UNIDO is Recruiting for a Home Based International Green Hydrogen Policy Expert

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Intern (Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy Talent Pool): Apply Now!

Application Deadline: 20 June 2024

UNIDO is Recruiting for a Home Based International Green Hydrogen Policy Expert

Duty Station: Home Based
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Contract Duration: 35 working days over a period of 5 months

The International Green Hydrogen Policy Expert position is located under the Division of Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP). The focus of the Division of Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP) is to identify, design, negotiate and coordinate innovative partnerships and support the elaboration and initiation of joint technical cooperation programmes and actions. The Division coordinates UNIDO’s Global Partnership for Hydrogen in Industry and its related green hydrogen programme; and represents UNIDO in relevant high-level policy discussions and fora. Furthermore, the Division facilitates knowledge management and exchange, supports UNIDO’s global forum activities associated with climate and technology innovation; and coordinates high-level events.

Project Context

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Programme for South Africa on “Enhancing the institutional capacity of South Africa to coordinate the implementation of the Hydrogen Society Roadmap”, aims to enhance the capacity of South Africa’s Government to coordinate and implement the HSRM for advancing green hydrogen policies and projects. The project will strengthen the institutional capacity of South African ministries and regulators of the HSRM.

The proposal also addresses the preparatory work of establishing a national ‘Green Hydrogen Energy Centre’ which will play a catalytic role in enhancing the institutional capacity of South Africa in deploying green hydrogen. The Centre will provide a common arena for coordinating green hydrogen policies and projects amongst ministers and relevant stakeholders from private sector, civil society and local, municipal governments. It maintains an objective to operationalize green hydrogen relevant activities outlined in South Africa’s HSRM to replace fossil fuels and decarbonize the economy towards net-zero trajectories.

South Africa has launched the HSRM in 2022, highlighting its vision to reach an inclusive, sustainable hydrogen economy by achieving an inclusive net-zero carbon economic growth by 2050. The HSRM aims to replace fossil fuels in hard-to-abate industries (e.g., chemicals, iron and steel) by developing policies that stimulate demand for hydrogen-related applications and create local market frameworks to mitigate investment risks in support of industrial usages of green hydrogen. However, a gap currently exists in coordinating efforts amongst Government stakeholders for the implementation of the HSRM and advancing developments for green hydrogen.

To address such barriers in alignment with South Africa’s HSRM, UNIDO will assist the Government of South Africa through the following key outputs:

Strengthen coordination capacity of the participating ministries for the execution of green hydrogen specific activities in the HSRM.

Support the government of South Africa in implementing environmental and social safeguards for the production and usage of green hydrogen, in line with the HSRM and relevant national climate mitigation policies.

Increase dissemination of best practices to enhance cooperation and establish strategic partnerships with government and industries for green hydrogen. A guidebook will be developed for government, based on mapping activities on best practices and key stakeholders identified in the green hydrogen value chain.

A Concept Note will be developed to scale-up the domestic application of green hydrogen in emission-intensive industrial sectors to drive industry decarbonization in South Africa. The proposal contributes to advancing local green hydrogen usage in industrial clusters, parks, and zones.

Under the supervision of the project manager (PM) in UNIDO HQs, the International Green Hydrogen Policy Expert will work in close cooperation with the National Technical Expert. The international green hydrogen policy expert is expected to undertake the assignments described below:

Develop and design a methodology to conduct capacity needs assessment measuring the current and desired levels of capacity from targeted stakeholders to the Hydrogen Society Roadmap (HSRM).

Draft report of capacity needs assessment with findings for policies, finance, gender and investment needs.

Conduct capacity needs assessment based on a brief review of international hydrogen coordination mechanisms that could be replicated in South Africa.

Develop framework and draft report for conducting gap assessments on existing and planned public and private green hydrogen policies, investments and financial programmes to identify and mitigate investment risks.

Define and draft a guidelines outlining the structure, coordination and management of Green Hydrogen Energy Centre (coordination mechanism), building on the capacity and gap assessments conducted.

Arrange and present at two workshops for the coordination of green hydrogen policies, projects and climate investment programmes supporting the implementation and execution of the HSRM.

Requirements

Education

Advanced university degree in social sciences, economics, business administration, international relations or other relevant discipline with specialization in areas of relevant discipline, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience

At least five 5 years of professional experience working on policy research, policy development and coordination is required.
Experience in conducting organizational capacity needs assessents and working in capacity building with good understanding of energy sector and sustainability is required.
Ability to write in a clear and concise manner is required.

Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries, is required.
A good understanding of the policy framework of South Africa, is desirable.
Expertise in hydrogen technologies, policies and/or systems as well as experience is an asset.

Ability to work effectively in multi-cultural teams is desirable. Experience in liaising with various stakeholders, including government officials, demonstrating strong communication skills is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.