TOR:
DHE National Energy Expert(s)
Terms of Reference
Mission Location: Niger
Line Manager: NORCAP DHE Roving Energy Expert
Management responsibility: Experts deployed under the DHE Programme
Travel: 50-70%, the national expert will travel across different locations within the country, including remote and conflict-affected areas.
Mission Duration: 12 months
Mission Start Date: 1st October 2023
Grade: Following NRC/NORCAP Grade and pay assessment.
Specific Conditions: Niger Nationals and be willing to travel across different locations in the country, including to remote and conflict-affected areas.
The Decarbonising Humanitarian Energy (DHE) Project:
The recently launched DHE project aims to reduce the costs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with delivering critical humanitarian assistance in five countries in the Sahel Region. This funding forms the initial investment in the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF). It will provide multi-year support for scaling up Sustainable Energy solutions for organisations serving displaced people and host communities. The DHE MPTF will be implemented by the GPA Coordination Unit at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), NORCAP - part of the Norwegian Refugee Council, and UNDP.
The project will design, demonstrate, and facilitate a Centralised Clean Energy Service to (a) reduce energy consumption and costs for individual client organisations, (b) simplify the involvement of the private sector to increase its investment capacity, and (c) coordinate the grouping of multiple projects together (\"bundling\") to achieve economies of scale and unlock innovative financing mechanisms. To achieve this, in partnership with leading organisations the project will mobilise and combine existing services and tools into a single facility to coordinate and scale up energy cost reduction measures across a range of clients, geographies and focus areas to transition towards energy efficiency and sustainable energy measures.
Background
NORCAP is a part of the Norwegian Refugee Council and was founded in 1991. Since then we have provided expertise to approximately 10,000 missions
We work to solve challenges in the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors to better protect vulnerable people’s lives and rights. We build partnerships, promote more effective ways of working and provide skilled experts to develop capacity.
We work with and through our partners to address challenges via three core activities:
We develop partnerships with regional and global organisations and national stakeholders. We believe working together in a coordinated and sustainable manner is the best way to reduce needs, risks, and vulnerability over time.
We seek and promote more effective ways of working at the global level and in the field. Our aim is not only to reduce needs, but also to create choice and opportunity for vulnerable people.
We deploy skilled experts to develop our partner’s capacity. Given their independence from agendas and interests of the organisations they are deployed to, our experts are well placed to identify and address challenges, improve collaboration, and encourage new and innovative approaches.
All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity, and accountability. These attitudes and believes shall guide our actions and relationships.
Regional overview:
The Sahel region holds some of the world's most neglected crises and comprises countries with high-risk exposure. 21 million people need humanitarian assistance, and action is required to address food insecurity, protection issues, and climate change mitigation1. The Sahel countries have, on average, electricity access rates at 26 percent, far behind the 45 per cent rate in sub-Saharan Africa and the global rate of 89 percent2. This percentage varies from one location to another and considering that humanitarian settlements are the least to have sufficient access to electricity, this leads to humanitarian agencies having to rely on diesel generators to power their operations to deliver the basic needs for displaced communities, orienting the financing resources to purchase diesel and maintain generators and not direct it to what is needed.
Humanitarian agencies still largely depend on diesel generators. While diesel generators are a tested and reliable solution, they come at a high price for both the operations and the environment. Since 2018, NORCAP experts have worked with organisations to help them transition from diesel generators to sustainable energy solutions, such as solar enery. Due to the considerable reduction in the cost of solutions like solar energy, combined with innovative finance models offered by the private sector, a transition to clean energy can unlock funds that humanitarian organisations can use for other needs. Through the DHE project, NORCAP, GPA and UNDP have partnered to bundle resources and develop green operations that remain sustainable, reliable and cause less environmental harm.
To support with the project activities within the country, NORCAP intends to recruit National energy Experts in each country targeted by the project.
ORGANISATION OPERATIONAL CONTEXT – TBD
SCOPE OF WORK
The National Expert(s) will be contracted as consultants by NORCAP and will work under the UNDP Seven steps Process to build clean energy operations in selected countries.
1. The project aims to support transitioning operations from diesel generators to solar energy for partner agencies, which can be (UN Agencies, INGOs, local organisations, and national government).
2. The primary technical expertise is to be provided by the expert. This includes, but is not limited to, providing consultation regarding technical aspects of solar energy, energy auditing tools, the modality of conducting assessments, technical inputs to develop specific solutions, review reports and providing information, review of tendering/logistical processes for the energy-related project and private sector engagement.
3. Supervise the implementation of the systems, following the agreed technical criteria. Support training to Client staff on solar systems.
• Represent the project and partners when requested in formal events and meetings when required in the context.
• Coordinate and liaise with partner agencies and humanitarian agencies to increase advocacy and Decarbonising efforts.
The candidate will assist the team in all technical, financial, and administrative aspects of the assigned projects and field work. In addition to compliance with the educational and professional background in electrical/energy engineering, the candidate should also have a working knowledge of mechanical and cold chain systems (Air Conditioners, Generators).
SCOPE OF WORK
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Regional Roving Expert, carry out the following tasks:
Identify new and improved electrical energy solutions:
Based on the assessments and consultation above, review the locally and globally available clean electricity solutions to address the needs.
Support and validate the development, design and modelling of hybrid renewable energy simulations, cross reference high-level sizing and costing for the recommended solutions using HOMER Pro software, including business case development and indicative CAPEX pricing for the recommended solutions,
Support and validate cost-benefit analyses based on the collected data and assessments and recommend the most practical and effective electrical energy solutions and energy efficiency upgrades.
Design and lead the process of implementing new electrical energy solutions:
Provide support to DHE UNDP team to review call for proposals, terms of reference, and similar bidding documents for companies/entities that will install the systems.
Review and validate specifications, call for proposals, terms of reference, and similar bidding documents for companies/entities that will install the systems.
Ensure that new electrical systems are accompanied by easy guidance and have a low-maintenance monitoring and evaluation system to collect relevant data for analysis.
Ensure that the recommended solutions meet minimum best practices concerning health, safety, social and environmental standards.
Reporting and General responsibilities:
Ensure that all documents relating to identifying needs, analysing options and models, and deciding on best solutions are in line with the context, national regulations and partners' internal guidelines and recorded for future replication.
Provide training to host agency and partner staff, where needed, on how to make cost-efficient decisions and enable the staff to move forward with the implementation of clean energy solutions.
Stay informed of all governmental/national regulations in relation to energy systems to ensure energy activities are legal and sustainable through active contacts with Governmental counterparts and local authorities.
Liase with Humanitarian agencies and clusters as part of advocacy efforts.
Present the programme in events, meetings, and formal occasions as requested.
Perform other duties as required.
Support to NORCAP:
NORCAP Experts are expected to support NORCAP in specific tasks, with up to 10% of the total workload while deployed, which shall be identified at the beginning of your mission.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Main duties and responsibilities
Workstream I: In close collaboration with the DHE Roving Energy Expert, and the DHE team at large support in planning and implementation of the infrastructure decarbonisation efforts within selected countries.
Support the Roving expert in mapping of the energy landscape in the selected country, including issues of coverage, adequacy & sustainability and highlighting the needs and opportunities for supplying access to clean, affordable and sustainable energy for humanitarian organisations’ infrastructure as well as the beneficiaries and surrounding communities.
Conduct assessments of all existing energy systems for the Client or identified partner operational infrastructure and facilities, including offices, compounds, warehouses, fleet department, logistics system, etc.
Carry out smart energy meters installation within the facilities and provide training on the operation of smart meters to local technicians or partner focal points.
Conduct detailed energy efficiency audits especially for lighting and air conditioners and make appropriate recommendations for each site/facility.
Prepare scope-of-work documents and draft technical documents for the implementation of any needed upgrade works, including single line diagrams where there are none.
Support in the analysis of results for partner offices' energy consumption and draft recommendations on the implementation of energy management and efficiency strategies to improve energy consumption and energy efficiency in line with partner's global and country-wide energy strategy.
Support the identification, assessment and evaluation of available solar energy resources and locations to install them.
Prepare evidenced-based recommendations for the facility managers on measures to improve the safety, and efficiency of the infrastructure.
Provide advice and recommendations on end-user energy access through identification and utilisation of national and local government synergies and partner organisations' strategic direction with a focus on market-based approaches.
Undertake extensive missions in the field, to complete project-specific assigned tasks, undertake surveys and/or monitoring & evaluation activities.
Undertake review of local policy on renewable energy, market research and regulation, feasibility studies, provide expert inputs in designing clean energy solution (preparing, writing, and assembling drawings, schematics, design calculations and reports, technical specifications) and on-ground works supervision. This will require detailed knowledge of the international standards and codes and liaison with stakeholders, both internal and external to the organization.
Train users on the proper use of power supply systems, clean energy maintenance procedures and best practices, safety procedures, etc.
Develop project reports, cost analysis, budgets, or preliminary and detailed costs estimations to implement electrical systems renovation or upgrade.
Ensure that all activities, proposed solutions, and documentation relating to DHE is in line with the national context, regulations, and partners internal guidelines and recorded for future replication.
Design and lead the process to implement new electrical energy solutions
Support the development of call for proposals, terms of reference (ToR) documents, and similar bidding documents for companies/entities that will install the new energy systems.
Ensure that new electrical systems are accompanied by easy guidance and have a low-maintenance monitoring and evaluation system to collect relevant data for analysis.
Ensure that the recommended solutions meet minimum best practices concerning health, safety, social and environmental standards.
Support the development of realistic action plans and strategies integrating clean energy into organization’s existing structures and future programs.
Perform other duties as required.
Workstream II: Develop decarbonisation and electrification projects for end-user energy access projects that involve private sector engagement, local governments, and innovative financing mechanisms.
Based on the pilot project learnings and fields experience, support the DHE roving expert in identifying potential of implementing energy access for end-user projects where private sector engagement and use of innovative financing mechanisms are most suitable.
Support in identifying private sector partners and government and financial institutions in the field relevant to the DHE program.
Support in developing and drafting of standardized templates on energy access for refugees, internationally displaced and host communities.
Support in developing reporting/documentation detailing; country case studies, and assessments conducted, including data collection and analysis, project implementation, lessons learned and opportunity development decarbonization.
General responsibilities and tasks:
Attend relevant events and meetings related to these topics.
Under the supervision of the Roving expert, liaise with humanitarian agencies and The Cluster System to engage and advocate for DHE activities.
Enable better collaboration between relevant agencies and implementing partners.
Regularly report to DHE roving expert based on Monitoring and Evaluation plan and methodology.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Academic qualifications: University degree in electrical engineering, engineering, sustainable development studies, energy technology or relevant fields.
Experience:
A minimum of five (5) years relevant professional experience in a private sector EPC and/or energy supply or auditor/consulting firm; investment firm or social enterprise with energy/infrastructure focus; or UN/humanitarian/development agency working directly on operationalising renewable energy transitions.
Familiarity with and professional experience related to energy and infrastructure topics or renewable energy systems design, implementation, and monitoring.
Knowledge of electrical Installation standards such as IEC, NFC 15-100 standards etc.
Knowledge of electrical designs plans and block diagrams.
Knowledge of different energy and private sector-related regulatory and/or policy frameworks and ability to link to other related sectors in the target country.
Proven experience conducting energy audits and renewable energy systems sizing. Having performed: Single Line Diagram identification, safe use and data processing from energy loggers, measure and identify loads, identify, and assess energy efficiency measures, hybrid renewable energy system operation and maintenance.
Have a good understanding of energy standards and audits.
Master software tools like office package, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and drone piloting. Experience working in humanitarian or global development settings and/or for the UN or other humanitarian/development agencies preferred.
Good knowledge of the energy sector in the selected country and the stakes/ challenges in the integration of renewable energy in buildings and the management of tenders in the energy sector
Experience in team management and knowledge of project management tools skills are a plus.
Essential requirements
Demonstrated experience in the design and application of electrical energy solutions, especially renewable solutions.
Experience in the planning, design, budgeting and management of electrical energy systems and energy standards and audits.
Demonstrated experience in data collection, research, and analysis skills
Have a good understanding of testing equipment and the process of testing, inspection, verification and commissioning.
Extensive knowledge of financial, regulatory and/or policy frameworks, renewable energy financial management.
Familiarity with renewable energy business development is an asset.
Ability to meet reporting deadlines, manage budgets and complete quarterly and yearly reporting.
Context related skills, knowledge, and experience:
Experience of working in complex and volatile contexts desirable
Experience of working with people in complex environments
Language: Fluency in French and English is essential, knowledge of local languages in Niger is an advantage.
Values
Inclusion & respect for diversity - Encourages the inclusion of all relevant stakeholders and demonstrates the ability to work constructively with people with different backgrounds and orientations.
Integrity & transparency – Delivers on commitments; manages the organization’s resources reliably and sustainably.