International Consultant, Promotion of Energy Efficiency (EE) and Life Cycle Management (LCM) of Refrigerants in the RAC Sector of the Dominican Republic
Organizational Context
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. Its Law Division supports developing countries in implementing environmental policy and strengthening environmental management. As an Implementing Agency of the Montreal Protocol, UNEP's OzonAction Branch assists countries in meeting treaty obligations. This role supports a pilot project in the Dominican Republic focused on energy efficiency and refrigerant management in the RAC sector.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to provide timely technical assistance to enhance energy efficiency and improve the life cycle management of refrigerants within the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) sector of the Dominican Republic. The role will support the country's transition to energy-efficient and climate-friendly RAC technologies by strengthening the regulatory framework, demonstrating best practices, and promoting national awareness and institutional coordination. Additionally, it will contribute to establishing an inventory of used or unwanted controlled substances and developing a disposal plan, aligning with the objectives of the Montreal Protocol and the Multilateral Fund. The consultant will offer technical guidance to national ozone officers and RAC sector stakeholders, both remotely and potentially in person, over a nine-month period.
Responsibilities
The consultant will provide technical guidance to National Ozone Units and RAC sector stakeholders in the Dominican Republic. Key responsibilities include submitting project proposals based on action plan findings, conducting a sectoral mapping report on electricity consumption in the RAC sector, and collecting data from manufacturers, importers, distributors, and large users. The consultant will organize and conduct technical workshops to validate methodologies and preliminary results, and prepare a regulatory gap analysis. Furthermore, the role involves developing a benchmarking study to compare Dominican standards with other Latin American countries, formulating updated draft Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for specific appliances, and organizing national roundtables and consultation workshops to validate findings and co-design roadmaps. The consultant will also prepare a digital consultation form for feedback.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of experience is required in implementing projects related to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). Experience in designing and implementing energy efficiency projects or policies, and in executing Montreal Protocol projects, is essential. Experience working with government officials in developing countries is also required. Prior UN system experience and knowledge of ozone-depleting chemical phase-outs are considered assets.
Skills
Project implementation (MEAs, energy efficiency, Montreal Protocol), technical assistance, policy development, regulatory analysis, stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis, workshop facilitation, report writing, knowledge of environmental science/policy/engineering, and Spanish language proficiency.