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Renewable Energy Planning Expert: USAID Clean Power Asia Program, Bangkok

Abt Associates, a global leader in technical assistance, program implementation and international development, seeks qualified individuals to fulfill the position of Renewable Energy Generation and Transmission Planning expert for the USAID Clean Power Asia program. This position will be based in Bangkok, is full time, and will report to the USAID Clean Power Asia Chief of Party, who is also the Lead for Task 1: Power Sector Planning for High Renewable Energy Scenarios. Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The purpose of USAID Clean Power Asia is to accelerate the regional transition to high performing, low carbon power sector. The Activity will assist the governments of the Lower Mekong and other developing countries in Asia in energy planning and help establish effective policy, regulatory, and technical environment for low-emissions growth in the power sector, while simultaneously attracting public- and private-sector investment in Renewable Energy (RE) development. USAID Clean Power Asia is focused on the following resources: solar, wind, small hydro (<15 MW), and biomass residues.

The program will initially focus on the four Lower Mekong countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, but may expand into Myanmar (Burma), and later to Indonesia and the Philippines on a limited and strategic basis. It will also include activities on the ASEAN regional level.

Application Instructions

• To be considered for a position, applicants are required to submit a CV and an application letter explaining how his/her specific qualifications, skills, and expertise are relevant to the stated position responsibilities.

Overall Responsibilities

• Work in close coordination with the project team, under the direct supervision and guidance of the Chief of Party, to improve the enabling environment for large-scale renewable energy deployment; accelerate private and public sector investment in renewable energy; promote U.S. government energy sector activities; and share lessons learned with the broader community;
• Support energy planning related to setting and meeting national RE targets, integrating the targets into national development plans and development of Renewable Energy Zones
• Develop and nurture relationships with other donors, government counterparts, private sector actors and others in the region who share the program’s goals.

Position Specific Responsibilities

The Renewable Energy Generation and Transmission planning expert works under the direct supervision of the Chief of Party. Overall, the planning expert will support work in the Mekong countries, and the broader ASEAN, related to setting RE targets and incorporating the targets into national development plans, generation planning to facilitate integration of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) into the grid, and transmission planning (including RE zones) that better align generation and transmission plans, to be undertaken with program support in each target country, and lead efforts with partners, subcontractors, and others to institute such mechanisms in support of a stronger enabling environment for RE.

Potential activities that the Renewable Energy generation and transmission planning expert will be expected to support include, but are not limited to:

• Task 1.1
  • Enabling informed analysis and decision-making for grid tied generation and infrastructure for high RE planning scenarios
  • Linking RE targets and energy plans to climate change goals and NDCs
  • Analyzing and promoting least cost options for future generation and transmission plans to achieve RE targets and integrating these options into power development plans, infrastructure investment plans and national budgets, and utility generation and transmission plans
  • Capacity-building for governments and utilities to ensure adequate transmission infrastructure that is capable of integrating variable renewable energy, including distributed solar PV
  • Managing and supporting processes for selecting and implementing Renewable Energy Zones to synchronize RE generation and transmission planning, focus cost-effective renewable energy generation investment in areas of high load growth or special economic zones and reduce costs
• Participate in developing and monitoring implementation of the annual work plan
• Manage consultants and subcontractors as assigned by the COP, including drafting scopes of work, participating in selection and reviewing deliverables and work products.
• Other duties to be determined in conjunction with the COP and USAID.

Qualifications

• Minimum five (5) years’ experience in planning and/or target-setting for grid-connected renewable energy in one or more of the Lower Mekong countries in which USAID Clean Power Asia is focused (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR) and/or in ASEAN;
• Progressive experience working on donor-funded – preferably USAID-funded — energy and/or economic growth projects in the ASEAN region;
• Proven ability to manage logistical aspects of donor-funded project activities with multiple actors including energy ministries, regulators, universities, domestic banks, equity firms, and utility and planning agencies across the ASEAN region;
• Minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is required;
• Applicants must bring native-level proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Lao, Khmer, Vietnamese, Thai , or Burmese; and
• Fluency in English is required.

Interested candidates may submit their CV to cparecruitment@abtassoc.com referencing “RE Planning Expert” in the subject line. Candidates MUST indicate their salary history and availability. No other documents are required at this time. Applications will be accepted until September 3, 2016.

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.