Location : Home-based, with possible travel to Botswana
Application Deadline : 13-Feb-13
Additional Category Millennium Development Goals
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : International Consultant
Languages Required :
English
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 18-Feb-2013
Duration of Initial Contract : 80 Days over a period of 3 months
Expected Duration of Assignment : 80 Days
Background
In sub-Saharan Africa, 80% of the population cooks with solid fuels namely wood, charcoal, and coal. These solid fuel sources are used by persons living in urban and rural areas in Africa. The widespread use of wood and charcoal in Africa is a result of many factors including easy availability, cheap to access, tradition, limited access to reliable alternative energy sources, loose regulations and transportability.
The widespread use of wood and charcoal on the African continent has several positive and negative effects. Charcoal and wood use as sources of energy acts as a primary driver of deforestation in rural areas in many countries. When charcoal production contributes to long-term deforestation, it is typically the result of post-harvest management decisions. In most parts of Africa, wood collection is usually done by women and children thus encouraging the perpetuation of exploitative gender roles. More potent negatively, is the fact that wood, charcoal and coal use for cooking and heating causes high levels of indoor air pollution which is detrimental to human health, especially causing pneumonia and other child related deaths.
On a positive note, wood is locally accessible even in the poorest nations and communities and its widespread use for heating and cooking provides employment to many people. Many people perform various tasks in order to have charcoal on the urban market. Much of the work is menial and labor intensive thus boosting rural employment. Charcoal and wood trade in urban areas provides income for many households. A One recent study by the World Bank estimated that at present, the contribution of Tanzania’s charcoal sector to employment, rural livelihoods, and the wider economy is estimated to be in the region of US$650 million per year, providing income to several hundred thousand people in both urban and rural areas.
Charcoal is a primary source of energy in Africa. Over 20 million tons of charcoal is consumed per year in Africa. The amount of charcoal consumed in Africa is expected to significantly increase in both absolute and relative terms in the near and medium term future due to three main factors: (a) rapid population growth; (b) continued urbanization; and (c) relative price increases of fossil fuel-based alternative energy sources. It is estimated that over 29 million tonnes of charcoal is consumed annually in Sub Saharan Africa, and this is expected to reach 46 million tonnes by 2030. These trends will apply particularly to Africa’s urban centers. Due to income constraints, switching to alternative fuels will only be an option for better-off households, but even among those economic groups, socio-cultural aspects will still result in the consumption of charcoal. This means the demand for charcoal will remain quite high and may even increase in many African countries in the future.
Since charcoal will play an important role in the future energy mix of many African countries, innovation capacities are required in charcoal making thus modernizing the industry and making it more efficient and less wasteful. Charcoal production in many parts of Africa has remained quite traditional. The traditional processes of wood conversion to charcoal are less efficient and degrading to the land. Using the traditional methods of charcoal production, at most around 35% of the wood carbon is fixed in charcoal. The other 65% of wood carbon is released into the atmosphere as smoke and non-condensable gases.
UNDP, NEPAD, AUC, and AfDB are collaborating to develop an African institutional framework to harmonize the energy policy and programme frameworks at the continental (AU), regional (RECs) and country level in support of the achievement of the UN Secretary General’s initiative on Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL). In this context a series of expert meetings were held in 2012 to advance its national, regional and continental programmes and supporting policies to achieve SE4ALL objectives in Africa.
At the NEPAD-UNDP experts meeting held in Nairobi, September 19 – 21, 2012, attended by AUC, AfDB, UNIDO, RECs, representative member states, donor partners, academia and civil society, the following recommendation was made on Sustainable Charcoal:
Given the importance of biomass, including charcoal and wood, which accounts for over 80% of the primary energy use in Africa and whose consumption is growing, AUC, NPCA and UNDP should support sustainable charcoal production and use within the context of the SE4ALL initiative, through the development of an African Sustainable Charcoal Framework, with particular linkages to the work being undertaken;
at the continental level on the bioenergy policy framework; ii) at the regional level on the bioenergy fund and facility (through pilot initiatives); and
in the development of country SE4ALL Action Plans.
A draft working document on Sustainable Charcoal was reviewed by participants at an expert meeting in December 2012. The final African Sustainable Charcoal Framework will be submitted to the AU Summit for adoption in May 2013.
Duties and Responsibilities
Objectives:
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support towards the development of the African Sustainable Charcoal Framework.
Deliverables:
The consultancy will be implemented by a team of 3 consultants, one of them acting as lead consultant. In order to achieve the above objective, the team of consultants will perform the following main tasks:
Lead consultant: align the draft working document on Sustainable Charcoal to the SE4ALL objectives in Africa and to the Africa Bioenergy Policy Framework and Guidelines; prepare a detailed Table of Contents for the African Sustainable Charcoal Framework.
Document case studies from Africa on policy interventions along the charcoal value chain.
Prepare the draft African Sustainable Charcoal Framework.
Prepare a synthesis/summary report for policy makers.
Participate in an experts validation meeting in Gaborone, Botswana in April 2013, and in particular: prepare and make a presentation of the draft African Sustainable Charcoal Framework; collate comments and feedback received from participants on the revision of the draft African Sustainable Charcoal Framework.
Finalise the African Sustainable Charcoal Framework and in particular: incorporate all recommendations received from the experts validation meeting; alignment with the other SE4ALL products (namely the Africa Bottom Up Strategy, and the SE4ALL Action Plan Guidelines) being developed for endorsement at the May AUC summit.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values (especially the approach that UNDP takes towards, gender, trade and human development);
Practices adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies:
Good knowledge, understanding, and some experience of international trade, entrepreneurship especially from the perspective of economics of gender (being able to look at the relevant issues from a strong gender lens);
Excellent facilitation, training, and analytical skills are required. Excellent skills in coordination, reporting and extracting necessary and relevant information are a must.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Masters degree in (renewable) energy, natural resources management/economics, environmental economics, environmental management or a closely ecology related field.
Experience:Technical knowledge of energy issues in Africa, and particularly on issues related to biomass and charcoal production and utilization.
At least 10 years of progressive experience in the energy sector, policy-formulation, strategy development and in the generation of other related tools.
Proven record in the writing of research papers, reports and publications on energy and biomass issues pertaining to Africa.
Experience in the preparation of reports for the AUC, AfDB, and UNDP an added advantage.
Excellent quantitative and qualitative research, communication, networking, influencing and facilitation skills.
Experience of working with government agencies, regional organisations, NGOs, civil society, communities and other stake-holders.
Previous work experience in sub-Saharan Africa.
Computer literate in standard software applications.
Regional experience:
The consultants should indicate their expertise in energy and biomass issues pertaining to the following regions in Africa:
North Africa
West and Central Africa
East and Southern Africa
Language Requirements:
Proficiency in English required.
Qualified women are encouraged to apply for the position.
Interested candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications
Technical Proposal explaining why they are the most suitable person for this consultancy.
Financial Proposal providing breakdown of their charges including travel, living and professional fees.
Professional CV detailing past experience in similar projects and at least three contactable referees.
Travel:
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal: In general, UNDP does not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and consultant, prior to travel.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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