WIND ENERGY EXPERT FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE PROJECT DOCUMENT

The South African Wind Energy Programme (SAWEP) is a multi-year technical assistance project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and co-financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which is supporting the Government of South Africa in promoting the large-scale commercialization of wind energy. Phase I of the project was implemented from 2007-2011 and received USD $2.3 million in GEF grant funding. The initial aim of SAWEP was to assist the South African Government and industry stakeholders in creating an enabling environment for the commercial replication of grid connected wind farms and the establishment of a vibrant and sustainable wind industry in South Africa. The first phase of SAWEP was instrumental in removing a number of key institutional, regulatory and technical barriers required to facilitate private sector investment in the wind sector and in 2008 was responsible for the commissioning of the Darling Wind Farm, South Africa’s first wind farm and a designated national demonstration project. The first phase of SAWEP also helped fund the development and launch of South Africa’s first numerical Wind Atlas (WASA) and assisted in the development of several key national policies that led to the Government of South Africa’s decision to launch a Renewable Energy IPP procurement program with a sizeable initial allocation for onshore wind.  GEF has recently approved a project proposal concept for an additional funding allocation of USD $3.5 million for a second phase of SAWEP designed to assist government and industry stakeholders overcome strategic barriers to the successful attainment of South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan target of 3,320 MW of wind power online by 2020. The second phase of SAWEP is intended to build on the achievements of the first phase as regards removal of early-stage “energy-related” barriers and focus efforts on creating the conditions for medium- and long-term wind power development in South Africa. Components proposed under the second phase of SAWEP includes activities to support optimization and improvement of local content targets in wind energy procurement mechanisms; enhanced skills development in under-represented regions; development and approval of standards, testing and certification schemes; resource mapping and wind corridor development support for policy-makers; and support for the Department of Energy’s small-scale wind REIPP Programme. The main stakeholder and key executing partner for the project is the South African Department of Energy (DOE). SAWEP Phase II is firmly embedded in and prioritized under the South African National Climate Change Response White Paper (2012); the South Africa New Growth Path; the Green Economy Accord; the Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity (IRP) and Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP2); the 2003 White Paper on Renewable Energy; the National Energy Act (2008); the Long Term Mitigation Scenarios (LTMS); and the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme (2011).

Duties and Responsibilities

In approximately 35 weeks of total work throughout the duration of the PPG process(various tasks are expected to be done concurrently), the overall purpose of the consultancy is the preparation of a UNDP/GEF compliant full sized project. The Expert(s) is expected to: Work in a team spirit under the leadership of the Lead Consultant as regards completion of all deliverables listed under Components A, B and C;  Collect all baseline data and information on the Integration of the project with relevant development plans, policies, budgets and complementary projects;  Undertake regular meetings and coordinate his/her work with the UNDP/GEF Regional Service Center and the UNDP South Africa Country Office, as well as representatives from the Department of Energy;  Meet with relevant stakeholders, which will include Government, private sector, multilateral development banks, UN organizations, non-governmental organizations, local communities, and others;  Together with the Department of Energy and UNDP, organize and facilitate a PPG inception workshop with all relevant stakeholders (to build partnerships and collaboration and raise awareness for the preparation of the project) and a validation workshop to present, discuss and validate the final draft project document;  Assist in preparing the final draft of the FSP and Request for CEO Endorsement by June 2014.

Competencies

Core expertise in the area of on-shore wind energy, with particular competencies in baseline data collection and familiarity with the Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Program;  Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in order to communicate complex, technical information to technical and general audiences; Demonstrated track record of drafting relevant materials in the mentioned areas (publications, project proposals, reports); Ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative research and analysis; Knowledge of wind energy industry stakeholders and investors in South Africa.

Required Skills and Experience

Education; Minimum Masters degree in Engineering, Law, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, or Management.  Experience: At least 5 years experience designing and/or implementing renewable energy or climate change mitigation project interventions; Experience with GEF project development is an asset; Proven and extensive experience in project formulation and capacity building. Ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative research and analysis; Proven experience conducting field assessments and stakeholder consultations. Language: Fluency in spoken and written English.

http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=40244