Consultant (Regional Power Interconnection)

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UNESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Thursday 24 Mar 2022 at 23:59 UTC

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Result of Service This service will result in a comprehensive report on capacity for regional power interconnection and energy cooperation that is demand driven. The report will be a key document for developing tailored capacity development programmes for relevant stakeholders in member States.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration 1 April – 15 October 2022

Duties and Responsibilities In 2020 with support from the Government of the Republic of Korea, ESCAP developed a report entitled “Regional Power Grid Connectivity for Sustainable Development in Northeast Asia: Policies and Strategies” which examined existing cross-border interconnections and arrangements in the region, and the interconnection initiatives proposed up to now, with the aim of providing policy recommendations and strategies for addressing the challenges ahead and for making the most of the benefits that a regionally interconnected sustainable power system in North-East Asia has to offer.

The Report proposes 9 strategies for moving forward including “coordinating, harmonizing and institutionalizing policy and regulatory frameworks”, as well as “moving towards multilateral power trade and creating competitive markets for cross-border electricity trade”. In other words, there are a number of “soft connectivity” issues to tackle for effective cross-border power interconnection and trade, and the success of these mega infrastructure projects critically depend on proficient institutional and regulatory conditions.

In addition, institutional reforms and introduction of legislation by countries and the establishment of a robust regulatory framework will act as a catalyst for promoting investments for regional power interconnection infrastructure.

As such, capacity development of various stakeholders to support and prepare for future regional power interconnection is a major prerequisite for developing a level of common understanding and norm setting. To ensure that the capacity development is demand-driven and not redundant, and to address the potential differences in existing capacities among various stakeholders, the proposed project will perform a diagnostic assessment of capacity needs and gaps among GTI member governments, utilities, regulators and other key stakeholders and design a corresponding capacity building programme in order to support the development of sustainable power interconnections and trade in the region.

The needs assessment will draw from previous studies including the Technical Assistance Consultant’s Report1, Report on Gobitec and Asian Super Grid for Renewable Energies in Northeast Asia2, and the Asia International Grid Connection Study Group Third Report3 which emphasize the need for regulatory and institutional coordination and harmonization and show that there is lack of in-depth information and reference. This project will help fill the information gap and address the critical requirements for proactive capacity building in support of regional integration of the power sector in Northeast Asia.

In this regard, the duties and responsibilities of the lead consultant will include the following: - Participate in and moderate discussions on the scope and relevant stakeholders of the capacity building needs assessment - Develop the methodology for carrying out the capacity building needs assessment (questionnaires, interviews etc.) - Coordinate and provide guidance to national consultants carrying out the national needs assessment based on agreed scope, stakeholders and methodology - Develop a draft report with recommended capacity building programmes and present it to relevant stakeholders at a follow-up workshop - Finalize the report on the result of the needs assessment and recommended capacity building programme with feedback from stakeholders at the follow-up workshop

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced degree in a field related to sustainable development, energy, economics, business management Experience: Experience in the energy sector, particularly related to regulation and policy frameworks for power trade and transit and cross-border energy cooperation using renewable energy sources; Experience in developing and implementing capacity building programmes in the energy sector Language: Strong command over English for successful implementation of work

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.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: careers.un.org