Expression of Interest (EOI) at the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE)

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) was established in response to the recommendation of the ECOWAS/UEMOA White Paper on access to energy services in rural and peri-urban areas issued in 2006. This recommendation was given a further boost by the Ouagadougou Declaration, where the ECOWAS Conference on Peace and Security on the 12th of November 2007, articulated the need to establish the centre. At the same conference, the Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs and UNIDO pledged support for the creation and takeoff of the Centre.

Applications are invited for:

Title: Expression of Interest (EOI) - Project Coordinator of Support for Rural Electrification by Renewable Energy Systems in the Liptako-Gourma Region - Pilot Phase

Project Background
As in many other Sahelian countries, universal access to clean, sustainable, and affordable energy in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger remains a major challenge, especially for the most vulnerable populations. In 2019, 45 million people or 72% of the population of these three countries still lacked access to electricity. More than 57% of the population without access resides in rural areas. Clean cooking shows even worse indicators with 88% of the population lacking access.

To support the efforts of the three governments towards the provision of sustainable energy services to the most vulnerable populations and to capitalize on the very significant potential for solar energy in the region, UNDP and UNOPS in partnership with ECREEE are implementing, with SIDA funding and under the institutional anchoring of the Liptako-Gourma Authority (ALG), the "Rural Electrification Project by Renewable Energy Systems in the Liptako-Gourma Region - Pilot Phase", for a duration of 3 years (2021 - 2023). This project aims to (i) provide institutional support in the field of rural electrification and support the revision of the regulatory framework of the three countries to promote investment in renewable energy; (ii) install six photovoltaic minigrids with batteries in the Liptako-Gourma region; (iii) support the private sector engaged in the development of mini-grids; and (iv) promote the creation of incomegenerating activities through the use of the energy services provided to communities by the project The success of this project will condition the implementation of a second phase aimed at scaling up these activities, with contributions from a larger number of partners and donors mobilized to fight the energy crisis in Liptako-Gourma.

In view of ECREEE’s experience, UNDP signed an agreement with ECREEE to provide technical expertise (through a consultant or sub-contracting) to realize the activities in the implementation of the project “Support for Rural Electrification by Renewable Energy Systems in the Liptako-Gourma Region – Pilot Phase”, as specified in Project Document, to which UNDP has been selected as implementing partner.

Scope of Work
The Project Coordinator is responsible for the following:

• Provide support and leadership on all Renewable Energy (RE) programs and projects of ECREEE;
• Provide the ECREEE RE Units with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently;
• Contribute to the identification and implementation of innovation and continuous improvement in support of organizational excellence and world-class performance;
• Update the ED, on a regular basis, on the progress and challenges faced by the RE Units in the implementation of the programs and projects as well as on technical, policy or strategic RE issues;
• Plan, follow-up and monitor ECREEE RE Units activities, particularly in coordinating the work programs, providing technical and policy input and quality assurance within the appraisal framework of ECREEE;
• Provide technical and policy inputs to the ECREEE Business Plan, annual Work Plans and Status Reports considering in particular strategic orientations for the RE sectors of West Africa, as well as internationally.
• Coordinate, support and monitor the identification and implementation activities of all RE programs and projects of ECREEE. Support harmonization of interventions, identify and build on synergies with other activities of ECREEE;
• Facilitate and support the development and harmonization of RE policies, strategies and quality assurance frameworks within the region, including with ongoing activities and programmes;
• Identify complementary activities and opportunities to avoid overlap, where the support from ECREEE would facilitate/accelerate the development of RE activities;
• Identify, promote and initiate RE projects and actions to accelerate the development and replication of RE activities and support coordination with donor agencies to mobilize resources;
• Produce technical project reports and regularly provide policy briefs on topical issues to development partners, and bring to the attention of stakeholders;
• Actively participate in RE discussions through compilation of technical and policy briefs, and publication of relevant material;
• Support reviewing and recommendation of RE projects presented to ECREEE for funding and provide technical and policy input to projects funded by ECREEE throughout the project cycle;
• Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in coordination with other Units of ECREEE. Support the preparation of training material, training programmes and awareness raising materials for stakeholders (including the general population, academia, NGOs and CSOs, etc.);

In addition, the Project Coordinator is responsible for the following project specific activities:

• Activities in Component 1 (Institutional support):
  • Support the creation/strengthening of a national stakeholders’ coordination platform on off-grid clean energy in the three countries, that includes the main relevant stakeholders of the energy sector.
  • Establish an energy information, modelling and monitoring system at the regional level, with national-level access in the 3 countries of the project.
• Activities in Component 3 (Support for the improvement of the regulatory frameworks):
  • Using the results of the DREI (Derisking Renewable Energy Investment) analysis conducted by UNDP, support the design and endorsement of priority policy and financial derisking instruments in the 3 countries.
• Activities in Component 5 (Support for the development of revenue-generating activities):
  • Carry out gender-responsive field surveys in order to assess the need for clean cooking solutions and the most adequate technologies, as well as the capacity and willingness to pay for such a solution in the target communities. Identify optimal locations and business models for one rural center per country for the production of clean cooking solutions for the local communities.
  • Mobilize and train the beneficiary communities and women entrepreneurs on the operationalization of the clean cooking production centers, and in the marketing and distribution of their products.

Expected Deliverables
Key deliverables that the consultant would be required to produce include the following. The consultant will provide the following deliverables:

• Draft work plan and inception report for the entire duration of the assignment;
• Monthly report of tasks performed, and deliverables achieved, including Monthly budget and work plans for the forthcoming month, to be submitted on the 15th of each month;
• Quarterly interim reports;
• Annual report;
• Monitoring and project progress reports, where required;
• Technical reports on workshops and technical assistance activities, where required;
• Mission Back-to-office reports, where required;
• Other relevant documents;

Qualifications, Skills and Experience
The coordinator shall have at least a master’s degree in engineering, Economics, or similar areas with a strong focus on sustainable energy and:

• At least 10 years post-qualification experience.
• At least 5 years’ experience as renewable energy project /program coordinator.
• At least 5 years Extensive knowledge on promoting clean cooking solutions
• At least 3 years Work experience in sustainable energy in West Africa particularly.
• Proven experience in participating in similar donor-funded projects (proven experience in working in UNDP projects would be an advantage).
• Candidate must be a Citizen of an ECOWAS Member State
• Languages: Proficiency in English or French (both oral and written). A working knowledge in Portuguese will be an advantage

Other required skills and competencies include:

• Strong planning, organization and time management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks;
• Capacity to be a member of a multi-disciplinary team, to provide advice and recommend actions;
• Proficiency in preparing and presenting professional reports and analytical papers;
• Able to communicate effectively in writing to a varied and broad audience simply and concisely;
• Capable of working in a high-pressure environment with sharp and frequent deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously;
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
• Team work skills;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, particularly in the preparation of written documents;
• Very good interpersonal and communication skills, ability to manage relations with development partners, to work under pressure, and handle politically and culturally sensitive issues;
• Ability to manage relations with development partners.

Application Closing Date
20th May, 2022.

Submission of Documents
Interested candidates should submit the below documents by e-mail through: wacca_cookstove@ecreee.org clearly indicating in the subject “Project Coordinator – Support for Rural Electrification Renewable Energy System in the Liptako-Gourma Region – Pilot Phase”.

The application should contain the following documents:

• Detailed CV and Cover Letter indicating the availability to start the work.
• Track record of assignments of similar scope and focus (list of int. projects and descriptions)
• Scanned copy of university certificates and other technical certifications, licenses and quality standards related to the assignment.

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