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INTERNATIONAL ENERGY EXPERT

Background

As part of the new programming cycle for 2012-2016, the Burundian government has just signed, in June 2013, an Agreement on the financing of a Preparatory Technical Assistance Project to strengthen the statutory, regulatory and institutional framework of the Energy and Mining sectors.
As regards the Energy sector, the background to this project is that one of the major challenges in the Second Poverty Reduction Strategic Paper (PRSP II) is the energy issue. The situation of the electricity sector in Burundi is characterized by a chronic deficit which constitute a major obstacle for growth and socio economic development. The country's large energy deficit, the low level of electricity generation and the unreliability of such generation (load-shedding, voltage fluctuations) and aging electricity plants causing extensive losses (estimated at 27%) are major obstacles to developing the industry and services. For example, while national production and imports amount to about 51 MW and deficits 10-25 MW (20-50% of the available electrical energy) according to the season, the energy needs for the mining sector are estimated at 300-800 MW in the next 10 years just for nickel and associated ore, which could bring strong growth from public receipts from the sale of this ore. Thus, although Burundi has considerable hydroelectricity potential, less than 4% of the population has access to electricity. Domestic energy comes from traditional energy sources (firewood, charcoal and agricultural residue) which account for over 95% of national energy consumption, followed by oil products at 2.5%, hydroelectric power at 0.6% and peat at 0.05%.
Renewable energy sources have the potential capacity to provide all the energy required but their actual use is as yet insufficient. The estimated potential of hydropower is 1700 MW while average sunshine in Burundi is close to 2000 kWh/m²/year, the same as in southern Europe. There are other potential resources, such as wind and geothermal energy, requiring assessment.
The Burundian government is aware that the country does not yet have the appropriate statutory, regulatory and institutional framework to enable it to promote private investment and public-private partnerships in the energy sector to accelerate growth in this sector using a win-win approach. 
UNDP Burundi is seeking an international Senior Specialist to support Burundi Government in capacity development and to conduct regulatory and institutional reforms in the energy sector in order to increase private investors in the sector over the medium term.
The Senior Specialist will work under the supervision of the Senior Economist with overall guidance from UNDP Country Director. S/he will work in close partnership with the National Director of the project and report on UNDP’s assistance, to the project board on a quarterly basis.
Under the supervision of the Head of UNDP Policy and Strategy unit, the International Energy Expert will provide substantive guidance for the effective delivery and management of project activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

The Technical Advisor will be responsible for providing high level guidance to the Ministry of Energy and Mining and the Energy Cluster on efforts to strengthen the national capacity focusing on institutional and individual capacity development. In particular the Technical Advisor will:
  • Be responsible for capacity development support for the overall results-based management of the project in the sector of Energy, in line with UNDP’s Results Management Guide;
  • Conduct resources mobilization efforts and partnership development;
  • Provide technical support to the Ministry of Energy and Mining and the Energy Cluster group;
  • Give General support to the Country Office on Energy Action.
Be responsible for the capacity development support for the overall results-based management of the project in the sector of Energy, in line with UNDP’s Results Management Guide:
  • Build capacity in planning, budgeting, managing and delivery of all project activities in energy sector and technical assistance to the Ministry of Energy and Mining and the Energy Cluster;
  • Oversee the work of UNDP project staff and the sub-contractors end ensure that strong partnership are established between project staff and their Government counterparts, contributing to national capacity development;
  • Monitoring risks and issues affecting the project implementation as well as recording lessons learned;
  • Facilitate support services from UNDP Country Office;
  • Contribute in reporting to the project board on a quarterly basis.
Conduct resources mobilization efforts and partnership development:
  • Manage relationships and agreements with cost-sharing partners and organize resource mobilization efforts for the project;
  • Prepare project proposals in energy sector, including strategies to build partnerships and mobilize resources;
  • Report in a timely manner to the UNDP, Government and cost-sharing donors on the status of resource mobilized and assist the project in reporting on progress and achievements, against agreed Results, Outputs and Outcome indicators;
  • Provide support to  the Ministry of Energy and Mining in mobilizing resources for the sector as a whole by creating opportunities to meet donors, report and achievements and raise awareness on the needs for implementing national objectives of the sector.
Provide technical support to the Ministry of Energy and Mining and the Energy Cluster Group:
  • Provide support to the Ministry of Energy and Mining and the Energy Cluster to promote sound reforms with the aim to increase private investors in the Energy sector. Focus will be put on the establishment of policies, plans, frameworks and mechanisms to improve investments and effective management of the energy sector ;
  • Analyzing and assessing the statutory and regulatory framework in place and the various texts applicable to the electrical energy sector;
  • Proposing new texts of a statutory and regulatory nature to update the existing provisions;
  • Working in close collaboration and synergy with other experts working on similar issues (particularly those of the World Bank);
  • Drafting and adoption of templates for Concession Contracts and Power Purchase Contracts for the hydropower, solar, wind and geothermal subsectors;
  • Provide support in strengthening the capabilities of the Ministry of Energy and Mines to negotiate contracts in the above-mentioned subsectors;
  • Carrying out a needs assessment in terms of training and strengthening the capabilities of the Ministry of Energy and Mines in the area of electrical energy;
  • Drawing up and executing a training plan for the priority needs identified and to be covered over a one-year period;
  • Drawing up a project document to support the implementation of the national strategy on new and renewable energy to be adopted in 2013;
  • Coordinating closely with the Energy and Environment Practice to ensure coherence between UNDP policy messages, practice and project interventions;
  • Take responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiate corrective actions where necessary;
  • Ensure that the project is up to date on evolving policies and practices;
  • Provide support to the energy cluster group and help the Ministry to efficiently prepare and lead the meetings:
  • Provide support  in coordination of donor financial and technical support to the Energy Action sector;
  • Preparing reports and carrying out any priority action defined as part of the implementation of this project at the request of the National Project Director.
 Give General support to the Country Office and UNCT on Energy Action:
  • Participate as appropriate in UNDP knowledge network;
  • Provide substantive input and guidance to the UNCT on issues related to Energy;
  • Coordinate and build partnerships with UNCT members, for the enhancement of technical strength and programmatic synergies in the area of Energy.
Through the achievements of the above mentioned results, the project is expected to further consolidate national capacity to contribute to the achievement of the national energy objectives by supporting efficient and transparent national management of the sector, and appropriate resource mobilization. The project should also strengthen the positioning of UNDP as a key partner in Energy Action sector. Some of the impact of the projects will be the following:
  • New texts of a statutory or regulatory nature analyzed and adopted by the Energy Sectoral Group as part of the updating and promotion of investments in the electrical energy sector;
  • Templates of Concession Contracts and Power Purchase Contracts for the hydropower, solar, wind and geothermal subsectors adopted by the Energy Sectoral Group;
  • A training plan drafted and executed for priority needs identified to be covered over a one-year period (at least 3 training workshops organized at national level on three priority topics);
  • A project document adopted by the Energy Sectoral Group to support the implementation of national strategy regarding new and renewable energy. 

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
  • Solid capacity for analysis and synthesis of situations and empowered to find solutions;
  • Ability to work under stress of deadlines and results showing initiative, dynamism and pro activity;
  • Aptitude and interest in working together in a multicultural; environment;
  • Strong written and oral expression and actual abilities to formulate clear and concise ideas; capabilities;
  • Ability to communicate effectively with the different partners and donors involved;
  • Openness and willingness to adaptability and flexibility in relations with its staff;
  • Pedagogy and wish to register in a framework of knowledge transfer.
Functional Competencies:
 
Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example ;
  • In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues ;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
  • Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.
Development/Strengthening capabilities/Coaching:
  • Ability to work as part of a team, to fulfill his/her responsibility to make a contribution to reaching team goals;
  • Help his/her partners to identify their strengths and weaknesses and to identify training and development needs;
  • Ability to take calculated risks to develop new methods and approaches to achieve more effectiveness and performance, and to resolve problems relating to a specific context;
  • Practical and in-depth knowledge of interdisciplinary development issues.
Communication and sharing of information and ideas:
  • Have excellent capacity to draft and for oral and written communication, reflected specifically in the drafting of quality reports within deadlines set;
  • Listening and information-sharing skills in workshops or group discussions;
  • Ability to demonstrate tact and sensitivity when sharing sensitive information and to resolve sensitive issues.
Management and Leadership:
  • Focuses on impact and results for the client;
  • Takes initiative and follows up regularly to drive successful implementation;
  • Motivates and manages teams effectively and encourages staff to work collaboratively; 
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.
Building strategic partnerships: 
  • Identify and prioritise opportunities and obstacles in the national context (government, civil society, parliament, pressure groups) to contribute to building effective partnerships in order to advance the common goals pursued;
  • Ability to forge partnerships with various development partners and to mobilize resources.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 
  • A Master Degree in Energy field with a specialization such as Energy economist or jurist, or a Master's degree in Economics or law with specialization such as Energy management and planning. 
Experience: 
  • At least 7 years of working experience in the management of development projects of similar size and scope with specific experience in providing policy and strategic advice, organizing capacity development of a national authority;
  • At least 5 years of experience in the Energy sector. Experience in the usage of computers is required.
Language:
  • Excellent oral and written skills in French, and fluency in English are essential.

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