United Nations Development Program Office is seeking a highly qualified professional to fill in position of Project Manager

Terms of Reference

The project addresses a key issue in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through large-scale improvements in energy efficiency in Ukraine's communal heat supply sector. These improvements will result from a four-part approach: 1) capacity building to create the basis for systematic energy efficiency activities at the local level; 2) an integrated approach of supply and demand-side improvements to achieve maximum fuel savings and emissions reduction; 3) attraction of external investment resources for an energy efficiency programme in a pilot city (Rivne); and, 4) project-specific replication measures in other parts of the country, including development of relevant procedures, guidelines, information materials and their dissemination, and public awareness-raising through the involvement of NGO's, in particular those concerned with environmental and energy efficiency problems. The project will involve establishing a privately-run energy service company (ESCO) as an innovative mechanism for financing energy efficiency activities in Ukraine at both municipal and regional levels, and, eventually, at the national level. The full-size project was approved in January 2000, but, given the then financial constraints faced by GEF, was split into two phases: the completed Phase 1 was dealing with the setting up of an ESCO in the City of Rivne which, in turn, implemented pilot energy efficiency activities targeting selected municipal district heating facilities. Phase 2, build upon and consolidate the ESCO experience acquired to address municipal district heating activities at the Rivne City-wide and regional (Oblast) levels.

Duties:

Under the general direction of the National Project Director and the supervision of the ESCO-Rivne Director, the Project Manager will:

• Support ESCO-Rivne in developing plans to attract new shareholders/investors and to expand ESCO business to other Cities/Oblasts. As such, the Business Development Adviser will be expected to generate an average of $ 5 million annually in new business.
• Assist ESCO-Rivne in negotiating new EPC contracts that minimise risks and expand its business opportunities, such as including maintenance and repair.
• Support ESCO-Rivne in its efforts vis-à-vis Municipalities/Oblast Administrations to ensure that a fair market place for ESCO activities is established.
• Assist ESCO-Rivne in formulating ToRs and identifying potential consultants/short-term experts to assist with project implementation (e.g. development of risk mitigation instruments) and supervise their assignments.
• Advise and support ESCO-Rivne in the preparation of the company annual reports, financial reports, implementation of annual audits and development of acceptable standards of business conduct that will facilitate participation by investors.
• Assist ESCO-Rivne in monitoring project performance as per set indicators and preparation of required reports, including the annual PIR.
• Support ESCO-Rivne in ensuring full compliance of project activities with all financial and technical rules, regulations and procedures relevant for the project implementation (both UNDP and national).
• Assist the ESCO-Rivne Director in selection of staff (both project staff and other relevant staff of participating organizations) for local and/or overseas training.
• Ensure liaison with the Project Steering Committee and UNDP office, and ensure that the decisions and recommendations of the Project Steering Committee, and the opinions of UNDP, are fully incorporated within the scope of the project implementation.
• Ensure full liaison with the GEF Operational Focal Point at the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Masters degree in business management, economics, or engineering;
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in business development/investment banking, preferably related to district heating;
• Familiarity with structuring financial options for risk assessment and business growth;
• Experience with the design and implementation of energy efficiency programmes and projects, preferably in east/central Europe;
• Extensive experience of cooperation with Ukrainian and foreign governmental organizations and international financial institutions;
• Extensive experience with project management and a demonstrated ability to manage complex technical assistance projects;
• Good computer and interpersonal skills;
• English language skills (both oral and written), in addition to Ukrainian/Russian, essential.

Applications (most recent CVs) in English language with the reference to this position are to be submitted:

to e-mail address: vyacheslav.egorov@undp.org, or fax (044) 253-26-07.

Applicants are strongly advised to match their qualifications against the post requirements before submitting applications. Please indicate "Project Manager" in the Subject line of your message. Please also mention the minimal salary level expected in your application/CV.

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancies. We regret that we will not be able to acknowledge all unsolicited general applications for employment.

Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

THIS POST IS OPEN FOR UKRAINIAN NATIONALS ONLY