International Consultant – Biogas Digester Construction(Beira, Mozambique)

CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Issued on: 12 January 2015

ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:

UN-Habitat

FUNCTIONAL TITLE:

International Consultant – Biogas Digester Construction

DURATION:

1 months over 1.5 months

CLOSING DATE:

25 January 2015

Background
Under the framework of the agency's Medium-Term Strategic and Institutional Plan, UN-Habitat has identified entry points that will allow it to help clients and partners cope more effectively with the rapid pace of urbanization and also maximize the benefits that come with it. The overarching goal of the programme is to increase UN-Habitat's capacity to effectively support member states in achieving sustainable urbanization. This programme focuses on the areas of urban planning; urban mobility; urban energy; urban governance and legislation; and urban economy and finance.
The selection of these areas as strategic entry points is based on experiences from UN-Habitat field projects and results from global research on sustainable urban development. Furthermore, the demand for these areas has been identified in several country and city participatory prioritization activities, including Urban Profiles developed through city and national consultations in more than 60 cities in Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Arab states. The same areas have also been prioritized in the Habitat Country Programme Documents, developed jointly by national and local authorities in 32 countries.

It is UN-Habitat’s contention that if the growth of cities is planned at scale, in advance, and in phases to address projected growth over the next 20 to 30 years, fast-growing cities in developing countries will succeed in assuming their role as engines of the national economy – and in the process prevent new slums from being formed. Cities, being home to more than half of the world’s population, consume 60% to 80% of the world’s energy resources and produce 70% of the world’s anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions. Hence, cities must play a major role in improving energy efficiency, using resources more carefully, transforming urban energy systems, enhancing energy security and national prosperity - while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

A good understanding of current and projected energy consumption patterns in urban areas as well as their renewable energy generation potentials will provide useful information for urban energy planning. Planning 'low-carbon' cities implies using renewable energy options, as well as using non-renewable energy more efficiently.

The International Consultant will participate in the UN-Habitat BASF Social Foundation project to build a biogas digester in Beira, Mozambique. The objective of this project is the pilot development of modern, clean, reliable and sustainable energy services to the urban poor. The biodigester will improve the lives of the community by providing them with access to modern energy services and to raise environmental awareness by promoting the use of alternative sources of energy.

Tasks and Responsibilities
The International Consultant will;

• Provide an inception report that will detail the programme and timelines for biogas digester construction;
• Design the biogas digester and submit technical drawings for the facility to UN-Habitat;
• Provide on-site training to local young people on the construction and maintenance of biogas digesters;
• Oversee the procurement of all the construction material after determining the best quality and competitive prices;
• Supervise the construction of the biogas digester;
• Prepare and present regular progress reports to UN-Habitat; and
• Prepare a final report after the commissioning of the biodigester.

Competencies

• Ability to work independently with a high degree of responsibility, in a flexible manner and under pressure.
• Strong writing, inter-personal communication and networking skills, as well as research skills
• Good reporting skills;
• Excellent communication skills and a commitment to team work are primordial to ensure cohesion with other members of the relevant unit(s) of UN-Habitat.

Education

• Advanced university degree, relevant to sustainable urban energy planning, human settlements planning/design and architecture in developing countries. A post graduate university degree in combination with qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree in a related field.

Work Experience

• Excellent knowledge of principles, concepts, policies and strategic orientations of sustainable urban energy and clean energy.
• At least five years of working experience, research and development in the field of biogas digester construction

Language Skills

• Fluency in English (written and oral), and knowledge of any other UN will be an asset.

Other Skills

• Good skills in organisation, co-ordination and the transfer of knowledge are essential

Remuneration
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.

Applications should include:

• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
• Educational Background (incl. dates)
• Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
• Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
• Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
• Expectations regarding remuneration

HOW TO APPLY:

All applications should be submitted via email to:
Ms. Monica Gakindi
UN-Habitat
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: monica.gakindi@unhabitat.org

Fax: + 254 20 7626749
Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the
UN-Habitat e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster
through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org

Deadline for applications: 25 January 2015

UN-Habitat does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org