Vacancy for the Position of Senior Technical Advisor GEF/UNEP SKN-100 Project

Post Title	SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISOR, GEF/UNEP SKN-100 PROJECT
Reports to	Head of Partnerships and Programmes	Direct Reports	—
Duty Station	St. Kitts and Nevis	Travel Required	Yes
Position Type	Full-time,	Position Grade	—
Open	11 November 2024	Closes	6 December 2024

 

A. PURPOSE

 

The Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (“CCREEE”) has been contracted by the United Nations Environment Programme (“UNEP”) as the Executing Agency for the Project: Achieving a Rapid Decarbonization of the Energy Sector in Saint Kitts and Nevis, which is financed by a Global Environment Facility (“GEF”) grant, commonly referred to as the “GEF/UNEP SKN-100 Project”. The Project is being implemented in St. Kitts and Nevis, from 15 June 2023 to 14 June 2027.

The main task of the Senior Technical Advisor is to provide supervision and operational oversight for all technical aspects of the Project, to include project management.

The Senior Technical Advisor will have responsibility for, inter alia, the preparation of Terms of References (“TORs”) and supervising technical contracts for the Project. The Senior Technical Advisor will also serve as the CCREEE Site Manager for the implementation of Integrated Utility Services (“IUS”) sub-projects in St. Kitts and in Nevis.

Specifically, also, the Senior Technical Advisor will support the Knowledge Management Expert with, inter alia, the collection and management of data and statistics; the sharing and exchange of information and knowledge; the design and development of products and services; and the implementation of an effective framework for reporting and disseminating lessons and outputs from the Project.

The position is deemed to be effective, efficient, and relevant when:

• There is adherence to the administrative and procurement policies and procedures established by the CCREEE.
• The project outputs are delivered in accordance with the approved budgets, schedules, and quality-specifications.

B. ACCOUNTABILITIES

 

• • Work closely with the Head of Partnerships and Programmes to ensure that implementation is carried out according to the project design and that the outputs of the specified quality are delivered, and the outcomes are effectively achieved within the budgets and schedules that were approved.
• • Establish effective channels through which regular communication with key stakeholders in government

• ministries and agencies, co-financing partner entities, delegated implementing entities, ad-hoc technical working groups, and all other implementation-support counterparts are managed, and coordination supported.
• • Work closely with the Head of Partnerships and Programmes to organize and facilitate the Meetings of the Project Steering Committee, Technical Advisory Committee, Ad Hoc Technical Working Groups, and any other project meetings.
• • Provide accurate and timely reports to the Head of Partnerships and Programmes, to facilitate dissemination to UNEP; the counterpart ministry, viz. the Ministry of Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment (“the Ministry”); and the Project Steering Committee, as per the requirements of M&E Plan, the Project Cooperation Agreement, and the Memorandum of Understanding.
• • Manage the revision of the Annual Workplan and Budget, and update the Procurement Plan, for the Project, as required.
• • Supervise and guide key experts, consultants, and subcontractors, contracted to the Project.
• • Work closely with the focal point in the Ministry to coordinate on matters related to implementation of the Project to include the securing of inputs that: (a) Monitors the political alignment of the Project with government’s policies and plans; (b) Monitors, also, the technical quality, procurement procedures, and financial management of the Project; and (c) Supports action toward the identification, as well as the removal or circumvention, of country specific barriers, to improve the effectiveness of implementation.
• • Work closely with the focal point in the Ministry to also: (a) Secure the support from relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government on pertinent actions; and (b) Secure the requisite permits and approvals from the competent authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis for the entry of personnel, equipment, goods, and items, that are related to the effective implementation of the Project.
• • Work closely, also, with the Energy Unit in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, and Domestic Transport, to coordinate on matters related to implementation of the Project.
• • Coordinate with and manage the progress of implementing partners working on the Project.
• • Provide oversight on the subcontracts of the St. Kitts Electricity Company Limited (“SKELEC”) and Nevis Electricity Company Limited (“NEVLEC”) ensuring, inter alia, that the approved technical quality, procurement procedures, and financial management of the IUS sub-projects are adhered to.
• • Identify and continuously assess/monitor risks associated with the implementation of the Project and provide continual updates to the Head of Partnerships and Programmes on potential red-flags, with proposals for mitigation and the implementation of countermeasures.
• • Monitor and track the IUS sub-project performance, and document any key experiences and lessons for supporting continuous improvement in the initiative.
• • Monitor and evaluate project achievements against the Results Framework, Core Indicator Worksheet and Gender Action Plan.

C. RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties

• Ensure that lessons learned during Project implementation are adequately and effectively captured.
• Ensure that the indicators included in the Project results framework are monitored annually in advance of the GEF PIR submission deadline so that progress can be reported in the GEF PIR.
• Continually assess implementation progress and provide recommendations for major and minor amendments to the Project within the parameters set by UNEP-GEF.
• Support the Mid-Term Evaluation and Terminal Evaluation processes.
• Review the submissions that are proposed on regulatory reforms for the St. Kitts and Nevis electricity sector.

• Review and provide technical inputs into training materials and events developed for supporting capacity building, under the Project.
• Supervise the preparation of, or prepare, ToRs for Project experts and contractors and recommend their approval to the Head of Partnerships and Programmes.
• Provide site management for IUS sub-projects, focusing on the installation of distributed energy (renewable energy / energy efficiency / energy management) solutions, as well as electric vehicle charging infrastructure, in select public buildings in St. Kitts and in Nevis.
• Work closely with the Knowledge Management Expert to, inter alia, integrate knowledge management into the initiatives and activities supported under the Project.
• Work closely, also, with the Knowledge Management Expert to integrate knowledge management into the monitoring and reporting framework for the Project, to include the identification of opportunities for the generation of Case Studies, etc.
• Contribute to articles, press releases, and other visibility products for the Project.
• Contribute, also, to the exchange of information and sharing of knowledge on the Project, through such actions as the preparation of policy briefs and technical reports, opinion articles in renowned journals and publications, and books, etc.
• Represent the Centre, in general, and the Project, in particular, in key meetings and events at the national, Caribbean regional, or international levels. • Any other responsibilities assigned by the Head of Partnerships and Programmes.

General Responsibilities

Always contribute to a positive and professional image of the CCREEE, in keeping with the Core Values of the Centre. Always contribute, also, to a positive and professional image of the GEF/UNEP SKN-100 Project.

 

D. ROLE REQUIREMENTS

 

Nationality:

St. Kitts and Nevis

Core Values:

1. Integrity

2. Professionalism

3. Respect for diversity

 

Core Competencies:

1. Results orientation	2. Planning & organization	3. Communication
4. Teamwork	5. Client orientation	6. Development & innovation

 

Education & Experience:

• Postgraduate university degree at the Masters’ Level in the field of engineering, natural sciences, energy, renewable energy, or related area.
• At least five (5) years of relevant work experience in project management / site management; experience in dealing with distributed renewable energy, energy efficiency or energy management projects is an asset.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, networking, and technical writing skills, in English; analytical writing and communication skills are highly desirable.
• Proven knowledge of the sustainable energy issues; knowledge of the energy sector and local issues in St. Kitts and Nevis is a requirement.

• Ability to work under pressure and handle politically and culturally sensitive issues; experience in working with multiple and diverse stakeholders – including government ministries and agencies – is a strong added value.
• Proficient use of processing tools (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access), project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Projects), internet, electronic mail, and financial/administrative systems; is desirable.
• Flexibility to adapt to all situations and work varied hours.
• Languages: Proficiency in English.

Minimum experience desired

A minimum of five years previous work experience in one of the following institutions:

• A governmental or private sector organisation
• A regional or international organisation

Other Competencies

• Being proactive with the ability to anticipate, efficiently trouble-shoot and solve problems.
• Ability to continually assess and improve strategies and plans, and to identify, allocate, and manage the resources that are adequate for execution of the same.
• Operate in a very specialized and technical environment in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
• Ability to continuously improve.

E. SALARY & BENEFITS

 

• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and in accordance with the current salary structure of the at the CCREEE.
• Opportunity to engage in a highly specialized working environment – renewable energy and energy efficiency.

F. APPLICATIONS

Interested candidates should submit their applications to recruitment@ccreee.org by 11:59 PM (AST) on 6 December 2024. Applications must include:

1. CV (detailed qualifications and work experience and three references)

2. Motivation letter (maximum one page – 250 words)

3. Scanned copy of passport biodata page

4. Scanned copies of educational certificates

Further information is available at www.ccreee.org. Written requests for clarification should be directed to recruitment@ccreee.org.

Note: Applicants should not contact the CCREEE office or partners by phone.