Consultant: International Programme Development and Rural Development Expert

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.  

UNDP Afghanistan Mission Statement:  

UNDP Afghanistan is supporting the Government to find innovative solutions to its development challenges based on the on-going Country Programme Document approved by the Executive Board for the period 2006 – 2009.  A new Country Programme Document was approved by the Executive Board during September 2009 for the period 2010-2013. Key priority areas for UNDP assistance are in strengthening democratic governance, crisis prevention and recovery, and reducing poverty. UNDP is strengthening the institutional capacities of key national government and sub-national authorities which aim to enhance human security, human development, peace and stability in Afghanistan.  

Organizational Context:  

Reliable and affordable energy is a vital input to poverty reduction and sustainable development especially with its significance in improved agricultural productivity, post-harvest processes, small and medium enterprises, local entrepreneurship, improved basic services (health, education) and effective governance. Given that over 75% of the population in Afghanistan is estimated to be rural, the provision of energy services in rural areas will play a critical role in meeting goals and objectives of Afghanistan National Development Strategy which serves as Afghanistan’s MDG based PRSP.  

It is estimated that only around 25% of the population in the country - mainly residing in urban areas which encompass approx 15% of the total rural population has access to electricity. Lack of access to reliable and affordable energy is an important barrier to socio-economic development in rural Afghanistan where the bulk of population lives with 36% in extreme poverty.  

In the context of Afghanistan in many rural areas the conventional method for supplying electricity, by linking to the national or regional electricity grid, is not feasible economically and logistically at least in the foreseeable future.  

Afghanistan has significant potential for renewable energy that could meet the needs of the scattered rural population – providing energy for livelihoods, education, reduction of  household burden for women as well as women empowerment through involvement in income generating activities, improved indoor health standards and contribute to overall environmental protection.  

Energy is a key sector in Afghanistan National Development Strategy (2008-2013) under pillar three (Social and Economic Development, Infrastructure and Natural Resources component). Other sectors under this pillar (e.g.  Education, health and nutrition, agriculture and rural development, private sector and trade development) are separate yet dependent on energy services.  

ANDS envisions the energy sector as a driver of economic growth. The strategic objective for the energy sector strategy is ” the provision of reliable, affordable energy rooted in market-based private sector investment and public sector oversight” by  investing in Afghanistan’s own sources of energy.  

ANDS primarily focuses on expansion of national grid, increased population access to electricity including availability of power for productive uses, provision of enabling environment for private investment in the sector and strengthening the institutional capacity. Furthermore the Energy Sector strategy sets “improved rural energy access “as one of its overall strategic goals.  

A number of bilateral and multilateral donors and development partners including UNDP currently finance and implement projects in different parts of Afghanistan.  For instance National Solidarity Programme (NSP) of MRRD,   Afghanistan Clean Energy Programme (ACEP) a USAID funded programme, and NABDP-ERDA funded and supported by UNDP. 

In addition the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Indian Government are focusing on large scale grid projects (grid extension and transition). Meanwhile various national and international NGOs including bilateral agencies such as GTZ, KFW, AKF either fund or serve as facilitating partners (FPs) for implementation of rural energy projects. The main focus of the current projects is on household lighting where limited attention is paid to productive use as well as a longer term sustainability of these programmes/projects.  

 In an effort to ensure national ownership and that GoA leads development process in the country.  A number of national bankable programmes covering key sectors including rural energy were presented to international community at historic Kabul Conference (20th July 2010).  Following the endorsement of national bankable programmes by the international community and the GoA, ANDS has undergone prioritization to reflect national bankable programmes as an effective vehicle for realizing strategic objectives (outcomes and targets) stipulated in the mentioned strategy.    

Based on the above and the much need streamlined rural energy services responsiveness to country priorities particularly poverty reduction, NRM, environmental protection and attainment of MDGs, the GoA lead institutions namely MRRD and MEW with support of UNDP are aiming to develop and implement an integrated and comprehensive National Rural Energy Access  Programme.  

DURATOIN AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE ASSIGNMENT 

The duration of the assignment shall be three months, starting upon arrival of the team in Kabul.  

COMPOSITION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTORS 

Composition  

 The team will comprise of:  

1.     Senior Intl Rural /Renewable  Energy Expert (Team Leader); 

2.     Intl Energy Programme Development and Rural Development Expert (team member ); 

3.     National Rural Development/Energy Expert (team member ).  

Objectives of the assignment:  

The Incumbent will work within a team of three experts (including one senior international energy expert and one national energy expert) to deliver on the following main objectives: 

• To design and formulate a comprehensive overarching national rural energy access programme; 
• To conduct a feasibility study for establishment of Independent Rural Energy Authority equivalent to Da Afghanistan Brishna Shirkat (DABS – a State Owned Enterprise serving as utility for managing consumption, power distribution and maintenance);  
• To compile and consolidate data on demand and supply potential (in short and long term) focusing on energy resources such as hydropower, wind, solar and biomass.   

Scope of the assignment:  

The formulation of National Rural Energy Access Programme will be undertaken by a team of international and national experts.  

The work will include but not be limited to off and onsite work comprising of desk review (literature studies and reviews), field visits and validating the proposed programme approach/concept through a national consultation process, supplier and beneficiaries reviews and interviews.  

In carrying out the mission, the incumbent will support the team to ensure full coordination and consultation with UNAMA, other UNDP projects, MRRD, MEW and other key stakeholders.  

The incumbent together with the team will submit a comprehensive mission plan specifying the individual activities, responsible team members and the timeline for endorsement by UNDP and MRRD within two days of the start of the mission.  

Main deliverables of the assignment:  

1.     Development of a comprehensive, integrated National Rural Energy Access Programme to serve as umbrella for  rural energy activities. 

2.     Development of the National Rural Energy Access Programme manual.  

In addition, the incumbent will also support the team to deliver the following:  

3.     A comprehensive report produced recommending ways for enhancing coordination and collaboration among development partners and IPs in the rural energy sector including   streamlined management of rural energy activities and establishment of independent rural energy authority.  

4.     A consolidated technical report produced detailing the current rural energy resources (short and long term demand and supply potential).  

Functions and Responsibilities:  

• To conduct a desk review of existing legal framework (laws, rules and regulations), policies, strategies including ANDS, Rural Energy policy and sectoral strategies;
• To conduct a national consultation process to identify level of demand for rural energy services, trends, potentials (strengths and weaknesses), risks and recommendations of local communities as the main recipients of the services;
• To review the institutional capacity, mandates, policies and strategies of MRRD, and MEW with view of identifying synergies and joint rural energy initiatives design, implementation, monitoring and oversight; 
• To identify and recommend feasible income generating activities through productive use of rural energy services; 
• At the conclusion of all of the above design a comprehensive rural energy programme to server as umbrella responding to national priorities stipulated in ANDS prioritization, Kabul conference Communiqué, energy sector strategy and rural energy policy; 
• To produce a programme manual that forms the basis for operationalization of the National Rural Energy Access Programme; 
• Any activities related to the mission as assigned by the Sr. Rural/Renewable Energy Expert;   

In addition to the above activities, the incumbent will support the team to:  

• To review the existing policy and strategy formulation and planning process for the energy sector focusing on rural energy; 
• To conduct a comprehensive review of the ICE, its sub-committee ,the Technical Working Group and other coordination mechanisms with the view to  identify  their inefficiencies and strengths; 
• To conduct a comprehensive review of other government institutions e.g. the  specialized parliamentary committees, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Mines,  Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Irrigation and other line ministries  to identify their respective role in the energy sector particularly the rural energy sub-sector; 
• To review the existing rural energy initiatives/ projects being implemented and pipeline projects  by various development partners aiming to identify the window for creation of synergies, unified management, reporting and accountability systems through a formal mechanism; 
• To meet with concerned national and international stakeholders including bilateral and multilateral donors and agencies, NGOS and INGOs , civil society or focus groups to obtain and create a consensus on the establishment of a national rural energy programme; 
• To conduct a feasibility study for establishment of independent Rural Energy Authority for Afghanistan; 
• To collect and compile data on rural energy resources, the short and long term demand and supply potential using existing data, remote sensing ,satellite imaging and other resource mapping tools or methods.  
• To obtain endorsement of the concerned government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors and agencies and other key stakeholders (national and international); 
• To support resource mobilization for establishment of National Rural Energy Access Programme. 

Reporting:  

Competencies:  

Corporate Competencies:  

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation (UNDP core ethics) impartiality; 
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.  

Functional Competencies:  

Management and Leadership

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; 
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills; 
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities. 

Education:  

• Candidate should have an advanced university degree, preferably Master, in rural development, social sciences, MBA or a similar discipline.  

Experience:  

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive work experience in the relevant field;
• Excellent knowledge of rural development process and concepts 2) community based development interventions including role of local governance structures; 
• Proven experience in national programme formulation and, impact assessment or evaluation of rural energy projects is necessary; 
• Prior professional work experience in post conflict context or in the region will be an advantage. Understanding of the rural development context and its implications on national development process particularly in relation to energy sector is desirable; 
• Excellent writing, articulating and communication skills are a must; 
• Preference will be given to those with the experience of working with UNDP, World Bank and ADB, particularly in the areas of national programmes design and formulation focused on rural development and programme document development.  

Language Requirements: 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.