ECOWAS Jobs: Expert in Energy Access and Renewable Energy

Whereas it has been proved that access to modern energy services is highly necessary for the Millennium Development Goals(MDG) to be achieved.  Energy access has made little progress as well as the energy sector at large in the ECOWAS region. This has had real consequences on economic development as well as poverty eradication. Both the analysis of the challenges facing the region and that of its potential resources make it clear that a common action should be undertaken and an efficient and creative regional cooperation developed in order to successfully increase access to energy services in ECOWAS Member States in a significant way.

Department: Infrastructure
Directorate: Energy
Grade:
Salary: USD 120,000 per annum
Supervisor: Director of Energy
Reference: ECW-COMM/REC/INFRA-C/001/2011
Duration: Two (2) years
Closing date: 28-02-2011

To this effect, the Heads of State and Government adopted Decision A/DEC.24/01/06 in January 2006 relative to the joint ECOWAS-UEMOA Regional Policy for increasing access to energy services by rural and sub-urban populations, fully compatible with the commitments made by NEPAD. This Policy named as the White Paper geared towards increasing access to energy services for rural and peri-urban population in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, sets out a number of objectives :

• To ensure that 100% of the total populations have access to improved cooking fuels;
• At least 60% of the rural population have access to transport to boost productivity of economic activities and access to modern community services;
• 66% of the population have access to electricity supply.

To achieve these ambitious objectives, four intervention axis including formulation of investment programmes have been identified. And, it calls for each member state having a programme on access to energy services and mobilizes the necessary resources for implementation with a view to achieving the MDGs in line with the White Paper.

To implement the regional policy, important recommendations have been made to the Member States; they include mainly the following:

• promotion of a national vision regarding access to energy services and putting in place institutional frameworks that will help integrate such policy into national policies and strategies fostering sustainable human development  and poverty reduction;
• development of energy programmes based on national policy context focused on reducing poverty in the rural and peri urban areas;
• establishment of an access to energy services unit;
• and in the long term, putting in place a Centre for access to energy services.

In addition, ECOWAS with the support of UNDP has elaborated a five step approach for which access to energy service activities and tools could be made available. Moreover, a series of actions that have allowed the elaboration of national action program on Access to Energy Services are emerging in several countries of the region.

Finally, ECOWAS through the technical assistance of UNDP has received the support of the European Union(EU) to develop investment programmes in several ECOWAS member states. With a view to ensure sustainability and strengthen organizational capacities, ECOWAS intends to create an Access to Energy Services Unit within the Directorate of Energy. The Access Unit shall support member states in elaborating a programme on access to energy services, strengthening capacities, and mobilization of financial resources.

The Unit will consist of three consultants directly working under the supervision of the Director of the Energy Directorate. The Director may delegate some of his responsibilities to one of the consultants, who will then serve as the Chief of the Unit. This Team leader will be responsible for coordinating overall outputs of the other consultants. Two of these consultants will be recruited by UNDP (financed by the UNDP Energy and Poverty Eradication team based in Dakar under the Regional Programme for Energy and Poverty  -PREP- funding )and the third one by ECOWAS from the Pool Fund.

It is in this context that the ECOWAS Commission has the intention of recruiting one consultant who will be working under the supervision of the Energy Directorate with a view to contributing efficiently to the development of the access to energy services with the support of UNDP

Objective

The broad objective of the Consultant is to assess the status of the implementation of the White paper, define and implement an action plan for achieving the goals set in the Energy policy, and contribute in the coordination of activities of the Directorate of Energy in Energy Access scaling-up, develop short, medium and long-term work programs and action plans, monitor the implementation of the community Energy Access program and propose necessary adjustment.

Specific objectives

To assist ECOWAS in the implementation of the White Paper geared towards increasing access to energy services for rural and peri-urban population in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Duties and responsibilities

Responsibilities

The consultant will report directly to the Director of Energy, he/she will be responsible for the elaboration of national programmes on access to energy services, capacity building and finance mobilization in view of the implementation of the White paper. He/She will initiate the activities for increasing the access to energy services in the region.

Specifically, the consultant will;

• Analyze the Development of regional energy service lines to support Member States in the definition and formulation of a national harmonized Energy Access strategy and policy;
• Elaborate and apply an action plan for the implementation of the Regional White Paper for increasing access to Energy Services;
• Supervise the implementation of the Regional White Paper for increasing access to Energy Services;
• Coordinate the implementation of a Regional Energy Information System and the establishment of a Regional Energy Observatory;
• Ensure and support ECOWAS advocacy on Energy Access and the fight against poverty;
• Strengthen the regional institutional and coordination framework dedicated to the White Paper, as well as other programs to be developed;
• Contribute to the regional/national coordination among ECOWAS Energy Program;
• Promote program development for scaling-up productive uses of energy, access to modern domestic cooking fuels, rural electrification (including renewable energy) and Energy Efficiency;
• Ensure smooth coordination with ECOWAS partners and support partnership development;
• Provide leadership to expand Regional Energy Policy in line with Member States requests in Energy Access, Renewable Energy (in collaboration with the Centre for Renewable Energy in Praia) and Energy Efficiency sub-sectors, and oversight functions for the conduct of studies relating to pertinent issues in the ECOWAS Energy program;
• Assist in the coordination of activities of the Department of Energy in Energy Access scaling-up, develop short, medium and long-term work programs and action plans, monitor the implementation of the community Energy Access program and propose necessary adjustment;
• Assist in the settling in of new staff to the Department and ensure that they are familiar with the various activities of the consultancy, and able to continue the work, before the end of the projects term;
• Take account of experience with other similar units and the lessons learnt.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination with the ECOWAS Centre for the Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Praia to ensure that developments in renewable energy are reflected in the energy access programme;
• Ensure effective communication with the Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU) in view of getting Energy Access project in the pipeline of PPDU projects;
• Assist in the compiling Energy Access documents in the ECOWAS central data/information management, archiving system;
• Perform any other related tasks that may be assigned by the Director, Department of Energy.

Expected Results, time schedule and duration

At the end of the tenure of the consultant, it is expected that all the Member States would have adopted their national harmonized Energy Access strategy and policy, National Multisectoriel Groups will start implementing energy access projects, funds will be raised for energy access projects. To monitor the progress of his assignment, the consultant will be expected to:

• Prepare an inception report in which He/She will make the assessment of the status of implementation of the White paper, analyze the regional energy access issues and propose an action plan for his mandate. In this inception report, the Consultant will suggest more detailed activities and output that will contribute to the objectives/responsibilities described above, including specific and monitorable milestones for each of the Consultant’s tasks;
• Prepare quarterly reports on the progress made in implementing the White paper, highlighting areas where ECOWAS needs to follow up with Member States to ensure progress;
• Prepare an annual report;
• Prepare periodic meetings with experts from Members States and other partners like UNDP;
• Prepare a Capacity Building Action for the National Multisectoral Groups and monitor its implementation.

The ultimate objective will lead to the following:

• Capacity building in Energy Access strategy and policy;
• Increase in Access to energy services in the rural and peri-urban areas, including access to renewable energy;
• Security of Supply and the reduction of economic vulnerability to external shock, such as oil prices raise;
• Exchange, promotion and dissemination of sub-regional experiences relating to energy services in local production of energy goods and services using renewable resources;
• Affordable Energy services access to all Community Citizens.

The total duration of the project will be for two years, separate into two phases. Phase 1 will be for three months during which the Inception Report will be produced and assessed. The review of the Inception Report will constitute the vehicle for assessing performance during Phase 1 and confirmation for the continuation of the work in Phase 2, which will make up the balance for the two years.

Qualifications/Experience/Skills

Qualifications:

• At least a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, or other relevant field like electro-techniques, Energy Policies or a related field;
• A relevant combination of Master Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Degree in Management, Business Administration (MBA) will be a plus.
• Possession of a higher degree (PHD Level) would reduce the required professional experience to eight (8) years.

Experience:

• Ten (10) years professional experience in the energy sector, with pertinent achievement in energy access programmes or projects.
• Knowledge and experience in coordination of Energy Programs and projects at national and regional levels.
• Experience in preparation and Management of donor-funded projects and working with development partners would be an advantage.
• Highly motivated with established leadership credentials in the energy and development community, with the diplomatic skills necessary in an often highly charged, high-profile political environment, and a track record of successful dealings at the highest levels of Government and the private sector/civil society.
• Demonstrated experience in program and project management, strategic planning, resource mobilization and fund raising.
• A sound knowledge and experience in coordination of Energy Programs and projects at national and regional levels.

Competences:

• Ability to work in a team and establish good team spirit in a multi-national/multi-cultural environment.
• Extensive experience in West Africa.
• Must be computer literate.
• Good writing and communication skills

Age

Candidates must be a citizen of one of the ECOWAS member states.

Languages

Excellent in one of the official languages of ECOWAS: English, French or Portuguese. A working knowledge of another would be an advantage

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