Project Manager (Energy Transition)

1. BACKGROUND

In July 2022, the Governments of Kosovo and Luxembourg signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to extend bilateral support, focusing on energy transition and climate change mitigation. This cooperation aligns with Kosovo's priorities for European integration and its dual transition in the energy and digital sectors.

The project KSV/024 – Energy transition and climate mitigation in Kosovo, aims to contribute to sustainable economic growth in Kosovo by supporting innovation, inclusiveness, and social development in a greener environment. The objective is to promote and facilitate the adoption of energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) sources in Kosovo's transition to clean energy.

The specific objectives include improving the implementation of renewable energies and energy efficiency measures, strengthening the regulatory framework, and enhancing access to financial mechanisms for small-scale RE and EE projects.

To achieve the set objectives, three distinct results have been formulated as follows:

·       result 1: the implementation of renewable energies and energy efficiency measures has been improved through increased support to the ministries and other relevant institutions involved;

·       result 2: the regulatory framework for renewable energies and energy efficiency is strengthened;

·       result 3: access to financial mechanisms for small-scale renewable energies and energy efficiency measures has improved.

The project is aligned with Kosovo's National Development Strategy, the Sofia Declaration's objective of carbon neutrality by 2050, and the Energy Strategy's vision of a sustainable energy sector. It addresses challenges related to inefficient energy use and low proportions of renewables in electricity generation.

The Government of Luxembourg has allocated a maximum budget of 5.5 million EUR for the project, which is expected to start in November 2023. A dedicated project team consisting of long-term and short-term management and technical experts, both international and national, will be stationed at the Ministry of Economy in Pristina to implement and manage the project.

2. OBJECTIVES

Under the direct supervision of the regional representative (RR), in close cooperation with the project’s team, the project manager (PM) will be responsible for the overall management and technical leadership of project KSV/024.

The PM represents LuxDev in the implementation structure of the project.

The PM is in charge, in relation with the national coordinator (NC), of the coordination, management, supervision and follow-up of all project activities. Overall, the PM plays a central role in the coordination and management of the project, ensuring its successful implementation and alignment with the project's objectives and external stakeholders.

In this view, she/he ensures that all processes defined by the Agency are implemented in accordance with the Agency’s Quality Manual.

The PM receives delegation of signature authority on the project bank account opened in the implementation country. The PM is the representative of the donor (first-level authority) for the execution of financial commitments of the Luxembourg Government’s contribution to this project.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

General tasks

·     lead the project team,

·     act as the official liaison between the project and the LuxDev Regional Office and Headquarters,

·     ensure the day-to-day logistical, administrative and financial management of the project, in accordance with policies and procedures of LuxDev,

·     co-ordinate and liaise with the MoE and the beneficiaries to ensure pro-active participation of beneficiaries and stakeholders and successful completion of all project results,

·     supervise the project staff and all national and international experts working for the project,

·     prepare the steering committee meetings.

Planning and Implementation

·     take the lead for the carrying out of the inception phase,

·     collaborate with and assist local counterparts in confirming project objectives and results regularly during the course of the project implementation,

·     at the beginning of every year, prepare a detailed Annual Work Plan (AWP) to support the project’s financial programming,

·     quarterly update the programming (using the Lux-Dev standard tool) and the project budget for approval by Lux-Dev,

·     notify Lux-Dev of any changes in the project orientation and/or local needs, and make proposals for modifications in the project content, on the basis of local counterpart consultation,

·     study, evaluate and approve the design of project activities and budgets,

·     plan the timing of all project activities and initiate activities accordingly, using the approved AWP and budget as guidance,

·     advise on activity implementation strategies and arrangements,

·     deliver inputs in the required quantity and quality to ensure the high quality and timely implementation of approved project activities.

Administrative tasks

·     prepare, together with the local counterparts, terms of reference and / or technical specifications related to the procurement and / or organisation of appropriate professional services, short-term consultancies, equipment, works and training activities according to Lux-Dev procedures,

·     organise the overall tendering procedures from the launch up to the elaboration of a fair evaluation and recommendation to be submitted to Lux-Dev (including overseeing compliance of local tender procedures with the Lux-Dev procedures, overseeing transparency of the tender procedures and controlling eligibility of tenderers and reliability of tender submissions), and prepare the related contract documents,

·     monitor the application of tender and contract procedures for the contracting of works, equipment and services;

·     assume direct responsibility for managing the physical project resources (vehicles equipment, furniture, stationary, etc.) through appropriate record-keeping and inventories;

·     carry out the recruitment, supervision and management of local staff;

·     participate in the recruitment of local consultants and international experts.

Financial tasks

·     verify and certify payment requests for services and supply, for the entire duration of the project;

·     manage local expenditure accounting and project financial systems;

·     ensure that financial operations are transparent and follow procedures and policies of Lux-Dev, and scrupulously ensure the respect of deadlines in the production of financial elements;

·     ensure that accounting records and supporting documents are maintained in an organised manner in respect with Lux-Development’s accounting system and external audit guidelines;

·     ensure the good management of the project’s bank account for expenses incurred in the field;

·     ensure that annual audit recommendations are followed-up;

·     prepare financial reports.

Project closure tasks

·     prepare a transfer plan for the project at least 6 months before the planned closure date according to Lux-Dev’s norms and including propositions for the transfer of goods, the timetable for project closure, as well as all means useful for the project’s take-over by the local authorities;

·     organise a project closure seminar with all the stakeholders;

·     carry out all the administrative and technical measures necessary for the closure of the interventions and prepare the closing documents;

·     prepare the final report in accordance with the Lux-Dev template.

4. PROFILE

·     bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field such as energy engineering, environmental science, sustainability, renewable energy, public policy, or a related discipline ;

·      at least ten years’ experience as team leader or project manager in development cooperation projects (especially in the Balkans);

·     familiarity with the energy sector (a deep understanding of renewable energies, energy efficiency measures, and the overall energy sector);

·     excellent spoken and written English skills;

·     ability to plan, design, organise and implement trainings;

·     excellent communication and facilitation skills.

How to apply:

Please apply via our website: https://careers.luxdev.lu/job-invite/1320/

Deadline: 20 August 2023

N.B. suspensive clause: this recruitment is launched before the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding of the Project. No contract can be concluded without the signature of this agreement.