International Consultant to develop the Model for Subsidizing energy efficiency measures in the residential sector in Pljevlja

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

For decades, coal industry and inefficient coal-based residential heating has been considered as a silent killer of Pljevlja City, that is one of the ten most polluted cities in the world. The air is heavily polluted, confirmed by figures: for the period from November 2019 to March 2020, pollution values were exceeded in 79 days. The EU Air Quality Directive acceptable limits are at 35 days a year. The key parameters of the health deterioration are rising premature birth and new-borns with congenital anomalies, adverse impacts on the respiratory system of adults and younger age patients, increase in depression, psychosis, epilepsy cases.

One of the key pollution emitters in Pljevlja are the household coal-fired furnaces. The municipal administration has initiated several measures to support residential sector in reducing the usage of coal for heating and increasing energy efficiency of houses and buildings. Since 2015, the municipality has been distributing pellets at subsidized prices to households that resulted in reduced number of households using the coal for heating for 20%, while the amount of coal being sold to households dropped for 30%.

Since 2020, the municipality has been collecting revenues - the environmental fee, based on the polluter pays principle, that will further enhance municipality’s financial capabilities to invest in green, sustainable solutions and eventually, reduce Pljevlja’s coal dependency. The funds collected are to be invested in projects and initiatives that will enable better protection of the environment, reduction of GHG emissions, promote green businesses and eventually, reduce Pljevlja’s coal dependency and GHG emissions and improve air quality.

The city administration urges for assistance in designing strategic guidelines and innovative models for restructuring and diversification of local economy with the aim to set the long-term pathways to reducing the coal-based industry dependency, enhancing the adaptive capacity of local communities and shifting the local economy towards sustainable economic activities.

UNDP CO Montenegro has been implementing Growing Green Business in Montenegro, with the objective to promote low emission business initiatives and decarbonization of Montenegrin economy. The project uses a combination of policy de-risking (implementation of favourable policy framework and provision of business support services) and financial de-risking instruments (improving access to finance for innovative green businesses and partnerships, in particular agriculture, tourism and energy sectors). It also provides technical support to Pljevlja administration to design a tailor-made subsidy program to support energy efficiency measures in the residential sector to reduce use of coal for heating, reduce electricity costs, improve air quality and reduce energy poverty.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment:

The objective of this consultancy is to develop a Model for Subsidizing energy efficiency measures in the residential sector in Pljevlja. In this regard, one (1) international consultant (hereinafter the Consultant) will be engaged.

Job content: Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Programme Manager, and in close coordination with the Mayor’s Cabinet of Pljevlja Municipality, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Analyze best practices from the region and the EU (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia) in the field of local incentive programs aimed at increasing energy efficiency and promoting the use of environmentally friendly energy sources for heating in households. Take in consideration the fact that the national Eco Fund has been established and is planning to implement various energy efficiency related support programs in Montenegro, so as this model/programme will not overlap;
• Develop a model for an energy efficiency subsidy program that includes: Technical criteria and requirements for the implementation of the program which include: eligibility criteria for end users, best available technological requirements, criteria for selection of companies for energy audits, procurement of equipment and implementation of energy efficiency measures, criteria for selection of companies / individuals for supervision and monitoring interventions; The financing criteria and the financing structure and the cash-flow matrix of the Program, including partnership and contractual relations with end beneficiaries, suppliers and possibly commercial banks; Legal requirements (property-legal relations, legal/illegal houses etc.);
• Prepare a Call for Proposals for citizens - end users, with all supporting documents as needed
• Prepare Call/s for Proposals/Bids for companies that will perform: energy audits, prepare technical documentation (if necessary), provide/deliver equipment / works / installations, supervise and monitor works / installations;
• Prepare a Call for Proposals/Bids for commercial banks;
• Develop structures and tools for program implementation: evaluation commission – structure and rulebook; matrix for assessment of proposals – citizens, suppliers, banks; monitoring/supervision matrixes; reporting templates and instructions; CO2 emission reduction calculation tool.

The expected results:

The Consultant will deliver:

• Model for Subsidizing energy efficiency measures in the residential sector in Pljevlja with the following components: Technical criteria; Financing criteria and the financing structure and the cash-flow matrix; Legal requirements;
• Structures and tools for program implementation: evaluation commission – structure and mode of operation; matrix for assessment of proposals – citizens, suppliers, banks; monitoring/supervision matrixes and templates; reporting templates and instructions; CO2 emission reduction calculation tool.
• Call for Proposals for citizens - end users, with all supporting documents, as needed;
• Call/s for Proposals/Bids for companies that will perform: energy audits, prepare technical documentation (if necessary), provide/deliver equipment / works / installations, supervise and monitor works / installations, Call for Proposals/Bids for commercial banks.

The deliverables shall be submitted in English or local language.

Time duration and travel:

The assignment will be carried out during the period from 15th September 2021 to 15th November 2021 for a maximum number of 25 working days. The consultant is expected to work from home with one mission of 5 working days (not including travel days) to Montenegro – Pljevlja and Podgorica (if the travel would be possible due to restrictions of travel caused by the pandemic). The travel related costs and living allowance should be included in the financial offer.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Minimum of Master's degree in technical science (preferably mechanical engineering, electrotechnics).

Experience:

• Minimum ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in the field of energy efficiency in buildings;
• Proven previous successful experience in development and implementation of at least one (1) model for subsidizing of energy efficiency in residential buildings – to be available on demand;
• Proven knowledge of the legal framework in the fields of air quality and energy efficiency in buildings in Montenegro;
• Previous experience in working with UNDP will be considered as asset, but it is not a requirement.

Language:

• Fluency in English language (written and spoken);
• Knowledge of Montenegrin language (written and spoken) will be considered as asset.

Criteria for selection:

Combined Scoring method will be used. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the inidividual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: (i) responsive, compliant, acceptable, and (ii) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical criteria weight - 70% (Background and education 10%; Relevant previous experience 20%; Substantial knowledge/Required competencies 30%; Required language 10%);

Financial criteria weight - 30%.

Only offerors obtaining a minimum 490 points for technical criteria will be considered for the financial evaluation. For more information on procurement methodology for Individual Contractors, please refer to Procurement Notice.

Application procedure:

Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by August 24, 2021 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain a duly completed CV or Personal History Form (P11) that can be downloaded from https://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/sr/home/jobs.html

Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.

Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work and travel envisaged in the section "Description of Responsibilities".