Summary
Date Posted: Monday, November 22, 2021 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Background
Energy has been identified as an important driving force behind economic development in Zambia, and the government has declared its commitment to developing and maintaining energy infrastructure and services. In 1996, the Government of Zambia set a goal for universal electricity access for all Zambians by 2030.[1] The renewable energy sector has seen many new entrants into the Zambian market over the recent years, with affordable pay-go solutions and alternative /sustainable energy provision being offered by various local and international service providers; however, availability and affordability remain one of the main obstacles for communities living outside the national electricity grid and below the poverty line.

Zambia’s rural communities are adversely affected by climate change. With a rapidly growing population, they face increasing difficulties in securing their livelihoods due to their dependence on natural resources. Many households rely on subsistence agriculture, while practicing poor farming methods. Many communities are also outside the national electricity grid and depend on fuelwood for household energy. Combined with poor market access, local communities have little chance of improving their livelihoods. There is widespread indiscriminate cutting of trees for charcoal production and clearing of land for subsistence agriculture for their survival. Illegal charcoal production and trade continues, exacerbating deforestation – having reached alarming levels – and environmental degradation.

Under the Voices for Climate Action programme, managed by Hivos, ZGF is in the beginning of a new initiative that seeks to ‘enhance climate resilience through forest protection and the use of sustainable energy solutions in Rufunsa and Luangwa Districts.’ The initiative aims to increase the uptake of sustainable energy sources in selected communities in Rufunsa and Luangwa district; to engage district and provincial stakeholders to embrace the need for combating deforestation and sustainable energy solutions; and to convince local and traditional authorities to embed forest protection policies in local legislation and implement their enforcement.

Scope of Services and Expected Outputs
ZGF now requests for the services of a consultant to conduct an analysis of the implementation of the 2019 energy policy and other sustainable / renewable energy legislation and government financing frameworks relevant to Rufunsa and Luangwa. The analysis shall be complemented by a stakeholder analysis and their levels of interest and influence through a power mapping exercise. The analysis of legislation, financing frameworks, stakeholders and power dynamics in the sector will guide community representatives in their dialogue with politicians, government and district government representatives, traditional leaders, NGOs, private sector and media.
The study should be comprehensive in assessing the content and implementation of the existing policy and financing frameworks and identify opportunities for policy engagement interventions. The consultant should pay particular attention to existing financing frameworks for sustainable clean energy provision that are relevant to the target communities in Rufunsa and Luangwa and women in particular.

The consultant is expected to consider the following areas in the desk study:
1. Meet with ZGF team to agree on scope of work and communities to be visited
2. Assess the content of existing legislation and financing framework relevant to Rufunsa and Luangwa district
3. Consult recent studies exploring the gender – energy nexus (e.g. gender assessments in the energy sector, etc.)
4. Consult relevant stakeholders in Rufunsa and / or Luangwa
5. Identify potential opportunities for engagement at district and provincial level
6. Conduct a stakeholder analysis and create a power map capturing district and provincial stakeholders
7. Provide guidance on stakeholders that could potentially be co-opted in future policy dialogues, including gender / energy focused organisations and social enterprises not active in Rufunsa and Luangwa

Duration of Assignment
The expected duration of the required services is one month starting 1st December 2021. The total of input days is 8 (eight) days.

Qualifications and Experience
The consultant should have:
• At least have 3 years of relevant experience in working or providing consultancy services in the energy sector
• An appreciation of environmental governance and environmental justice issues faced by rural off-grid communities in Zambia
• Demonstrable experience in and knowledge of current trends in sustainable / renewable energy provision
• Prior experience with undertaking policy / legislative analysis
• Degree in environmental management, environmental law / governance, management of natural resources, gender studies, economics, public administration, public policy and management, political science or equivalent

Education Requirement: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 36

Job application procedure
Interested consultants should send their CV and a two page cover letter explaining their relevant qualifications and experience, including the total fee rate for the eight-day consultancy to jobs@zgf.org.zm.
https://rerasadc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Energy-Policy-Gender-Assessment-Report.pdf

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