Date: National Project Coordinator EELA Kenya
โRequisition ID: 5163
Grade: SB5 - Local Professional (Mid-Level & Senior)
Country: Kenya
Duty Station: Nairobi
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 1 year
Application deadline: 25-Mar-2025, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)
Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDOโs mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to โBuild resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovationโ. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organizationโs programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.
Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDOโs four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.
The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS) under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, headed by a Managing Director, oversees the Organization's development of capacities for industrial development as well as industrial policy advice, statistics and research activities and the Organization's normative contribution to Member States and global development community in achieving the SDGs. The Directorate also ensures the application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to Environment, Energy, SMEs, Competitiveness and Job creation, as well as Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute toward effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results and on realizing any potential for scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.
The Directorate houses the technical Divisions of Capacity Development, Industrial Policy Advice and Statistics (TCS/CPS); Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP); Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE); SMEs, Competitiveness and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and AI Strategies (TCS/DAS). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET).
The Division of Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA) under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA) assists Member States in the transition to low-carbon and climate resilient economies through the promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency solutions and breakthrough technologies in industry and other key sectors, diversifying supply chains for renewable energy manufacturing and stimulating innovation to address critical climate and energy related challenges.
The Division assists governments in fulfilling national commitments under the Paris Agreement and progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, thereby facilitating a just transition towards sustainable industrialization. In transitioning to a low-carbon and climate resilient economies, the challenges of addressing energy poverty and climate change are an integral part of the Division's activities, as is the dissemination of policies, knowledge and technologies and pathways to plan, manage and finance the energy transitions and climate action for industrial transformation. It collaborates closely on converging issues with IET/CTP and TCS/CMP.
The position is located under the Sustainable and Just Energy Transitions Unit (TCS/ECA/JET) focuses on promoting energy for development and leveraging technology innovation and social inclusion to lead a just energy transition. It promotes the modernization of energy infrastructure to drive decoupling growth from emissions and deploys de-risking approaches to channel public and private investments to accelerate energy access and industrial development. It supports Members States in building and diversifying renewable energy supply chains and fostering manufacturing capabilities to achieve a just energy transition for all. The unit also supports the integration of energy system design into the wider development objectives and helps countries navigate the trade-offs for energy development while ensure compliance with social and environmental norms. Finally, the Unit coordinates the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres and related partnerships and uses regional policies and approaches to achieve economies of scale.
PROJECT CONTEXT
The Energy Efficient for Sustainable Livelihood in Africa (EELA) โ Kenya country window aims to stimulate inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the through an integrated Energy Efficiency (EE) project targeting the accelerated uptake of EE lighting and appliances linked to the regional EE Lighting and Appliances Project in East and Southern Africa (EELA), enhanced investments in the Low-carbon Transformation of the Industrial Sector and skills development for repair, maintenance, and end-of-life treatment of EE equipment. The project directly contributes to the implementation of the Kenya National EE and Conversation Strategy (NEECS) 2020. As Kenya pursues universal energy access and transitions to 100% renewable energy by 2030, incorporating EE initiatives is critical to achieving these goals. EE emerges as a cost-effective solution to curbing demand growth, improving electricity access rates, and enhancing affordability, particularly in the industrial and residential sectors, which account for the largest portion of energy usage in Kenya. The project also addresses challenges related to increasing electricity demand, escalating fossil fuel and appliance life cycles, and environmental degradation caused by inefficient energy practices.
The project aims to achieve the following main outcomes:
- Outcome 1: The uptake of EE Appliances in Kenya has increased through national policy and capacity building interventions as well as private sector development, linked to the regional EELA Project.
- Outcome 2: A Private Sector Industry Clean Tech Platform (ICTP) is set up to accelerate investments in the low-carbon transformation of the industrial sector piloted in the tea industry.
- Outcome 3: Skills for repair, maintenance, and end-of-life treatment of energy-efficient equipment are enhanced in Kenya with a special focus on off-grid equipment such as solar home systems, off-grid refrigerators, and off-grid PUE systems.
- Outcome 4: Awareness raising and communication.
EELA Kenya country window project aligns with country priorities and aims to stimulate economic development, create job opportunities, reduce poverty, improve health outcomes, promote gender equality, mitigate climate change, and enhance biodiversity conservation. Through its holistic approach to EE, the project seeks to foster inclusive sustainable development and contribute to Kenya's vision of becoming an industrialized and middle-income country by 2030.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field location, the expert will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties:
MAIN DUTIES
Concrete/measurable
Outputs to be achieved
Location
Project Coordination and Implementation
Advise the Project Manager in preparing detailed work plan and budget, design monitoring and evaluation tool for the project activities;
Coordinate the execution of all activities leading to the successful implementation of the project in the country, including implementation, quality control and monitoring of all project activities in the country;
Liaise with government counterparts, provide regular updates, financial reports and troubleshot problems as required;
Attend key meetings related to the project and act as the focal point of the project at national level;
Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects for the country, sub regional aspects, resources and development towards maximizing project performance level;
Coordinate the preparation of ToRs for recruitment of national project consultants and contractors;
Supervise the work of the local project team assigned to work on the project and/or to perform ad-hoc activities;
Coordinate the preparation of technical requirements/technical specifications for procurement, including designing of technical requirements, elaboration of relevant questions from tenders, evaluations, etc. ensuring compliance with the relevant UNIDO administrative rules and policies;
Take project initiatives to enhance the success of the programme including partnerships opportunities with private sectors;
Maintain close links with other private sector development initiatives to ensure a consistent and integrated approach.
Preparation/plan for the implementation of the project prepared in timely manner and approved by the PM.
Project activities, implemented in close collaboration with national counterparts at a high standard and with results- based approach.
Effective liaison with government counterpart established.
National experts guided and empowered so as to produce high quality project outputs and deliverables.
Procurement approaches streamlined and according to UNIDO rules and regulations; Tender documents are of high quality and prepared in a timely manner.
Effective partnership maintained.
Nairobi, Kenya
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
Provide inputs for strategic advice in the elaboration of the operational planning and monitoring system for the project;
Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation for the activities of the project using appropriate tools with output verifiable indicators;
Execute the administrative and financial monitoring of the project and its activities;
Coordinate the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting for the programme according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements;
Coordinate the preparation of a final report at the end of the contract comprising all relevant information compiled from the interim reports, conclusions and recommendations;
Lead the coordination and preparation of steering committee meetings (SCs), including preparing ToRs.
Project monitoring framework drafted. Project log frame revised. Project reporting templates drawn up.
Reports are prepared and submitted as agreed and planned.
Final report prepared and submitted to the PM.
ToRs prepared, the SCs meetings run smoothly.
Meeting minutes template filled in and sent to PMs
following every meeting
(including phone calls
or web based)
Effective liaison with government counterpart established.
Nairobi, Kenya
External Relations
Maintain networks and partnerships with national institutions, private sector, UN project partners;
Coordinate the dissemination of project knowledge to the wider public by proposing examples of best practices and success stories, as well as replicable strategies and approaches.
Partnerships with project partners strengthened.
Communications strategy completed and success stories and lessons learned, disseminated through identified appropriate media.
Nairobi, Kenya
Final phase
Prepare a consolidated final report of the programme/project in close consultation with all the stakeholders and submit to UNIDO by the end of the programme/project.
Final report produced.
Nairobi, Kenya
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university degree (masterโs or equivalent) in engineering, sustainable energy and energy efficiency, environment, business administration, or other relevant discipline is required.
Technical and Functional Experience:
- At least five (5) years of professional experience in coordinating the implementation of development/technical cooperation programmes/projects at national level is required.
- Demonstrated expertise in energy efficiency (EE) projects, including designing, implementing, or managing EE initiatives in the industrial sector is required.
- Experience in evaluating the needs conditions and problems of the country or similar country in the region is required.
- Proven track record of engaging with government agencies, private sector entities, and international organizations to coordinate multi-stakeholder projects is required.
- Experience/knowledge of other development agencies donor communities, private sectors, government and relevant institutions in the country, or similar country in the region is desirable.
- Familiarity with clean technology platforms or private sector-led energy initiatives is desirable.
- Practical experience in implementing e-waste management strategies or policies is