International Individual Consultant for the Africa Minigrids Terminal Evaluation

Agency: UNDP | Reference: UNDP-SWZ-00267 | Type: Call for individual consultants Description of the Assignment:The UNDP-supported, GEF-financed Africa Minigrids Program (AMP) aims to support African countries, including Eswatini, to increase energy access by reducing the cost and increasing commercial viability of renewable energy (RE) minigrids. For Eswatini, the AMP focus is on establishing a springboard for RE minigrid development, building data and knowledge resources and ‘proof of concept’ business models that can inform planning, de-risk investments and encourage private sector participation in the country. This aligns with the country targets for renewable energy (RE) and the expectation that minigrids will contribute to goal to achieve universal energy access, as set out by the National Energy Policy (2018) and the Kingdom of Eswatini Energy Masterplan, 2034.The TE report must provide evidence-based information that is credible, reliable and useful.The consultant will review all relevant sources of information including documents prepared during the preparation phase (i.e. PIF, UNDP Initiation Plan, UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Procedure/SESP) the Project Document, project reports including annual PIRs, project budget revisions, lesson learned reports, national strategic and legal documents, and any other materials that the team considers useful for this evidence-based evaluation.The Consultant will review the baseline and midterm GEF focal area Core Indicators submitted to the GEF at the CEO endorsement and midterm stages and the terminal Core Indicators that must be completed before the TE field mission begins.The consultant is expected to follow a participatory and consultative approach ensuring close engagement with the Project Team, government counterparts (the GEF Operational Focal Point), Implementing Partners, the UNDP Country Office, the Regional Technical Advisor, direct beneficiaries and other stakeholders.Engagement of stakeholders is vital to a successful TE. Stakeholder involvement should include interviews with stakeholders who have project responsibilities, including but not limited to Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy (MNRE), Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO), Centre for Sustainable Energy Research (CSER) from the University of Eswatini), executing agencies, senior officials and task team/component leaders, key experts and consultants in the subject area, Project Board, project beneficiaries, academia, local government and CSOs, etc. Additionally, the consultant is expected to conduct field missions to project sites, namely Mvundla and Bulimeni.The specific design and methodology for the TE should emerge from consultations between the consultant and the above-mentioned parties regarding what is appropriate and feasible for meeting the TE purpose and objectives and answering the evaluation questions, given limitations of budget, time and data. The consultant must use gender-responsive methodologies and tools and ensure that gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as other cross-cutting issues and SDGs are incorporated into the TE report.The final methodological approach including interview schedule, field visits and data to be used in the evaluation must be clearly outlined in the TE Inception Report and be fully discussed and agreed between UNDP, stakeholders and the consultant. The final report must describe the full TE approach taken and the rationale for the approach making explicit the underlying assumptions, challenges, strengths and weaknesses about the methods and approach of the evaluation.The ideal candidate should meet / exceed the following experience & qualifications:Posess an advanced university degree (master’s degree or higher) in Renewable Energy, Energy Policy, Environmental Management, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Economics, Engineering, Evaluation, or a closely related field.have at least 10 years of professional experience in renewable energy, climate change, sustainable development, or related technical fields.Demonstrated experience in conducting evaluations of development projects and programmes; experience with GEF-funded and/or UNDP-supported projects will be considered an asset.Proven experience applying results-based management and evaluation methodologies.Experience in the use and assessment of SMART indicators and in reconstructing or validating baseline scenarios.Demonstrated knowledge of adaptive management approaches and their application in climate change mitigation, renewable energy, and sustainable energy access projects.Experience evaluating projects related to renewable energy, mini-grids, rural electrification, or energy access initiatives.Familiarity with the policy, regulatory, institutional, and investment environment for renewable energy in developing countries, preferably in Africa and/or the SADC region.Experience assessing project sustainability, financial viability, private sector engagement, capacity development, kno CONTACT: • Email: procurement.sz@undp.org