Program Overview:
The global energy transition marks a pivotal moment in addressing climate change and ensuring a more resilient energy future. Africa's role in this transition is unique. Although the continent is endowed with significant energy resources, many countries face numerous energy challenges. Approximately 600 million people live without access to power. The transition will likely have profound implications for hydrocarbon export-dependent economies, necessitating careful management of the economic impacts. Mitigating the social impacts of the transition, such as job displacement and community disruptions, while ensuring the equitable distribution of benefits, will be critical. Overall, discussions around energy transition in Africa require careful navigation through multifaceted challenges, with tailored and context-specific solutions.
WRI seeks to advance a holistic approach that considers the interplay of these various challenges to promote sustainable energy solutions across Africa. To support this effort, the WRI Africa is looking to recruit a consultant to work closely with the Energy program team in developing the program’s work on Clean Energy Transition in Africa and support the successful conclusion of ongoing activities under the African Energy Dialogues. This platform, under the Clean Energy Transition pillar, is set up to promote inclusive dialogue on energy transitions in Africa.
Scope of Work:
Africa's energy transition requires a holistic approach that considers the interplay of various challenges and adopts tailored solutions to address them effectively. It is imperative that debates and discussions are informed by the best available research, data, and evidence, and that they prioritize African voices. Within this context, the Clean Energy Transition program at WRI Africa has adopted two interlinked strategies: First, we use systems modeling and other analytical tools to explore the spectrum of viable transition pathways available to African countries. We synthesis data to articulate informed perspectives on just transition pathways, produce insights on sectoral electrification and decarbonization opportunities. Second, in partnership with several African organizations, WRI has launched the African Energy Dialogues (AED), a platform to promote evidence-based and inclusive dialogue around energy transition. The AED aims to integrate varied perspectives from stakeholders across the continent to collaboratively accelerate the design of appropriate transition plans, strengthen countries’ ability to influence the global debate, and promote positions that maximize benefits for the African people. The AED is convened by the World Resources Institute (WRI) in partnership with the African Energy Commission (AFREC), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
WRI intends to award a consultant a seven-month reimbursable contract to work with the WRI Energy Team members to work closely with the team to achieve two objectives: support the successful execution of ongoing activities under the AED, and assist in developing an integrated strategic plan to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the work under the Clean Energy Transition pillar in Africa.
Task 1: Support the successful execution of activities under the AED:
Launched at COP28, one of the first actions taken by the AED Steering Committee was to establish the structure for three working groups to steer and guide the platform's work in three key areas: Investment and Finance (I&FWG), Enabling Policies and Regulations (EPRWG), and Technologies and Infrastructure (T&IWG). These working groups will articulate the platform's priorities and lead in identifying action points and policy proposals. Between July and December, the working groups will undertake various activities. The consultant will support the team by overseeing the activities of these three working groups. Responsibilities will include:
Task 2: Support the development of the strategic plan for the Clean Energy Transition work in Africa.
As noted above, the Clean Energy Transition work within WRI Africa currently involves conducting country-level research and analysis using energy systems modeling and other data analytical tools to articulate the spectrum of viable transition pathways available to countries and the AED platform. We are looking to strengthen and advance our strategic approach for a more integrated connection between these two streams of work. In this regard, the second set of deliverables focuses on activities aimed at developing a strategic plan for managing the growth and agility of the Clean Energy Transition work. This may include articulating the work’s added value, identifying areas for expansion, and outlining a phased work plan with milestones and timelines.
Activities will include:
Consultant Qualifications:
Evaluation and Selection:
The following elements will be the primary considerations in evaluating all applications submitted in response to this posting:
The consultant offering the best overall value will be selected. For this