National Expert for the Joint Technical Committee of TSSC (Biogas, Biomass and Solar Trilateral Cooperation) Project

Contract

This is a NPSA-11 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about NPSA-11 contracts.

Background

Energy and agriculture sectors are the largest Green-House Gas (GHG) emitters in Sri Lanka, respectively representing around 59%, and 27% of the total national GHG emissions (SNC, 2011). Thus, these two sectors are sectors where energy savings and use of Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) can have a significant impact in terms of emission reductions apart from significant socio-economic benefits to the country.

Biogas, Biomass and Solar Trilateral Cooperation - Transitioning to Sustainable Energy Uses in the Agro-Industry in Sri Lanka (TSSC) is a 2-year project implemented by the United Nations Development in Sri Lanka. The Project supports Sri Lanka GHG emission reduction national targets through trial and demonstration of the potential of biogas, biomass and solar in the agro-industry sector. The Project is implemented under a South-South Cooperation framework and as such presents itself as a learning platform for both China and Sri Lanka to engage and cooperate at the international level in renewable energy technology (RET) transfer for GHG emission reduction.

Project interventions include:

• Developing Sri Lanka’s Provincial Council capacities in assessing carbon footprint in different agriculture activities and monitoring RET potential for GHG savings;
• Sharing Chinese knowledge and experience in biogas, biomass and solar for agro-industry in Sri Lanka.
• Determining suitable business models through South-South knowledge and experience sharing platforms.
• Providing support to Chinese institutions on carrying out relevant capacity development in South partner countries.

Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) and the Ministry of Power are the project implementing partners whereas UNDP, Sri Lanka provides the implementation support through Direct Implementation Modality (DIM).

Duties and Responsibilities

The selected candidate is expected to be engaged in various assignments including assessing energy use baseline in agriculture sectors, identify conducting training, facilitate with technical assessments, stakeholder consultations and discussions, use of National Expert’s knowledge and experience for preparation of provincial energy plans as detailed) below. Further, the National Expert will be assigned to a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) which consists of technical experts from Sri Lanka and China, and the selected candidate is expected to work collaboratively with other JTC members. The requirements of specific engagements of the National Expert will be decided by the Project Management Unit.

(i) Key Responsibilities: RET Applications

• Develop site selection criteria for short-listing of RETs demonstration sites.

• Evaluate proposals received from provincial councils and service providers based on the criteria developed above.

• Conduct prefeasibility (technical feasibility, financial viability, environmental aspects, and local adaptability of any available Chinese technology or solutions) studies for RET applications short –listed sites with the assistance of Chinese & PMU experts.

• Preparation of technical specifications for the procurement of RET technologies as per local requirements.

• Evaluation of project proposals and contract negotiations with selected parties.

• Quality assurance of construction/installation of above technology demonstration sites during construction/installation.

• Develop a data collection framework and strategy for the provincial councils

• Conduct training program on data collection, data management and ENERGIS for provincial staff and facilitate baseline data collection

• Develop specifications for IT equipment to facilitate data collection

• Facilitate Chinese Agricultural University experts to conduct training needs assessments

• Facilitate Chinese Agricultural University experts to design and conduct training programmes. It is expected that the National Expert will support the CAU in developing training materials, translation to local languages, identifying the target audience and most suited locations, necessary coordination with relevant provincial officials to conduct the training programme where necessary.

• Develop national guidelines on operation, maintenance, and design for the agriculture sector on RET technologies with other JTC members.

• Develop & document best case studies based on the lessons learnt from the demonstration sites

• Support in the design of Award Scheme for best RET in agriculture and fisheries sectors

• The National Expert should be available for in-country mission schedules of Chinese consultants which will be informed 2 weeks in advance

Note: The National Expert should closely work with all JTC experts in delivering the above scope of work. The expert is to provide sufficient information and guidance on specific technology applications to be deployed in five provinces as demonstrations. Further, he/she should work in collaboration with other local and Chinese experts, PMU, Provincial and SLSEA members.

(ii) Other Responsibilities

a. Preparation of Provincial Energy Plans

• Assist to prepare and/or upgrade provincial energy plans and establish energy saving targets. Inclusion of potential new RET application opportunities identified above should be recommended, as deemed

b. Establishment of Joint Research Extension Centres

• Provide technical assistance in the process of establishment of 2 Joint Research Extension Centres (JREC) in two provinces. Task includes assist to preparation of Letter of Agreements (LOAs), Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) and agreement during JREC establishments, training of JREC members on RET system design, construction/installation, and operation & maintenance etc.

• Assist to follow up their activities and services to ensure smooth and extended service offer promoting RETs in agriculture sectors after establishment of JRECs.

c. Energy Data Management and MRVing of Emission Reductions

• Review completed Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) emission reductions of RET technology applications.

• The National Expert should assist to develop data collection templates, MRVing templates and data follow structures for the these selected RET technology applications

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 4: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 4: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 4: Create systems and processes that enable learning and development for all

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 4: Proactively initiate/lead organizational change, champion new systems/processes

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 4: Able to make difficult decisions in challenging situations, inspire confidence

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 4: Construct strategic multi-partner alliances in high stake situations, foster co-creation

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 4: Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area

Definition

Gender

Gender Mainstreaming

Knowledge Generation

To research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Communication

Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Academic Education

Master’s Degree or equivalent in a relevant area such as climate change mitigation, energy management, energy technology, natural resource management, agriculture engineering, environmental sciences, or related fields is required.

Minimum years of relevant Work experience

Minimum of 7 years of demonstrated experience and knowledge in the earlier mentioned fields of expertise, along with experience in working on Green House Gas (GHG)/Climate Change Mitigation projects, programmes and initiatives are required.

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Being a Chartered professional in the field (mechanical, electrical, civil or chemical engineering - from a recognized institution) will be an added advantage;
• Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office) is an advantage.
• Demonstrated strategic technical and intellectual skills in the substantive areas is desirable.
• Demonstrated leadership, facilitation, coordination skills, ability to mentor technical teams is desirable.
• Working experience with international organizations or similar projects/programme design and implementations is an asset.
• Experience in planning and/or delivering gender responsive programming is desirable.
• Previous UN experience in a similar position will be an advantage

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Excellent Language skills in Sinhala and/Tamil and English, particularly in the preparation of written documents;