Energy Efficiency Expert

Result of Service - Assessing the current institutional framework of South Africa regarding the development and implementation of MEPS and labels; - Liaising with national stakeholders, international and national experts as well as project partners for the development and finalization of policy and technical recommendations to improve the institutional framework; - Identifying legal requirements and financial consequences to alternate approaches and its implications; - Providing technical assistance for national stakeholders in South Africa; - Capturing progress and key findings for use in reporting, outreach and promotion of the activities of the initiative; - Tracking timely and quality development and submission of deliverables and financial information, and compiling and submitting information for reporting; - Conducting outreach to project partners and stakeholders; - Planning and hosting meetings, events and calls - including preparing agendas and materials, taking notes on key findings, and taking action on related tasks; and - Other tasks as assigned.

Work Location Remote

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities The 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.

UNEP's activities include the assessment of environmental conditions and trends at the global, regional and national levels, the development of international and national environmental instruments and the strengthening of institutions to promote sound management of the environment. UNEP has a long history of contributing to the development and implementation of environmental law as part of its normative work or facilitating intergovernmental meetings to develop multilateral environmental agreements, principles and guidelines encountered in this area at the global level.

The United for Efficiency (U4E) is a global effort supporting developing countries and emerging economies to move their markets to energy-efficient appliances and equipment. Under the leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), U4E brings together all key stakeholders active in the area of product efficiency. U4E: 1) Informs policy makers of the potential environmental, financial and economic savings of a transition to high-efficiency products; 2) Identifies and promotes global best practices in transforming markets; 3) Offers tailored assistance to governments to develop and implement national and regional strategies and projects to achieve a fast and sustainable market transformation.

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. 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 and requiring the same information on product labels.

U4E has a diverse and growing portfolio of activities around the world, which requires a national energy efficiency expert to support new activities in South Africa. South Africa is a key player on the African continent as many of the other countries import appliances from there. In this context, any change in the MEPS and labels in South Africa will have directly a leveraging effect to the whole region. Therefore, U4E is aiming to support the country in updating its MEPS and labelling programme to make these fit to the current technologies on the market. A national energy efficiency expert is required to advise on the activities in the country.

Qualifications/special skills An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent additional experience) in energy or environmental policy, energy or economics, or a related engineering or science field; PhD is an asset;

At least 10 years of professional experience with energy policies and international development programmes as well as energy efficiency.

Proven knowledge and understanding of international best practices on MEPS and labels

Previous experience with appliance technologies and opportunities for improving performance (or similar products) is an asset;

Experience in Africa in energy related projects. Experience in South Africa is an asset;

Technical competences and in-depth experience on energy efficiency, such as through projects with international development partners, laboratories, electricity utilities or similar.

• Excellent written and oral communications skills on energy or environmental related topics;
• Excellent record in collaborating with a team, and ability to adapt to meeting varying needs as a project evolves;
• Availability to work remotely and to support UNEP’s U4E team virtually who are based in Paris, France.

Professional publication record on energy efficiency policies in Sub-Saharan Africa and preferably South Africa.

Languages Fluency in spoken and written English;

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.