ThaiNGO

As an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, owned by the German government, operates on behalf of German Ministries, the governments of other countries and international clients. GIZ has a record of more than 60 years working in Thailand.  We are currently looking for Senior Advisor “Just transition in coal regions”

to support the implementation of project activities.

Senior Advisor “Just transition in coal regions”

Just Energy Transition in Coal Regions - Inter-regional Platform (JET-CR Platform) is a joint German-EU Action, contributing to strengthening capacities, mutual learning and sharing experiences on just energy transition in the context of coal regions globally, including drawing on learnings from the EU. The JET-CR Platform is embedded in the project “Innovation Regions for a Just Energy Transition” (IKI JET), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) co-funded by the European Union.

The overall IKI JET project aims at supporting and accelerating just energy transitions (JET) away from coal to renewable energy and other sustainable economic activities in the Global South, contributing to a reduction of GHG emissions. Focusing on required economic transformations in coal regions, IKI JET works with government, industry, employers, unions, communities, civil society, and academia to spur localized pathways to low-carbon and resilient energy systems and sustainable and just local economies and decent jobs, in line with the Paris Agreement and the ILO Just Transition Guidelines.

The JET-CR Platform supports interregional peer-to-peer exchange, learning, policy dialogues amongst and with coal regions in coal-dependent developing countries and economies in transition from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, small scale in country technical assistance and capacity building measures as information sharing via a Knowledge Hub. The eight countries to participate in the JET-CR Platform include Colombia, Chile, South Africa, India, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, and Mongolia.

The Interregional Network will be facilitated by a “Networking Unit” composed of a multidisciplinary team of GIZ policy experts / advisors based in the participating countries and directed (technical guidance) by a team leader based at GIZ Headquarters. The vacant positions forms part of this “Networking Unit”.

The IKI JET project is implemented by a consortium of six partners, with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit - GIZ as leading partner and Climate Action Network - CAN, International Institute for Sustainable Development- IISD, International Labour Organisation- ILO, International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC/ Just Transition Centre, and Wuppertal Institute für Klima, Umwelt, Energie gGmbH as further implementing partner.

In Thailand, the project’s key partner will be EGAT (main utility and operator of coal fire power plant) and the Lampang province where both coal power plant and coal mines are located. Other cooperation with public and private stakeholders will be explored during implementation.

RESPONSIBILITIES / TASKS

The Senior Advisor is expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Overview of the ongoing processes around Just Energy Transition in Thailand’s Coal Regions
• Engagement and liaison with subnational and national stakeholder relevant for the Just Energy Transition in Lampang province as well as other relevant German and EU funded activities
• Tasks required for project implementation, including research, establishment of baselines, monitoring of progress and impacts, and technical contributions.
• As integral part of the “Interregional Networking Unit”, facilitate regional and national stakeholder participation and integration in international peer-to-peer exchange (communities of practice, working groups, study tours, trainings) and dialogue formats (expert exchanges, conferences, seminars etc.).
• Facilitation / moderation of interregional communities of practice / working groups on JET between key stakeholder of coal regions as well as global expert exchanges on JET policies
• Elaboration of knowledge products on JET, such as technical policy briefs on JET policies, or case studies
• Roll-out of a social simulation gamification tool on Just Energy Transition in Lampang province
• Elaboration of a structured assessment of the starting situation for JET in Lampang province and establishment of a framework for progress monitoring for a successful JET
• Support to the German Embassy and EU Delegation in Thailand for policy dialogues on Just Energy Transition coal phase out in policy dialogue with country / target region
• Other tasks as needed in coordination with the line-supervisor/ project AV

GENERAL OBLIGATIONS

• The Senior Advisor is expected to fulfil the following general obligations:
• Work towards the integration of the GIZ “Interregional Networking Unit”.
• Access to relevant Networks in Thailand’s Just Energy Transition field
• Represent the interest of the IKI JET Project, BMWK and the EU in a professional way in close coordination with the line manager and the IKI JET team leader
• Hold regular exchange with the IKI JET Project team based in Germany and the other IKI JET target countries, as well as the IKI JET consortium partner
• The employee must be prepared to travel nationally and internationally

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCES AND EXPERIENCE

Qualification:

• Masters’/MSc degree in an area that is related to Just Energy Transition, such as economics, regional development, social science, finance, engineering, or related.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience in the management of regional economic transformation, climate change or sustainable development projects in international cooperation, advisory or consulting services.

• Knowledge in two or more of the following fields: inclusive green economy, sustainable infrastructure, green finance, regional economic development, coal economy / mining, energy transition, social security, labor market policies and/or green fiscal policy
• Sound knowledge of Thailand public and private sector landscape and proven network in relation to Just Energy Transition, green economy and climate change
• Proven experience in managing and conducting multi-stakeholder engagement sessions of diverse nature
• Experience in working with local, provincial or national government in Thailand
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills, verbal and written; proven track record of drafting and editing complex knowledge and communication materials as required
• Demonstrated experience of working in a team environment

Other Knowledge, Additional Competences

• Knowledge of and sensitivity to climate change related impacts as well as social and environmental challenges in Thailand
• Good networker, ideally already providing an existing network of relevant stakeholders in the field inclusive green economy, just energy transition, circular economy, sustainable infrastructure, green finance and/or green fiscal policy
• Ability to work independently, to approach tasks pro-actively and provide results on time
• Ability and willingness to acquire knowledge and quickly master new topics
• Good ability to write and edit reports and ideally experience in media/communication work
• Very good practical knowledge of Microsoft 365 office tools
• Ability to facilitate international working groups, workshops and events
• Full professional proficiency in English and Thai

Position forms part of an international “Networking Unit”, which will be coordinated by an international team leader, based at GIZ Headquarters.

This will be a fixed-term contract, starting as soon as possible and running until 30 November 2025.

Please carefully read the ad and submit a CV AND a cover letter in English to aroonratt.soontonbura@giz.de  The deadline for applications is Friday, 20 January 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

GIZ Thailand is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages gender diversity within the company and operations.

GIZ Office Thailand

Ms. Aroonratt Soontonbura

193/63 Lake Rajada Office Complex, New Ratchadapisek Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110