JOB DESCRIPTION

Result of Service

This consultancy aims to contribute to the implementation of the GCF Readiness project “Advancing a Regional Approach to the Green Hydrogen Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean” for Trinidad and Tobago, by strengthening the interinstitutional working group in the country to foster enabling conditions for a robust ecosystem of green hydrogen in the country. Output 1. Relevant country stakeholders have established adequate capacity, systems and networks to collaborate in the planning, programming and implementation of GCF-funded activities (outcome 1.3). The consultant will contribute to the interinstitutional coordination in Trinidad and Tobago, by providing technical input to the discussions taken in the working group meetings led by the MEEI. Additionally, the consultant will provide guidance the country on including a regional approach to the working group, by identifying needs from Trinidad and Tobago, opportunities of collaboration with other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and lessons learned from these countries. Finally, the consultant is expected to prepare any support documentation needed for the successful delivery of the meetings and be in constant communication with the leading entities of the government. Activity 1.1 (1.3.A.1). Strengthen national inter-institutional working groups on the hydrogen economy in the country. All activities will be delivered in agreement with the national counterpart. Activity 1.1.1. Plan and bolster the delivery of the required meetings (virtual or in person) to strengthen the inter-institutional working group through knowledge exchange activities with other countries of the project and providing technical input for the discussions held in the meetings. This includes developing and sharing comprehensive materials and information to ensure all participants strengthen their capacities in the knowledge exchange activities. Activity 1.2 (1.3.A.2). Conduct stakeholder engagement activities in the country to develop a strategic action plan for the national inter-institutional working group. Activity 1.2.1. Conduct a technical analysis of Trinidad and Tobago’s needs to advance the green hydrogen economy. This analysis should include (i) the identification of the key technical, regulatory, and financial barriers currently hindering progress; (ii) the definition of specific and measurable goals consistent with The Roadmap for a Green Hydrogen Economy in Trinidad and Tobago, and (iii) the development of practical recommendations to operationalize the action lines set out in the roadmap. Activity 1.2.2. Plan and deliver three (3) meetings for the development of a strategic action plan for green hydrogen by preparing the necessary support documents and engaging with all relevant actors. Activity 1.2.3. Prepare a strategic action plan for green hydrogen aligned with specific and measurable goals consistent with The Roadmap for a Green Hydrogen Economy in Trinidad and Tobago. The activities must include responsible institutions, indicative timelines, and Key Performance Indicators. This strategic action plan should complete or integrate the implementation plan being developed by National Energy, Executing Agency of Horizon 1 of the roadmap on behalf of the MEEI. Output 2. Develop or enhance strategic frameworks to address policy gaps, improve sectoral expertise, and enhance enabling environments (Outcome 2.2). Activity 2.1. Facilitate the delivery of a proposed adoption path of the regional certification scheme to be developed by the project, providing technical input and promoting government participation. Output 3. An increase in the number of quality project concept notes developed and submitted (Outcome 4.1). Activity 3.1. Aid the development of the concept note to be developed by the project based on the results of the prefeasibility study delivered by the consultancy firm, including the engagement with key private stakeholders and financial institutions. Output 4. Best practices with respect to institutional capacity building and coordination, direct access, and pipeline development are developed and disseminated to strengthen engagement by NDAs, DAEs, and delivery partners with the GCF (Outcome 5.1.) Activity 4.1. Facilitate the delivery of the training courses to be developed by the project, promoting the participation of the most relevant stakeholders, including indigenous people, gender and vulnerable groups. Activity 4.2. Promote the development of the communication campaign to be developed by the project, providing technical input to the relevant topics and the key messages. Deliverable Product No. 1: A report of two (2) meetings held with relevant actors in the country to strengthen the inter-institutional working group by providing technical documents and organizing knowledge exchange events with other countries. The report must include the objectives, attendees” information (separated by gender and affiliation), presentations made, the collaborations planned and agreed with representatives of other countries, and agreements reached. The consultant will be responsible for organizing the meetings, creating their content and coordinating with the project manager to carry out the required procurement processes (Activity 1.1.1). Product No. 2: A report with a technical analysis of Trinidad and Tobago’s needs to advance the green hydrogen economy, including the identification of barriers hindering progress, the definition of goals aligned with the national roadmap, and the recommendations for including the operationalization of the action lines outlined in this policy instrument. The report must include a description of the three (3) meetings held with the national inter-institutional working group and other key stakeholders to develop a strategic action plan for green hydrogen, including commitments, agreements and materials (documents, presentations, etc.) (Activities 1.2.1 and 1.2.2). Product No. 3: A strategic action plan for the national inter-institutional working group, including (i) short, medium and long-term activities, (ii) recommendations about the gender, indigenous and vulnerable groups approach, and (iii) the regional coordination strategy (Activity 1.2.3). Product No. 4: A technical report on the impact of the GCF Readiness project on the development of the green hydrogen economy in Trinidad and Tobago, emphasizing the facilitation provided by the project in the following: (1) the development by the project”s implementing partner of a roadmap for the adoption of the regional certification scheme; (2) the training courses provided by the project for capacity building; (3) the communication campaign developed by the communications agency FACTSTORY; (4) the pre-feasibility study of the green hydrogen project developed by a consulting firm. The report should consider whether the expected results of the project were achieved and identify the challenges and obstacles that prevented their achievement (Activities 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 4.2). Specific tasks and responsibilities Under the direct supervision of UNEP’s Programme Management Officer for Energy Efficiency of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office, the consultant shall perform the following activities:

• Conduct interviews or generate the necessary information for the strengthening of the inter-institutional working group.
• Create, promote and maintain relationships with the national public, private and civil society actors for their involvement in the project. Actively seek feedback from all sectors on the proposals to be created.
• Organise the logistics and content of the meetings, with special attention to the appropriate involvement of all participants, considering the final objective of strengthening the inter-institutional working group and developing the strategic action plan.
• Attend to the needs of the national authorities and provide technical advice when required, ensuring their active involvement in the products delivered in the consultancy.
• Attend meetings, calls, and guidelines provided by the Project Manager, the National Designated Authority (NDA) to the GCF, the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries of Trinidad and Tobago, and the project”s regional coordination team.
• Attend and collaborate with the coordination process for the strengthening of civil society and private sector initiatives.
• Encourage the participation and exchange of experiences and knowledge of government authorities, civil society and the private sector, promoting leadership on issues in which they have progress.
• Conduct a technical analysis of Trinidad and Tobago’s needs to advance the green hydrogen economy, including the identification of barriers hindering progress, the definition of goals aligned with the national roadmap, and the recommendations for including the operationalization of the action lines outlined in this policy instrument.
• Develop and provide comprehensive materials and information to ensure all stakeholders understand the strategic action plan for the working group responsible of promoting the green hydrogen industry.
• Conduct an impact assessment of the GCF Readiness Project in the achievement of the following outputs related to the green hydrogen economy in the country: (1) adoption of the regional certification scheme; (2) development of the prefeasibility study for a green hydrogen project; (3) capacity building, and (4) communication campaign.

Work Location

HOME-BASED

Expected duration

6 MONTHS

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region, and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The green hydrogen generation technical potential in Latin America and the Caribbean is significant, estimated at 1,114 EJ of green hydrogen produced at a cost under USD 1.5/kg by 2050. Therefore, green hydrogen can be produced using the clean and renewable energy sources available in the region. Beyond the potential for its production, using hydrogen as an energy source can also result in a myriad of benefits for the region. In Trinidad and Tobago, for example, the industrial sector is the highest consumer of fossil fuels, accounting for approximately 50% of the total, and the petrochemical sector being the highest emitter of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the country. Green hydrogen is an energy carrier that can be used to decarbonize this sector, considering that it can be used in oil refining, ammonia synthesis, and methanol production. The project “Advancing a Regional Approach to the Green Hydrogen Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean” aims to create the right conditions to promote the hydrogen economy through the exchange of experiences at a regional level, ending with the preparation of i) national strategic planning and ii) funding proposals that could be submitted to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and other international financial sources. This project is being implemented in 7 countries in parallel. In this sense, it is required to hire a Hydrogen Specialist consultant for Trinidad and Tobago to develop the results, as explained below. This position is home-based. The consultant will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development (MPEAD) and the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) of Trinidad and Tobago. The consultant will be supervised by the UNEP Programme Management Officer for Energy Efficiency for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC: ● Bachelor”s degree in engineering, public policy, economics, energy, transport, urban planning, or a closely related field is required. ● Master”s degree in a relevant field in engineering, energy, transport, public policy or a closely related field is desirable. PROFESSIONAL: ● Five (5) years of relevant work experience related to energy, transport, climate change, environmental policy and/or infrastructure projects or policies is required. ● Experience in working and collaborating as an international consultant in energy, hydrogen or transport sectors is desirable. ● Work experience in Trinidad and Tobago is desirable. LANGUAGE: ● Fluency in English is required. ● Fluency in Spanish is desirable. SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards.
• Mature judgment and initiative.
• Absolute commitment to confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure; take the initiative to judge priorities and organize work accordingly.
• Intermediate knowledge and ability to use the set of standard applications (MS Office) is desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and highly developed cultural sensitivity to communicate with all levels of staff and external clients, both orally and in writing.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to perform multiple tasks and attention to detail, initiative and independence.
• Ability to innovate, combining methodological approaches and data from various levels and disciplines including economics, finance, development, and mitigation. COMPETENCIES: PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations. TEAMWORK: ● Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others” ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: ● Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Languages

Not available.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.