Green Energy Finance Technical Advisor

USAID’s Palestinian Energy Project - PEP

الوصف الوظيفي

Green Energy Finance Technical Advisor
Palestinian Renewable Energy Project (PREP)

Position Title:Green Energy Finance Technical Advisor
Period of Performance:    on/about July 16, 2017 – on/about June 30, 2018

Level of Effort:Short-Term Technical Assistance (STTA)
Location:Ramallah, West Bank

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND:

The USAID West Bank and Gaza “Palestinian Renewable Energy Project” is designed to support the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) efforts to modernize and diversify the Palestinian electricity sector and to advance the sector to support affordable and sustainable energy independence in the West Bank. The project focuses on improving electricity access and reliability by strategically incorporating renewable energy, which will increase Palestinian control of its electricity supply and improve affordability over time.
This scope of work is mainly focused on clean energy financing, specifically assisting Palestinian financial institutions in creating green energy financing products and solutions in order to advance the local banks green energy financial sector. The Clean Energy Financing Expert will work closely on the formation of the Green Energy Finance Committee or activation of the Green Energy Finance Committee, which will consist of the commercial lenders and relevant focal points in the financial sector as well as related government institutions.
The expert will review international best practices related to the renewable energy financing, and develop a comprehensive report of his findings in coordination with the Green Energy Finance Committee   members and supervised by the project team lead. The final report must include a work plan and develop recommendations for improving the financial landscape related to the renewable energy financing
The consultancy is for approximately carried out over 12 months commencing in/about July 2017 and ending in /about June 2018.

Roles and Responsibilities:

-    Collect information from diverse sources, including previous studies, documentary and internet resources, as well as representatives of government and financial institutions, to serve as the basis for the final report and recommendations.
-    Prepare initial drafts and outlines and execute revisions of the report based on feedback received from the Green Energy Finance Committee team as well as PREP project management, and in consultation with the Senior Renewable Energy Advisor.
-    Coordinate Green Energy Finance Committee meetings and serve as a focal point for the committee
-    Follow upon on recommendations and action points agreed to by the Green Energy Finance Committee with a view to advance renewable energy finance in Palestine.
-    Advise the committee on technical issues related to renewable energy sector and solutions to barriers/obstacles.
-    Coordinate with the Green Energy Finance Committee members to engage in discussions with the commercial lenders with the objective of developing a work plan for them, developing draft of the Work Plan for new products.
-    Lead implementation of the work plan with the various stakeholders, providing support for the coordination of technical assistance activities to be conducted by other members of the Green Energy Finance Committee team, with regular reports to and consultations with PREP Project management.
-    Provide support in the collection and organization of data needed for project results monitoring and reporting (ME) activities, in coordination with the Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist supporting this Task Order.
-    Provide support in the preparation of materials for educational and knowledge transfer activities, as well as implementation of any seminars or training sessions under this task order.
-    Review other areas of green finance vulnerability in the West Bank. This would involve identifying other activities, such as those listed in the PMA banking laws and others which may become evident, developing appropriate regulations, forms, conducting training, and public awareness.
-    Coordinate efforts between the governmental institutions and its counterpart agencies. This would involve conducting seminars, coordination of banking supervisory activities, and development of memoranda of understanding.
-    Development of examination procedures to ensure that the parties responsible for reporting under the green finance procedures that will include a full range of incentives, including fiscal and regulatory incentives.

-    Implement related tasks that may be required by the team lead.

DELIVERABLES

The consultant’s activities will include providing PREP project team and the Green Energy Finance Committee with the necessary information to assist them in the further development of its key green finances process setting and continually improving criteria for green financing regulations and procedures. The initiation of this work is done by coordinating with all stakeholders and conducting preliminary research of enhanced green energy financing; interacting with other bank supervision staff, commercial banks, and related governmental institutions.

The specific deliverables expected from this consultancy are incorporated in the following activity descriptions:

-    Comprehensive report and power point presentation of findings that will include recommendations on best practices of green energy financing and identify priority areas in this respect.
-    Assist the Green Energy Finance Committee in reviewing any existing Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) or developing them between inter related governmental institutions.
-    Prepare Terms of Reference (ToR) and plan for public awareness campaign in coordination with the Communications and Outreach Specialist at PREP.
-    Assist the committee to prepare a short-term plan for implementation of a pilot renewable energy program in Palestine.

Qualifications

-    At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and/or Economics, or Engineering with relevant sector experience.
-    Between 8-10 years’ experience in the national financial sector (commercial or public bank) and/or with a regional financial institution
-    Familiarity with banking, insurance and capital markets at the national level in West Bank.
-    Familiarity with government institutions, especially bank regulatory agency, Ministry of Finance and Palestine Monitory Authority.
-    Familiarity with USAID projects and policy frameworks required.
-    Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic required.

Submission Guidelines:

Qualified applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to