Consultant on Financing the Energy Transition

Contract

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Result of Service

Overall Guidelines to deliver the consultancy work: I. The consultant will undertake background analysis of APAC countries, focusing on the core-selected countries Philippines, Viet Nam, Indonesia. In this regard, it is expected that the consultant will dive into the current legal and policy frameworks on and related to energy transition of these three countries, sustainable finance and green policies/practices. This analysis will feed into three reports aimed at taking stock of the main obstacles faced by the three selected countries in facilitating the financing of energy transition. Recommendations stemming from these reports will be presented at the sub-regional level in accordance to the timeframe of the project. II. It is essential that the development of any policy framework be undertaken in a consultative process, the consultant will be required to engage with stakeholders across Ministries and agencies to ensure buy-in and decision-making from the selected countries. In this regard the consultant will provide backstopping to the intergovernmental working group, under the leadership of the Economic Affairs Officer. III. The consultant will provide substantive backstopping for the development of capacity knowledge products to raise awareness of the interlinkages between the mandates of MoE and MoF and among other lines of Ministries in the three selected countries and support ESCAP in advocating for them in each country. IV. The consultant will review - from a legal/regulatory perspective - the development of Viet Nam, Philippines and Indonesia, Energy Governance Plan, Transition Taxonomies, Energy Transition and any related financing energy policy implementation plans, as well as research upcoming policy plans within the three selected countries and at the regional level. The consultant will provide a comparative matrix of the regional initiatives and the three selected countries. V. The consultant will further provide substantive backstopping ESCAP’s work to build awareness and knowledge on the topics of the three outputs within ESCAP and with external stakeholders as well as with the national selected countries. VI. The consultant will keep apprised of the current trends and developments related to green finance in the Asia Pacific region, especially in the three selected countries. The consultant will provide technical inputs to studies, research and policy briefs, providing concrete recommendations for policymakers. VII. Provide policy recommendations – including both short-term and long-term recommendations for green and sustainable finance development according to the specific topics of the three outputs (3 reports). Policy recommendations should be clear, actionable, and considered in consultation with key stakeholders to ensure applicability. A comparative table and implementation summary table should be incorporated if deemed applicable. VIII. The consultant will provide advice to the staff in organizing and following up on a national workshop to disseminate the project’s outputs (3 reports) and the regional policy dialogues, including reviewing the draft of the concept note; provide advice in coordinating with government officials, partners, and stakeholders; facilitate communication to recruit potential speakers; and provide substantive backstopping the development of final event reports. IX. The consultant will actively seek opportunities for ESCAP to engage in climate and green finance dialogue, fundraising and other related initiatives that can further raise the profile and advocacy messaging of the team and of the outputs. Timeframe and Expected Outputs and Deliverables: Outputs 1. Regional report highlighting the challenges, needs, priorities, and available financing options/modalities of the Asia-Pacific region in the area of financing energy transition. Deliverables: Conduction of interviews to member States - Delivery date May 2024 First draft submission to ESCAP - Delivery date End of May 2024 Revised and final draft submission - Delivery date Mid-June 2024 Support 1st regional policy dialogue (virtual)- Delivery date 7 May 2024 Outputs 2. Report Transition Taxonomy Lessons Learned Deliverables: Conduction of virtual interviews to member States - Delivery date June 2024 First draft submission to ESCAP - Delivery date Mid-July 2024 Revised and final draft submission- Delivery date Mid-August 2024 Validation Workshop with core beneficiaries (virtual) - Delivery date September 2024 Outputs 3. Report on Energy Finance Advisory and Communication Deliverables: Conduction of virtual interviews to member States - Delivery date August 2024 First draft submission to ESCAP- Delivery date Mid-September 2024 Revised and final draft submission- Delivery date Mid-October 2024 Validation Workshop with core beneficiaries (virtual) - Delivery date End of October 2024 Outputs 4. Overall substantive & strategic advice and support to the Project activities Deliverables: Substantive comments on concept notes for workshops, meeting notes, reports, etc. - Delivery Dates End of October 2024 Furthermore, the consultant will: o Incorporate comments and suggestions, as appropriate. o Submit the final documents will be typed in Times New Roman 12 and 1.5 space between lines. ESCAP will be the sole owner of the study’s copyright. IMPORTANT: Key Performance Indicators for the evaluation of outputs: o Punctuality of the submissions. o Demonstrated expert knowledge of the subject area. o Quality of analysis, recommendations, or conclusions in the study. o Quality of written outputs.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

1 April 2024 - 30 October 2024

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Purpose. The project “addressing the challenges of financing energy transition in Asia Pacific region” intends to build capacity in selected member States to mobilize more financing for the energy transition. Governments from Viet Nam, Philippines and Indonesia have formally and informally requested assistance to enhance their capacity building to support and facilitate the financing of their energy transition. The initiative builds on ESCAP’s extensive experience providing technical assistance and capacity-building to member States to address systemic challenges hindering the mobilization of sufficient sustainable financing and financing of climate action at scale, as well as access to climate finance and the development of a sustainable finance ecosystem. This includes supporting regulators and policymakers in the identification of sustainable financing priorities, development of policy and regulatory frameworks and sustainable capital markets. Applicants are encouraged to provide work samples of similar work undertaken, along with their application. Questions can be directed to: [email protected] . 2. Objective. Under the direct supervision of the Economic Affairs Officer at the Financing For Development Section of the Macroeconomic Policy and Finance for Development Division; and the overall guidance of the Chief of the Financing For Development Section, the consultant will deliver three reports as well as provide technical expertise to the Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation (RPTC) project entitled “Addressing the challenges of financing the energy transition in the Asia Pacific region” based on the following details pertaining of each of the three reports to be delivered: 1st deliverable: Regional report highlighting the challenges, needs, priorities, and available financing options/modalities of the Asia-Pacific region in the area of financing energy transition. Objective: The report aims to give a regional overview of the challenges, needs and priorities of member states to facilitate their energy transition and how sustainable finance can act as a driver to achieve such objective. Outline: The outline will be provided by the Supervisor once the TORs are signed with the selected consultant. Output: 50-page Assessment report on the needs and priorities to facilitate the sustainable financing of energy transition activities in the APAC region with a focus on 7 key countries including recommendations for the member states to enhance their sustainable finance technical and institutional architecture. Targeted results: Scoping exercise to assess the challenges and priorities for member states in the region. 2nd deliverable: Report Transition Taxonomy Lessons Learned Objective: Bring the classifications of Asia-Pacific member countries towards a reference point for regional and international financial cooperation organizations to develop sustainability activities. Outline: The outline will be provided by the Supervisor once the TORs are signed with the selected consultant. Output: Report on Transition Taxonomy Lessons Learned. Targeted results: Raise awareness of the commonalities between the Transition Taxonomies at the regional level to stir interest for the establishment of a reference point for regional and international financial cooperation organizations to develop sustainability activities. 3rd deliverable: Report on Energy Finance Advisory and Communication. Objective: Build a common understanding among line ministries about how to finance the energy transition. Outline: The outline will be provided by the Supervisor once the TORs are signed with the selected consultant. Output 1: Report on Energy Finance Advisory and Communication as per the outline below. This report will include a mapping (past, current and future activities) of key technical assistance and financing providers (donors, DFIs – ADB, AIIB, etc - , Commercial finance, etc) in areas of FET focusing on each of three selected beneficiary countries (Indonesia, Viet Nam, Philippines). The report aims to provide an overview of the institutional framework and mandates between MoF and MoE in facilitating ET, as well as in relation to other line ministries to grasp the challenges and which lessons can be learnt to streamline the process and avoid overlapping in the delivery of the ET agenda. Output 2: A package of capacity building knowledge products for line ministries such as transport, infrastructure, social affairs, etc, as well as energy and finance on the issues and interlinkages related to financing the energy transition. The design can be delivered in the format of a brochure/booklet of information to be circulated to line ministries in the national language to raise awareness of the interlinkages. Delivery: One report and a package of capacity building knowledge products to support potential training activities. Targeted results: Having raised awareness and cooperation among energy and finance ministries, and with other line ministries in the three selected countries which will be demonstrated by an institutional interest to set up a financial hub/taskforce among ministries to support ET agenda in each country.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree in economics, finance, law, international relations, or related area. The senior expert should have at least a master’s degree in a relevant field (energy, economics, engineering). - A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in green or sustainable finance is required in the region including Philippines and/or Viet Nam and/or Indonesia. - At least 10 years of experience in providing financial advice, market intelligence and development services in all renewable and energy transition technologies. - At least 7 years of experience in carrying out market studies, developing sectoral or national strategies in relation with trade, environment, or economic development, analysing the effects of climate change or conducting environmental impact assessments. - Experience in conducting research, drafting policy papers, capacity development materials, analytical work on capital markets development issues are desired. - Relevant experience in the field of sustainable development or economic development as a project coordinator, a consultant or a researcher is also accepted. - Experience in providing advisory services in energy transition sectors such as solar, offshore, grid infrastructure and renewable projects is required. - Experience in conducting research or supporting project implementation in Asia Pacific is required. - Previous experience in financial and/or financial regulatory services is a strong asset.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.

Additional Information

Total Fee USD 52,000 based on the work plan to be established between the project supervisor and the consultant.

No Fee

THE 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.