National Legal and Regulatory Expert – Energy and Cooperative Sector – Ethiopia

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a National Legal and Regulatory Expert – Energy and Cooperative Sector for a finance consultancy assignment financed by UNDP in Ethiopia.

Aninver Development Partners is seeking a National Legal and Regulatory Expert – Energy and Cooperative Sector for an upcoming UNDP-supported initiative in Ethiopia. The assignment forms part of a broader country-led technical assistance program aimed at scaling up renewable energy minigrids and mobilizing sustainable private and blended investments. Specifically, the project explores diverse delivery models—with a strong focus on cooperative-based minigrids—to expand electricity access in remote and underserved areas.

The expert will play a critical role in conducting comprehensive legal, regulatory, and institutional analyses to support the legal and financial structuring of cooperative minigrid delivery models. Working closely with national stakeholders, including energy and cooperative authorities, the successful candidate will help navigate the regulatory landscape, assess compliance and governance structures, and contribute to scaling sustainable energy financing mechanisms across the country.

Aninver is preparing a proposal for this assignment. The selected expert will be part of the proposed team; the engagement is conditional on the contract being awarded to Aninver. The full Terms of Reference for the position are shared with shortlisted candidates.

Objectives of the assignment

• Contribute meaningfully to scaled-up financing and enabling environment components of the renewable energy minigrids program in Ethiopia.
• Perform rigorous legal and institutional analysis of Ethiopia's energy sector and cooperative frameworks.
• Assess legal and financial structuring considerations for cooperative-based minigrid delivery models.
• Facilitate structured consultations with key government ministries, regulators, cooperative institutions, and development partners.
• Deliver actionable legal recommendations and contribute to final knowledge products and financial mechanism concept notes.

Scope of work

• Contribute to the integrated inception report and detailed workplan at the outset of the assignment.
• Prepare activity concept notes and support stakeholder mapping and engagement strategies.
• Review and analyze relevant Ethiopian legal frameworks, focusing on cooperative law and energy sector regulation.
• Assess legal and institutional frameworks governing cooperatives in Ethiopia regarding ownership, governance, contracting, financing, and operation.
• Support the legal structuring of cooperative-based minigrids, addressing capitalization models, revenue-sharing, risk allocation, and tariff implications.
• Contribute to international benchmarking exercises by reviewing cooperative energy case studies applicable to the local context.
• Participate in high-level dialogues, workshops, and dissemination sessions to socialize findings and refine regulatory recommendations.

Your role as National Legal and Regulatory Expert – Energy and Cooperative Sector

• Lead the legal and regulatory workstream focusing on Ethiopia's energy and cooperative sectors.
• Conduct detailed desk reviews and stakeholder consultations with the Ministry of Water and Energy, the Ethiopian Cooperative Commission, and other relevant entities.
• Analyze existing bottlenecks and opportunities within the legal and institutional frameworks affecting minigrids and cooperative business models.
• Provide expert inputs into the legal and financial structuring considerations for pilot cooperative minigrids.
• Collaborate closely with financial, modeling, and technical team members to ensure regulatory compliance and viability of proposed structures.
• Draft clear, concise legal analysis reports, concept notes, and contributions to project deliverables.
• Support the organization of stakeholder dialogues and present legal findings to national and international counterparts.

Requirements

• Education: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law or another directly relevant field; alternatively, a first-level university degree in law combined with additional relevant professional experience
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in Ethiopia in legal, regulatory and/or institutional analysis
• Languages: English (Knowledge of relevant Ethiopian working languages would be an advantage)
• National of, or based in, the project country

Desirable

• Specific knowledge of the legal and institutional framework governing cooperatives in Ethiopia and its relevance to ownership, governance, contracting, financing, and operation.
• Experience supporting the review and/or development of legal, regulatory, contractual, or institutional arrangements in the infrastructure or energy sectors.

A seasoned legal professional with extensive regulatory experience in Ethiopia's energy and cooperative sectors, possessing a deep understanding of renewable energy frameworks and stakeholder engagement.

Assignment details

• Location: Ethiopia
• Financed by: UNDP
• Sector: Finance
• Estimated duration: 8 months
• Contract: individual consultancy (conditional on award)

About Aninver Development Partners

Aninver is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Spain. It supports governments, development banks, UN agencies and bilateral donors with feasibility studies, technical assistance, evaluations and capacity building across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, working with a network of international and national experts.

Why apply

• Join a multidisciplinary team on a UNDP-financed project in Ethiopia.
• Individual consultancy: flexible, output-based engagement with an experienced proposal team.
• Your CV stays in Aninver's expert network for future assignments that match your profile.

How to apply

Sign in (or create a free account) and upload your CV in English. Add your LinkedIn profile, indicative daily rate and availability to speed up the assessment. Aninver will contact the shortlisted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Is the position confirmed? The engagement depends on the contract being awarded to Aninver. Shortlisted experts are included in the proposal with their consent.

Can I apply if I am not based in the country? This position requires a national of, or a professional based in, the project country.

What happens with my CV? It is used to assess your fit for this and future positions and is not shared with third parties without your consent.