Household Bioenergy Technology Expert: Cities and Infrastructure for Growth Zambia (CIGZambia)


About us:
Cities and Infrastructure for Growth Zambia (CIGZambia) is a facility that provides high-quality independent technical advice and assistance to Zambian government bodies and private sector organizations engaged in projects /programmes that help harness the potential of Zambia’s cities and towns to act as drivers for economic growth and job creation. CIGZambia is funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID).

The overall programme objectives are:

  •  increasing urban productivity
  •  improving inclusive access to urban economic infrastructure services
  •  increasing investment into urban economic infrastructure services
  •  enhancing national and regional integration between cities

Talented, committed and responsible people from diverse backgrounds are essential for us to fulfil our purpose of reimagining Zambia. We strive to unleash the power of our people and we cultivate an organizational culture that is inspired, curious and empowered.

Bioenergy definition: We define bioenergy as a source of energy derived from forest land, forest, manure and municipality waste or energy crops for electricity, heat or transport.

About you:

  • You have expertise for bioenergy technologies for household level (feedstock, technology solutions) in biogas (plant, animal, human waste, bioenergy crops), biomass (food process residues, agriculture/agroforestry residues) and waste-to-energy.
  • The biggest benefits of this role are, having to contribute to shaping the potential bioenergy market in Zambia by defining the scope and potential for growth in this sector.
  • The biggest challenge of this role will be multitasking and completing documents to adhere to international “client-ready” levels.
  • The current team around this role is made up of a bioenergy feedstock expert, strategic planning & business development, project funding, household/medium/large bioenergy experts, demand expert, gender/social/climate change experts, government procedures expert, monitoring & evaluation and behavioural change communication expert. The team, in general, describes themselves as passionate, adaptable and ultimately, capable.

About the Role – Main purpose and scope of work:

  • The main role of the consultant will be to assess how bioenergy technologies suitable for household level (heat and power, combined heat and power and biofuels) can be implemented.

Duties and key responsibilities:

  • Baseline supply side bioenergy technologies for household level.
  • Baseline demand for selected bioenergy technologies for household level e.g. agriculture residues (forest/weed waste, maize residues, cassava, sugar cane, cotton, tobacco, vegetables, soybeans, groundnuts, wheat, fruits, ethanol silage, etc.).
  • Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail on content.
  • Develop content for the report.
  • Develop business models for household bioenergy (improved cooking solutions – ICS), biogas, biofuels and biomass.
  • Demand: Develop overview of customer segments/markets for cooking solutions (type of cooking solutions used, quantify by type) in Zambia (rural, peri-urban, urban).
  • Demand: Quantify amount of fuelwood/charcoal used for cooking in Zambia.
  • Supply: Develop overview of existing suppliers (private sector, NGOs; years in market, sold units to date) of household and small-scale cooking solutions in Zambia (rural, peri-urban, urban).
  • Supply: Develop global supply market overview of bioenergy solutions (e.g. Improved Cooking Stoves – ICS).
  • Business models: Create overview of promising business models (supply, demand, cost (CAPEX, OPEX), revenue, Return on Investment – ROI) for distribution of bioenergy technologies (e.g. ICS) to urban / peri urban / rural households in Africa and Zambia.
  • Business models: Create business models for bioenergy solutions (e.g. ICS in Zambia (quantify commercial viability, and sustainable distribution).
  • Business models: Create a distribution network strategy and “last mile” retailing system/hubs for rural areas.
  • Carbon finance: Elaborate on accept of carbon market and carbon finance for business models (viability without carbon finance).
  • Legal/regulatory environment: Analyse and summarize legal and regulatory framework for sales and distribution of small-scale bioenergy technologies (e.g. ICS) in Zambia.
  • Quality: Summarise legal quality standards defined by ERB/ZABS.
  • Quality: Summarise current level of training provided in Zambia and planned training by suppliers.
  • Research: Provide overview of research institutions in Zambia and Africa specialised on cooking solutions.
  • Deforestation: Collect evidence and data on how much the introduction of small-scale bioenergy technologies (e.g. ICS) reduces deforestation (household level and estimates for Zambia) and reduces GHG emissions.
  • Recommendations: Analyse and create recommendations for specific support / incentive schemes for the private sector to stronger promote the commercial distributions of small-scale bioenergy technologies (e.g. ICS) in Zambia.
  • Recommendations: Develop potential action plan for Zambia to small-scale bioenergy technologies and how to improve uptake and scaling-up.
  • Write, edit and proofread report and documents.
  • Present drafts to team leader and incorporate feedback.
  • Work with group members to shape the material so it can be submitted.
  • Incorporate feedback into working version of reports.
  • Consult with other work colleagues within the working environment.
  • Observe professional conduct in the workplace.
  • Keep time.
  • Provide other miscellaneous services related to or outside job description as per Team Leader instructions.

Required Qualifications / Minimum Requirements:

  • Master’s degree in any bioenergy technology related programme.
  • Proven experience in with cooking stoves markets.
  • Proven experience in business models for cooking stoves.
  • Proven experience with cooperatives/SMEs and rural communities.
  • Experience in private sector (including business plan development).
  • Experience into information dissemination.
  • Proven relevant working experience in Zambia.
  • > 5 years work experience.
  • Worked for 2 organisations (> 2 years’ experience with each).
  • Working knowledge of MS Excel Formulas.
  • Working knowledge of MS Word Styles.
  • Working knowledge of MS PowerPoint Shape Formatting.
  • Capable of sitting for hours behind a computer screen to put in the work.
  • Capable to conduct field work in rural areas/environment.

Applications:

Please send your CV to [email protected]. For CV to be considered, subject line in email must be completed as follows:

Job Title – Candidate: Last Name First Name. Highest Degree, years of work experience in highest degree. In 3 words why you apply.

Example: Bioenergy Manager – Candidate: John Phiri. MSc Environmental Science, 10.0 years. I live bioenergy.

Deadline for Applications: 3rd of February 2020

Non-Discrimination Claim: We do not and shall not discriminate based on race, colour, faith, gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors and clients.

To apply for this job email your details to [email protected]