Cooling and Energy Efficiency Expert

Result of Service Implementation of the activities described will contribute to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions related to lighting, appliances and equipment globally. This will be achieved by means of providing technical input and guidance to the project team, its contractors and government representatives on energy efficiency policy development activities.

Work Location Remote

Expected duration 3 Months

Duties and Responsibilities United for Efficiency (U4E) is a global initiative launched in 2015 to help developing and emerging markets quickly and comprehensively transition to energy-efficient lighting, room air conditioners, household refrigerators, electric motors and transformers (see http://united4efficiency.org). A well-designed set of policies can help transform these markets by enabling them to leapfrog past outdated technologies to superior, cost-effective alternatives. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) leads U4E, with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Kigali Efficiency Cooling Programme (K-CEP) with support from the UN Development Programme and partners from industry and civil society.

In national and regional projects around the world, U4E promotes an Integrated Policy Approach that includes minimum energy performance standards (MEPS); product labelling and communications; financial mechanisms; market monitoring, verification of product performance and enforcement of regulations (MVE); and environmentally-sound management (ESM) and safe handling of products. Neighboring countries are encouraged to align policies and collaborate whenever practicable. When working together, countries can lower administrative and compliance costs by minimizing duplicative testing, coordinating inspection of products as they cross borders, requiring the same information on product labels, and so on.

U4E has a diverse and growing portfolio of activities around the world, which requires a Cooling MEPS and Labelling Expert Consultant to support a regional project in the Eastern and Southern African regions on energy efficient cooling. The project aims the harmonization of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling on room air conditioners and residential refrigerators (cooling products) in the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) regions. In this context, the Cooling MEPS and Labelling Expert Consultant will deliver technical input to support the national consultations on MEPS and labelling with the countries of both regions with the view of achieve a consensus on a regionally coordinated regulatory framework. The Consultant will work in coordination with the U4E team and other international experts involved in the region on energy-efficient cooling (such as through the GCF project on energy-efficient refrigerators for the SADC region).

The consultant will further: - Participate in calls and/or workshops with the countries of the EAC and SADC region. - Provide technical input to queries from countries on proposed MEPS and labelling, such as a comparison of the proposed draft MEPS with the European standards. - Deliver technical guidance on developing the final harmonized MEPS and labelling, especially in the case of contradicting requests from the countries. - Provide technical advice to U4E team.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Minimum advanced university degree (Masters) or equivalent in Engineering and Electricity or in a relevant scientific development discipline. Experience: - Minimum 8 years’ experience in energy efficiency. - Technical competences and proven experience in the cooling sector and specifically on developing MEPS and labels. - Proven knowledge and understanding of international best practices for on MEPS and labels, especially on room air conditioners and/or refrigerators. - In-depth experience and understanding of energy efficiency, such as through the work in a laboratory, university or similar. - Professional publication record regarding the technical and regulatory aspects of efficient cooling. - Experience working on energy efficiency projects on the African continent and/or the Eastern or Southern African region. - Ability and commitment to perform the tasks. - Excellent written and oral communication skills. Language: Fluent in English (written and spoken).

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.