Summary
Date Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 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 a feasibility study on sustainable energy solutions that can help generate alternative income amongst communities in Rufunsa and Luangwa. Sustainable energy solutions include but are not restricted to briquettes made from any type of organic waste, biogas and sustainable wood fuel. The consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks:
• Meet with ZGF team to agree on scope of work and communities to be visited
• Evaluate the technology of biofuel production (such as briquettes made from any type of organic waste, biogas, sustainable wood fuel) and the resources / raw materials required (efficiency, performance, main strengths and weaknesses, etc.)
• Assess the costs of production of biofuel solutions, their potential revenues and their potentials to yield returns on investment
• Conduct a market analysis (potential sale volumes, main consumers, readiness to pay, market position, competitive merchandise, main strengths and weaknesses of the already existing alternative product etc.)
• Assess implementation barriers and tools for overcoming such barriers, including current regulations
• Identify major market related risks for sustainable energy solutions and the recommended mitigation measures for these risks
• Analyse adverse environmental and social impacts, including health risks of biofuel production and usage and recommend feasible mitigation measures
• Assess as to whether sustainable energy solutions are an affordable energy source for the target communities and women in particular
• Produce a feasibility assessment report including final recommendations

Duration of assignment
The expected duration of the required services is up to two seven weeks starting on 13th December 2021 and ending on 31st January, 2022. The total number of input days is 8 (eight) days.

Qualifications and experience
The consultant should have:
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in providing relevant consultancy services
• Prior experience with undertaking operational and financial analysis and business consulting
• At least 3 years of work experience in the field of energy efficiency and sustainable / renewable energy
• Demonstrable knowledge of current trends in sustainable/renewable energy provision
• An appreciation of environmental governance and environmental justice issues faced by rural off-grid communities in Zambia
• Degree in energy management, environmental management, sustainable development, management of natural resources, economics, business administration or equivalent

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 36

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

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.

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