Consultancy for Utilisation of Green Energy in Bakassi Host Communities at UNDP

Additional Category: Management
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant

Consequent upon the October 2002 International Court of Justice ruling on the international boundary dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria, the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC) recognized the need for confidence building measures between and among the populations affected by the demarcation (an estimated 170,000 people in Nigeria), in order to secure peace and cooperation between the two States.

The Nigeria United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and United Nations Civilian Observers (UNCO) undertook a Joint Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) with Nigeria specialized agencies in December 2011. This mission was aimed at getting first-hand knowledge of the returnees’ needs, resulting from the conflict, the demarcation exercise and the poor environmental conditions and economic status of the host communities. Affected communities were visited in seven locations from three States: Adamawa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River State.

Key findings of the mission highlighted serious socio-economic challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, poor health conditions, lack of public services such as potable water, energy, health and education facilities, agriculture, fisheries, livestock services. In addition, issues of human security and social protection, including gender based discrimination and violence, rule of law and justice, feature prominently as key priorities.
To address these challenges, a “Returnee Community Focused Reintegration (RCFRP) Programme” was articulated along four main components viz:

• Livelihoods, resettlement and reintegration;
• Access to basic services;
• Security and protection of human rights;
• Infrastructure.

The infrastructure component was viewed as a critical enabler for the first two components, especially as building blocks for achieving the objective of the RCFRP. Central to this is the need to address issues of sustainable development, natural resource management and environmental protection. Thus, the use of green energy technologies that would be adaptable to the local communities within a cleaner environment and support the conservation of the environment was identified as one of the projects to be implemented. Considering the milieu of available green energy sources, their adaptability, acceptability and potential to be sustainable, the use of solar panels was equally identified as the choice green energy technology to be deployed within the Bakassi Host communities.

Objective:

• The overall objective of the study is to provide a fully costed project document, containing an action plan, for deployment of solar panels within the host communities for lighting and also for women to use in cooking and meeting their other energy demands.
• The study will cover women and host communities in Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom and Benue States.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Review all available documentation, by the UN system, Federal and State Governments, as well as other donor agencies on resettlement of persons affected by the 2002 ICJ judgement.
• Identify existing means of energy use and available alternative energy sources in host communities of the three states.
• Identify sustainable development issues relating to the present forms of energy use, including impacts on men, women, children (disaggregated by gender) and demand and supply dynamics of energy in the host communities.
• Identify enablers and constraints to the adoption of solar panels as an energy source in the host communities.
• Identify requisite quantity of solar panels, batteries – including capacities based on use (lighting and cooking etc) - and related accessories that would need to be deployed to meet the energy demand of host communities.
• Identify capacity building needs on usage, operation and maintenance of solar panels to be deployed to host communities.
• Based on the results of the above, items (a) – (f), design a fully costed project with clear action plan(s) that would contribute immensely to adoption of solar panels as an energy source by individuals, especially women in the host communities.

Reporting and Deliverables

The consultant is expected to achieve the above objective by undertaking literature review and working closely with the UNCT and may be required to visit state and LGA headquarters of selected Host communities.

The consultant will be responsible to submit the following reports:

• Inception Report - detailing work plan and working strategy submitted not later than 3 days after commencement of the assignment.
• A Draft Report - highlighting progress made and draft costing and action plan(s), to be submitted not later than 20 days after commencement of the assignment. This document would be subjected to review by the UNCT.
• A Final Report - to be submitted at the end of the assignment and containing agreed amendments and suggestion to the draft report.

Competencies

• Strong understanding and knowledge of sustainable development, sustainable natural resource management and environmental protection
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• A minimum of first degree in environmental sciences and a Masters degree in any development related field.

 Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years progressive work in programme development with special focus on renewable energy utilisation.
• At least 5 years cognate working experience on green energy technologies.

Language:

• Excellent writing and reporting skills in English.