
Have strong interest in innovations in the energy sector to enable the broader SDGs, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Language

Excellent written and spoken English.