Monitoring, Verification and Enforcement Expert (MVE)

Result of Service - Assessing the current product registration system of Rwanda regarding the development and implementation of a new product registration system. - 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 market surveillance scheme and the PRS. - Market surveillance scheme with data collection and reporting processes developed. - Product registration system fully implemented. - Project stakeholders trained about the system and its functionalities

Work Location Remote

Expected duration 9 months

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is accelerating the global transition to energy efficiency and climate-friendly cooling. Getting the right solutions in place for refrigeration and space conditioning (cooling) is essential for improving the quality of life and health of people without undue impacts on the planet. United for Efficiency (U4E) is a global initiative launched in 2015 to help developing and emerging markets quickly and comprehensively transition to energy-efficient and climate-friendly lighting, room air conditioners, household refrigerators, electric motors and transformers (see http://united4efficiency.org).

Currently, under the Green Climate Fund (GCF), U4E has extended this portfolio to Rwanda, with a national readiness project titled, Rwanda Cooling Initiative (R-COOL): Enabling Deployment of Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Cooling, and thus an expert on Monitoring, Verification and Enforcement (MVE) to support the delivery of this new two-year project. The project aims to help the country leapfrog to energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling solutions by enhancing the capacities of stakeholders (particularly national officials with regulatory oversight of cooling products, equipment vendors and technicians, small shareholder farmers, and agribusinesses) for pursuing strategic priorities, developing an implementation framework for Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) and labels for room air conditioners and refrigerators, developing strategies for attracting investment and enhancing knowledge with consumers and other stakeholders.

A technical expert on MVE is needed to support the establishment of a strong policy and regulatory framework and promote higher efficiency cooling appliances and a sustainable cold chain in Rwanda. A National Project Steering Committee (PSC) exists, a National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on air conditioners and refrigerators is to be established) and an NTAC on agriculture and vaccine cold chain (existing) will be reinforced with capacity building to enable successful planning and implementation by key institutions germane to the cooling and cold chain domains (e.g. energy, environment, agriculture, standards, vocational trainers, industry associations, consumer / civil-society groups).

A national implementation framework for MEPS and labels will be developed to effectively oversee cooling products sold in the market and Environmentally-Sound Management (ESM) recommendations to address waste streams. The consultant will provide technical support, inter alia, to the development of the market surveillance scheme and product registration system, design and drafting of training programmes, as well as support communication and stakeholder engagement.

Core details

1.1 Explain the requirement for a consultant/individual contractor including the reference to the work programme

A. Market Surveillance - Development of a Market Surveillance Scheme to help ensure products comply with MEPS and labels and work with Government to help ensure budget is availed. - Conduct one a part-day capacity-building workshop to present the Scheme and approach for effective implementation; offer remote follow-up technical assistance to address questions.

B. Product Registration System - Develop a functioning Product Registration System (PRS) to monitor regulated products including interviewing stakeholders to assess needed functions, prepare software specs, and help oversee PRS system development. - Conduct with the MEPS expert one capacity building workshop to introduce the PRS & similar systems in East African Region.

C. Dissemination and communication - Support the development of a comprehensive Communications Strategy that builds on the R-COOL foundation and share the strategy with East and Southern African officials. - Support the implementation of the communication campaign.

Qualifications/special skills University degree (Bachelors) or equivalent in Engineering (electrical, mechanical, industrial, or similar), Electricity, computer science, public policy or in a relevant sustainable development discipline. More than 10 years of experience in the field of energy-efficiency and MVE systems Experience policy recommendations on energy efficiency tools, systems and measurements in line with international best practices Proven knowledge and understanding of international best practices on market surveillance, and product registration systems Active involvement and knowledge of international best practices on product design and testing to low global warming potential refrigerants and improved energy efficiency. Knowledge and experience in working with the government and private sector in Africa. Knowledge of past and current efficient cooling appliance in Africa, product testing standards and compliance projects and initiatives. Knowledge on the management of data collection, review, and assessment. Ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied field sources to produce highly qualitative presentations.

Skills/abilities/competencies: - Skills for timeliness and quality development of report and documents as well as written and oral presentation. - Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain good relationships with Rwandan government and stakeholders. - Capable of working to tight deadlines whilst maintaining a high standard of work. - Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills. - Ability to work alone or collaboratively with colleagues/teams and train others with varied levels of skills in refrigeration. - Strong analytical skills and ability to use and operate IT equipment and software. - Proven record of building strong relationships with customers and colleagues.

Languages Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

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.