National Energy Efficiency Expert

Result of ServiceThe National Energy Efficiency Expert will develop and deliver the following activities: • Provide on-the-ground guidance and overall support for the implementation of activities and the development of products related to all project outputs. • Support the development and/or revision of relevant project documents—including technical reports, training and event materials, and progress reports—to ensure all documentation incorporates the country’s insights and information, and that all outputs align with national requirements and expectations. • Facilitate communication and collaboration among local stakeholders—including government officials, national institutions, local organizations, experts, and key personnel—to ensure their active engagement and participation in the project. • Support data gathering, technical and policy documentation from Côte d’Ivoire as required, to perform market and policy assessments. • Support the collection of market information, data and inputs from various national sources and stakeholders to ensure that technical and policy recommendations are tailored to the country’s specific needs. • Support the coordination, preparation, and delivery of the project's workshops, trainings, events, and meetings. This includes handling various logistical tasks such as identifying potential participants, sending invitations, and coordinating with local service providers (e.g., venue, catering), among others. • Support travel arrangements for United for Efficiency experts/partners and/or participants, including local experts/officers as required. • Follow up with government representatives to ensure timely endorsement and approval of project outputs by the local counterpart, in alignment with the project timeline. • Actively participate in the project Policy Working Groups, meetings, events and workshops affiliated with UNEP´s technical assistance. • Development progress project report and administrative documentation on behalf of the country as required. • Perform other duties related to the project, as requested by UNEP-U4E programme officer. Work LocationAbidjan, Cote d’Ivoire Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the voice of the environment in the United Nations system. It acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator, working to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment. The 'United for Efficiency (U4E)' initiative provides a path to help global economies achieve their energy-saving and CO2 emissions reduction goals. In national and regional projects around the world, U4E promotes an Integrated Policy Approach which includes minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for electrical products; product labelling and communications; financial mechanisms; market monitoring, verification of product performance and enforcement of regulations (MVE); and environmentally-sound management (ESM) for the safe handling of products. MEPS and energy labeling, when well-designed and effectively implemented, are powerful tools for shifting markets toward higher EE. In their absence, markets risk becoming dumping grounds for inefficient products that have been phased out elsewhere due to regulatory restrictions. Introducing MEPS can also be complemented by refrigerant regulations that require the use of substances with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and low global warming potential (GWP). This dual approach not only enhances the EE of products but also supports the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and reduces air pollutants, thereby mitigating environmental harm and public health risks. The UN Environment Programme’s U4E initiative provides independent technical assistance to over 30 countries through national and regional projects aimed at transforming markets for lighting, appliances, and equipment—products that collectively account for more than half of global electricity consumption. U4E has a strong presence in the African region, with market transformation projects in countries such as Nigeria, Tunisia, and South Africa. Under the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), U4E has expanded its portfolio to Côte d’Ivoire through a new project focused on complementing HFC mitigation efforts by reducing cooling-related emissions. This will be achieved by improving the energy efficiency of refrigerators and room air conditioners. To support the implementation of this initiative, a local expert with experience in cooling and/or energy efficiency is required to assist with project delivery in Côte d’Ivoire. Thus, the UN Environment Programme’s U4E initiative is seeking the services of a National Energy Efficiency Expert to support the coordination, monitoring, and delivery of technical assistance under the CCAC Project titled “Complementing HFC Mitigation and Reducing Cooling-Related Emissions by Improving Energy Efficiency of Cooling Equipment”. The expert will play a key role in ensuring that project activities in Côte d’Ivoire are effectively planned and implemented, that technical specifications and procedures are appropriately integrated into national response plans and programmes, and that coordination and dialogue among national stakeholders, government representatives, and technical experts are effectively facilitated. The consultant shall work in close coordination with the executing agencies in Côte d’Ivoire (Ministry of Mines, Petrol and Energy) and the implementing agency UNEP and will be responsible for the following outputs: Output 1: The consultant will support the monitoring of project activities in Côte d’Ivoire to ensure that country-specific deliverables and inputs from the government align with the overall project objectives and timelines. The consultant will be responsible for following up with government representatives to secure timely endorsement and approval of project outputs and reports, as well as to ensure the delivery of necessary inputs and information from the local counterpart. Output 2: Provide on-the-ground guidance and overall support for the implementation of activities and the development of products related to all project outputs, so that these are properly tailored to the country´s context and Ministry requirements/expectations. The activity might include the development and/or revision of relevant project documents—including technical reports, training and event materials, terms of reference and progress reports—to ensure all documentation incorporates the country’s insights. The activity might involve reviewing and providing feedback on specific deliverables related to MEPS and labelling policies, MVE frameworks, SPP guidelines, and broader technical recommendations on energy-efficient cooling. Output 3: Support the establishment and operation of the Policy Working Group (PWG), including support organizing virtual and in-person meetings, coordinating the selection and engagement of PWG members, and following up to ensure their active participation. Support the development of the agenda and contents of the event and prepare detailed reports or minutes from each meeting, outlining key action points, strategic priorities, and next steps for the project. Facilitate the communication, collaboration and involvement from local stakeholders and UNEP international experts as required. The activity might include the organization of bilateral meetings and consultation with working group members via email/teleconferences as required. Output 4: Support the outreach and communication with PWG members and more broadly with other national stakeholders, to ensure a fluid communication between the local counterpart and United for Efficiency experts/partners and/or local experts as required in order to coordinate and progress on technical activities. Development of meeting notes from regular calls with the international cooling expert and UNEP-U4E team/partners. Output 5: Support the development of the Market and Policy Assessment and other tailored project deliverables, including activities related to data collection, provision of technical, regulatory and policy documentation from Côte d’Ivoire, and gathering market-related information and inputs from a range of national stakeholders such as manufacturers, importers, and government institutions. Output 6: Support the coordination and delivery of project´s Workshops, Trainings, Events and Meetings in the framework of the project. The activity includes but not limited to: identification of local participants, issuing of invitations, coordination/follow up attendees when in-person meetings/events, connection parameters when virtual, support in the development of the agenda and contents of the event, development of material as required (e.g brochure, presentations, etc), support training pre- and post-evaluation reports, and coordination of logistic arrangements for in person meetings (travel, venue, catering, etc). The consultant will be requested to actively participate in the project events, workshops and meetings affiliated with UNEP´s technical assistance as required. The events to be organised within the contract framework will include, but are not limited to: • Every quarter technical workshops meetings with the Policy Working Group (hybrid in-person and virtual) with relevant stakeholders (e.g.; policy makers, manufacturers, importers and retailers of equipment, financial institutions, consumers organizations, and customs departments) to communicate on the different regulatory development and implementation stages: present the assessment results, MEPS/Labels proposal, seek endorsement of the recommendations/schemes proposed, exchange with local stakeholder to agree on responsibilities and roles for the implementation of the MEPS/Labels and gas regulation, etc. • One (1) capacity-building session on the implementation of MEPS and label policies in conjunction with training for Kigali Implementation. Output 7: Support travel arrangements and bilaterial meetings for United for Efficiency experts/partners and/or local experts as required, as part of a technical mission to Cote d’Ivoire. Output 8: Support the development of administrative documentation on behalf of the national counterpart, including project progress reports, presentations, and other related materials as required. Qualifications/special skills• Minimum advanced university degree (Masters) in Engineering or a relevant scientific or technical discipline. Knowledge of policy and market aspects is highly valued. • More than 5 years’ proven experience in project management and public administration. • Proven experience and understanding of the policy, technical and regulatory aspects of energy efficiency and/or cooling in Côte d’Ivoire • Experience in the coordination of events, workshops, trainings and travel logistics. • Experience in aspects related to market, data collection/modelling or analysis is an asset. • Technical competences and knowledge on HVAC systems, especially Refrigerators and Room Air Conditioners, natural refrigerant gases and energy efficiency for cooling appliances is an asset. • Knowledge and experience working with Cote d’Ivoire´s national institutions and government officials, as well as with private sectors stakeholders • Experience working in Cote d’Ivoire and other countries in the ECOWAS. • Ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied field sources in order to produce highly qualitative communication presentations. • Availability and commitment to perform tasks as required. • Experience working in multicultural teams. • Good ability in written and oral communication. • Excellent technical writing skills and training delivery. Languages• Fluency in English (both spoken and written) and a working knowledge of French. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.