United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) recruits National Project Manager (biomass mini-grid)

Nigeria is starved of the needed energy for domestic and inciustnal uses. There Is currently an excess electricity demand of over 10,000MW being met by diesel engines with its concomitant negative effect on industrial competitiveness and climate change. This is a worrisome situation in view of the vast supply of renewable energy materials for power generation in the country. As an agrarian economy, Nigeria has ample opportunity to bridge the electricity demand-supply gap by utilising its abundant biomass resources. However, the agricultural and wood wastes generated in the country are either dumped or burnt. This results in significant environmental hazards and health problems arising from methane and other harmful emissions. Alternatively, large amount of electricity can be generated if the biomass and animal wastes and residues are used for power generation.

In response to the above challenge and leveraging on its technical capacity in renewable energy development, UNIDO has developed and secured an approval for a project titled “Mini grids based on renewable energy (Biomass) to augment rural electrification” for funding under RAF-4 of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project has four major components:

1.) Development of techno-economic feasibility studies and business plans for identified potential sites to facilitate replication

2.) Demonstration of techno-economic viability of biomass based mini- grid

3.) Strengthening of financial and policy environment to support RE based mini-grid systems; and

4.) Capacity development for replication of biomass mini- grid technologies.

A Project Management Unit (PMU) has been established at the Energy Commission of Nigeria. One key personnel in the PMU is the Project Manager whose duties are described below.

Job Title: National Project Manager (biomass mini-grid)

Location: Abuja

Date required: 15 June, 2013

Responsibilities

• The Project Manager shall be under the overall supervision of the UNIDO Representative in Nigeria and shall drive the implementation of the project.
• Prepare annual work programme and implement the project accordingly upon approval by the UNIDO Project Manager in the headquarters
• Keep good stakeholder relations and organize stakeholder consultation meetings regularly
• Facilitate missions of international consultants related to GEF projects and assist in data collection, local coordination, relationship building with stakeholders, etc
• Continuous monitoring of implementation of project activities and performance to track progress towards milestones
• Prepare progress implementation reports and annual progress reports to GEF
• Serve as UNIDO Expert in renewable energy and carry out any other duty as may be assigned by the Organization and
• Prepare end of assignment report to UNIDO.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering with additional specialization in Renewable Energy or related subjects with at least 5 years experience in Nigerian Energy Sector.
• Previous experience with GEF projects will be added advantage.
• Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Languages: Fluency in English

Application Closing Date
6th June, 2013

Method Of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications in a sealed envelope marked Project Manager addressed to:
The UNIDO Representative,
UN House, Plot 617/618,
Central Area District,
P.M.B. 2851,
Garki, Abuja.
Submitted applications should include curriculum vitae of candidates with functional telephone numbers, email address, postal address and a one page summary statement describing the relevance of candidates’ experience and qualification to the job as outlined above.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.