Energy Sector Advisor

EMPOWER Private Sector

Cardno Emerging Markets USA, Ltd. (Cardno) is currently seeking a short-term Energy Sector Advisor for USAID-funded EMPOWER Private Sector activity. EMPOWER is designed to increase competitiveness in growth-ready sectors, facilitate inclusive private sector job creation.

Position Objective

Under the leadership of the Component 2 Team Leader, the Energy Sector Advisor will support EMPOWER in the organization and implantation of technical elements and content of third edition of the Kosovo Green Festival taking place in September 2018.

The overall goal of this assignment is to advance the development and growth of the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector in Kosovo. This sector has substantial potential to contribute to Kosovo’s GDP and to create jobs, while allowing the country to contribute positively to mitigating global climate change. The specific assignment objective is to support EMPOWER in the organization and implementation of technical elements and content of third edition of the Kosovo Green Festival that will be sponsored by USAID and take place in September 2018, and to provide selected related research.

The Kosovo Green Festival will publicly showcase the “green industry” in Kosovo, including renewable energy generation businesses (producers of biomass fuel pellets, solar panels, wind energy, geothermal, etc.); producers of appliances that use renewable fuels (stoves, boilers, radiators, heat exchangers, etc.); producers of insulation materials; installers of renewable energy systems; waste recyclers; and users of recycled materials. It aims to network all stakeholders in the green sector in Kosovo, including GoK ministries, donors, and private industry.

The Kosovo Green Festival will be a 3-day event, which will be highly publicized aimed at expanding awareness of the importance and economic development value of green technologies. It aims to stimulate demand for renewable energy appliances, generate awareness on the need for improved waste recycling, and encourage the adoption of favorable government policy toward the sector. The event will be the third installment of what is intended to become a regular annual fair.

Preparation for an event of this kind requires long lead time. EMPOWER is seeking to engage outside technical assistance to take lead responsibility for organizing certain of its aspects, especially the “Green Forum”, as outlined below. The position reports to the Component 2 Team Leader.

The length of performance is up to 40 LOE days in period as of April 15, 2018 until October 30, 2018.

Job Description/ Scope of Work

The following outlines the elements of the Green Festival, indicating the responsibilities of both EMPOWER and the STTA Energy Sector Advisor under this Scope of Work.

  1. Green Festival Pavilion

The Pavilion will house the exhibitors of green products and services. Approximately 30 exhibitors are expected from four subsectors: (i) wood biomass (pellet and stove/boiler producers), (ii) solar, geothermal, and wind (producers and installers), (iii) insulation material producers, and (iv) recyclers and manufacturers from recycled materials, including plastic, oil, paper, cardboard, and glass.

The Pavilion will also be the focal point for B2B and B2C activities and events.

Responsibilities of EMPOWER: Selection of exhibitors, planning of booth layout, organization of opening event, organization of B2B and B2C events, promotion, media.

Responsibilities of STTA Advisor: None.

  1. Green Forum

The Green Forum is a varied program of activities that will take place over the 3-day event. The program will be organized around key themes as per the following:

  • Day 1: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
  • Day 2: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
  • Day 3: Recycling

Each day’s program will consist of a plenary conference in the morning, workshops during the afternoon, and parallel events outside the main Festival Forum venue.

The daily conferences and workshops will address:

  • Green industry market opportunities and challenges;
  • Government policy and support for green industry;
  • Workforce skills needs in green industry; and
  • Finance for green energy and energy efficiency.

Responsibilities of EMPOWER: Logistics, translation, audio-visual (AV) for all Forum events, promotion, media.

Responsibilities of STTA Advisor: Lead responsibility for organizing the forum, including:

  • Design of all conference and workshop sessions: specification of topics, preparation of agendas
  • Identification / and lead the recruitment process of all speakers, including to the extent possible “headline” speaker(s) – known international expert(s) – for opening or lead event(s)
  • Review of all speaker presentations to ensure their suitability and appeal to the audience
  • Identification and involvement of all key stakeholders – GoK agencies, donors, business associations (including KREA), NGOs, private businesses
  • Identification and involvement of selected key regional and international stakeholders

Deliverables, Outputs, and Outcomes

Outputs, deliverables, timing, and estimated required days for this position are as follows:

Deliverable / Due By / LOE
  1. Initial Draft – 3-day Green Forum Agenda
/ 20-May-18 / 5
  1. Second Draft Forum Agenda with tentative proposed speakers and institutional and business collaborators, including confirmed co-sponsors
/ 10-Jun-18 / 10
  1. Final Forum Agenda with all topics, speakers, and collaborators confirmed
/ 30-Jul-18 / 10
  1. Preparation / Facilitation / Management of Green Forum and Parallel Activities
/ Festival / 10
  1. Brief weekly reports
/ Weekly / 0
  1. Final Report
/ 30-Oct-18 / 5
TOTAL consultancy days / 40

The Advisor will report to EMPOWER Component 2 Team Leader, meet weekly with her, and provide a brief written weekly report to EMPOWER on progress versus this Scope of Work.

Position Requirements

The application is open to local qualified individuals.

The following are the key minimum qualifications of the Energy Sector Advisor:

1. Advanced relevant university degree

2. At least five years of applied experience in the energy sector

3. Well-established network of energy stakeholders in both Kosovo and abroad

4. Demonstrable experience in conducting research and assessments on energy-related issues, including in Kosovo

5. Excellent writing skills and excellent command of English

6. Experience in implementing activities supporting development assistance projects

7. Demonstrated management, organizational, and communications capacities.

Special Instructions:

To apply, please send CV to:

The application deadline is close of business on Friday March 29, 2018.

No telephone calls, please. Finalists only will be contacted.

Cardno offers an excellent compensation and benefits package. Cardno is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Cardno is a professional infrastructure and environmental services company, with specialist expertise in the development and improvement of physical and social infrastructure for communities around the world. Cardno’s team includes leading professionals who plan, design, manage and deliver sustainable projects and community programs. Cardno is an international company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange [ASX:CDD].