Call for Applications for Roster of Experts in Energy Efficiency

Background

In order to support the Western Balkans partners in addressing the energy situation and high prices resulting from Russia's aggression, Montenegro received a fast-tracked €27 million as part of a regional package worth €30 million. The remaining €3 million will be provided by the EU in 2024.
The allocated funds for Montenegro will serve two main purposes. Firstly, they will be utilized to assist the most vulnerable groups in the country in coping with the increased living costs caused by Russia's aggression. This is essential for preserving social stability and maintaining the standards of the population. Secondly, the funds will support Montenegro's transition to green energy, contributing to its energy security and aligning with the EU's goals of decarbonization and clean energy.
Specifically, €13 million will be earmarked for energy efficiency improvements in households, companies, tourism, and industry. This investment will help reduce energy consumption, promote sustainability, and support the adoption of renewable energy sources. Montenegro has agreed to use EU budget support to promote the use of renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency, and develop a strategic vision for the country's energy and climate future.
The EU's broader Economic and Investment Plan aims to facilitate long-term recovery, accelerate the green and digital transition, and foster regional cooperation. Within this plan, three flagship initiatives are relevant to the energy sector: renewable energy, transition from coal, and the renovation wave. These initiatives align with the EU's commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and emphasize the importance of energy interconnections and the utilization of renewable energy sources.
By supporting Montenegro's green transition and focusing on renewable energy, the EU's energy support package will contribute to both Montenegro's energy security and its efforts to align with the EU's climate goals.
UNDP Montenegro is expected to provide technical support to the Government for the implementation of the segment of the package of direct budget support of the European Union for overcoming the energy crisis, which is related to energy efficiency. 
The Government of Montenegro developed a "Program for encouraging energy efficiency in households" that will be implemented through Eco-Fund (further referred as “Program”). The funding model for energy efficiency improvement measures that will be implemented involves a procedural implementation that consists of several steps: public call announcement for the citizens/users, submission of applications by citizens/users, evaluation of received applications, and signing a Financing Agreement with the Eco Fund. Upon signing the Financing Agreement, in accordance with the defined deadlines, the end user/applicant independently enters the phase of implementing energy efficiency measures on the specific object they applied for and gathers all necessary documentation to justify the investment made, all in accordance with the obligations stipulated in the Financing Agreement signed with the Eco Fund. After the completion of the works, the user submits a Request for reimbursement of part of the implementation costs of energy efficiency improvement measures (with evidence) to the Eco Fund. Members of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Eco Fund, with the technical support of the engineers, then conduct on-site verification of the completed works on the object and other information from the Request. If all required conditions are met, the Eco Fund decides on the allocation of funds for subsidizing energy efficiency improvement measures and reimburses/pays part of the implementation costs to the user/applicant.

In that regard, the need for various profiles with engineer educational and working background is rising. Therefore, UNDP Montenegro is publishing the call for applications for the experts who would be placed on a national roster and engaged on ad-hoc basis, as the specific need arises.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the call: 

This call for applications aims to create a list of qualified candidates to support the effective implementation of an energy efficiency program in Montenegro. The program involves co-financing measures to enhance energy efficiency in both individual houses and residential buildings. The selected candidates will contribute their expertise not only to this housing sector initiative but also to other programs and projects undertaken by UNDP Montenegro. The objective is to secure high-quality, accurate, reliable, and timely services to the UNDP whenever needed for the successful implementation of activities envisaged under its projects or upon a particular relevant request.

This represents a recruitment mechanism which maintains pre-vetted consultants and offers the ability to contract them quickly for support by UNDP. Following the successful review for the roster, candidates will be considered for various short-term assignments with UNDP CO Montenegro in this area. Retention on the Roster of selected engineers  will be contingent on continuous delivery of satisfactory services.
The reporting, deliverables, timeline, and the detailed scope of work will be agreed on case-by-case basis for a specific project/activity in accordance with the ToR developed for each specific need. The activities will be implemented on the territory of the whole of Montenegro.
To support UNDP CO work, the following consultants will be recruited to the roster to provide services: 

1. Junior engineer

To support UNDP CO work, the Junior engineers recruited to the roster will be recruited to provide services in the following areas in capacity of the profiles as follow:

• Verification of the documentation and data submitted by the applicants.

Depending on the measure for which the applicant has applied, the verification may include the following activities: site visits, taking photographic documentation (condition of the object or heating devices before the implementation of measures), verification and confirmation of the quantity - surface area of walls intended for thermal insulation, verification and confirmation of the number and dimensions of windows and doors intended for replacement, verification and confirmation of the capacity of devices: pellet stoves or boilers, A/C air conditioning units (split/multi-split systems), heating and cooling heat pumps (air-water, water-water, ground-water), number and capacity of solar collectors for hot water, number and power of photovoltaic panels.

• Verification of completed works on houses/apartments after the implementation of energy efficiency measures. 

Depending on the measure for which the applicant has applied, verification may include the following activities: site visits and visual inspection of completed works, preparation of photographic documentation related to the implemented measure, verification and confirmation of insulation thickness, verification and confirmation of the quantity - surface area of walls where insulation is installed, verification of the number and dimensions of replaced windows and doors, verification and confirmation of the capacity of installed devices: pellet stoves or boilers, A/C air conditioning units (split/multi-split systems), heating and cooling heat pumps (air-water, water-water, ground-water), number and capacity solar collectors for hot water, number and power of photovoltaic panels.

• Preparation of reports on appropriate forms about the condition before and after the implementation of measures with confirmation. If the consultant identifies any irregularities during activities before and after the implementation of energy efficiency measures, they report them in writing to UNDP.
• Preparation of technical reports on implemented energy efficiency measures, including appropriate energy savings calculations, future financial benefits achieved, calculation of reduction/savings in CO2 emissions for selected households.

2. Senior engineers

To support UNDP CO work, the Senior engineers recruited to the roster will be recruited to provide services in the following areas in capacity of the profiles as follow:

• Defining general and technical requirements for selecting companies capable of providing services outlined in the Program, specifying appropriate characteristics of materials and equipment planned to be used for implementing energy efficiency measures;
• Providing expert support to the members of the Panel for expert evaluation and selecting households for co-financing through the Program;
• Provide technical consultations and technical advice and clarifications to the staff of the Eco-Fund to ensure that they have accurate and clear information regarding the technical requirements and conditions for implementing specific energy efficiency measures;
• Providing technical assistance and inputs in preparing tender documentation, follow and advise on tender procedures, including evaluation of proposals and preparing justifications if deemed necessary;
• Provide expert support in preparing progress reports for the Program;
• Supporting the preparation of technical reports on implemented energy efficiency measures, including appropriate energy savings calculations, future financial benefits realized, and estimates of reduction/savings in CO2 emissions for selected households.

Successful applicants will join the UNDP’s roster of experts and be contacted based on arising needs. Activities will be implemented throughout the entire territory of Montenegro.   

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Excellent communication skills, facility in working with teams and capacity to compose clear and readable narrative reports
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Knowledge Management and Learning
• Shares knowledge and experience
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
• Ability to perform a variety of standard tasks related to Results Management, including collecting of documentation, data entering, preparation of revisions, filling, provision of information
• Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Required Skills and Experience

General requirements

• Experience on energy efficiency projects will be considered as an advantage for all required profiles.
• All candidates need to submit at least three references to prove the previous experience on projects relevant to the position they are applying for.  

1. Junior Engineer

• University degree in in the areas relevant to the assignment (e.g. architecture, civil, mechanical or electrical engineering);  
• At least 2 years of professional experience; 
• Familiarity with energy efficiency systems and technologies;
• Familiarity with sustainable and environmentally friendly business practices;

2. Senior Energy Efficiency Engineer

• University degree in in the areas relevant to the assignment (e.g. architecture, civil, mechanical or electrical engineering);  
• At least 5 years of professional experience in the fields relevant for the assignment (energy efficiency in building sector, industry, energy menagement); 
• Possession of the license of authorized engineer for design of technical documentation and construction of facilities (Law on Spatial Planning and Construction (Official Gazette of Montenegro 64/2017, 44/2018, 63/2018, 11/2019, 82/2020, 86/2022 and 4/2023);
• Working experience with energy analysis and energy auditing would be considered as an asset;
• Possession of certificate for completed the training program to conduct energy audits of buildings will be an advantage;
• Familiarity with energy efficiency and energy management systems and technologies;
• Familiarity with sustainable and environmentally friendly business practices;
• Proven record on active involvement in similar assignments/projects;

For each of the field of expertise, knowledge of local language is mandatory.

Application procedure:

Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by May 5, 2024 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain CV. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview follow up to the application.