Energy Policy Specialist null

I. BACKGROUND:

Clean Air Asia has focused on emissions from stationary sources since 2018, in line with the organization’s overall goal of achieving better air quality for cities through reduction of all emission sources. Coal-Fired power plants (CFPs) are some of the biggest pollutant emitters in Asia, which warrants more stringent operation, approval, and control of these facilities through science-based policy development.

On a regional level, Clean Air Asia has analyzed the CFP situation and policies in five countries in South and Southeast Asia - Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Vietnam - which together comprise 31% of global planned coal capacity expansion as of 2020. Emission standards for CFPs were reviewed in each country, and existing and planned policies on the following were summarized: CFP application processes, emissions monitoring and control, CFP data collection and reporting, coal handling, and national policies related to CFP dependence. The findings of the study entitled, “Coal-Fired Power Plant Emission Standards in South and Southeast Asian Countries Policy Analysis” were disseminated in partner countries, and published online.

Clean Air Asia’s local and international work on CFPs will continue to focus on analysis of emissions, science-based policy development, and capacity building of stakeholders. To guide decisionmakers in fully transitioning from coal-based energy to cleaner and renewable sources of energy, a transition roadmap is being developed by Clean Air Asia. Aside from concrete actions on reducing emissions through emission standards, control technologies, and emissions data analysis, realistic recommendations involving energy transition will also be identified and mapped in the local context of the partner countries.

II. JOB PURPOSE

The Energy Policy Specialist will play a key role in the development, implementation, and review of energy and other heavy-polluting industries work of Clean Air Asia. The Energy Policy Specialist will contribute to strategic planning and provide technical and policy advice and input to help develop Clean Air Asia’s position on current and emerging air quality and climate change issues in the region governing energy use and production, energy structures, and a just transition to non-fossil fuel energy sources. 

III. RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE OF WORK

Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, the primary duties of the Energy Policy Specialist will include: 

1. Project Management and Implementation 

• Manage key projects and lead relevant team members, particularly providing overall direction for research and analysis. 
• Lead in implementing projects or components of projects, including taking the lead in work planning (task management) and monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes. 
• Lead in the preparation of reports, meeting presentations and proceedings, and organization of workshops and events in key projects. 
• Provide direct support for the implementation of projects in key strategic project activities such as review of reports, meeting agenda and proceedings, communications, and delivery of presentations. 
• Provide  project updates regularly including  project operations and resource management 
• Manage and review outputs prepared by consultants for technical and other quality criteria.

2. Program Development

• Be the lead technical resource within CAA,  with in-depth and updated knowledge on the energy and other heavy-polluting industries space. He/she shall provide technical advice on the determinants and impacts of clean energy policies and actions. He/she shall provide guidance on the holistic approach needed to develop and implement policies and actions towards sustainable energy in Asian countries, in the contexts of coal dependence, energy supply and demand, and economics of energy distribution and just transition to renewable energy. He/she shall contribute to the knowledge pool of the organization, and provide technical advice on challenges and opportunities (policies, technology, and capacity building) in the energy and other heavy-polluting sectors.
• Lead in keeping track of trends and developments in mitigation of emissions from energy and other heavy-polluting industries across Asia.
• Preparing an overview of key and emerging issues governing energy and other heavy-polluting industries within the region, and sharing updated information with the relevant team members of the Policy, Research, and Outreach team; 
• Providing technical direction in the conduct of research, data analysis, interpretation and presentation of findings, report and recommendation development governing air quality and climate change, including impacts and other technical areas such as co-benefits and cost-benefits analyses.
• Lead in writing of policy briefs, assessment reports, position papers, and similar work. Lead the team members in the development of meeting proceedings, workshop reports, and other project documentation. 
• Lead the development of capacity-building programs and training delivery; lead the organization of events relevant to the projects on energy and other heavy-polluting industries. 
• Provide technical inputs to fundraising activities, including proposal development, presentation to donors, etc. of the Policy, Research, and Outreach Team.
• Participate in and/or contribute to various supporting activities to implement Clean Air Asia’s Strategy.
• Deliver other tasks assigned by the Program Manager, Deputy Executive Director and Executive Director of Clean Air Asia.

3. Staff Management

• Line manage Researchers of the Policy, Research, and Outreach Team in accordance with functional and organizational goals.
• Assess staff’s performance against indicators set out in the annual Performance Development Review Record 
• Communicate and ensure understanding of functional and organizational goals to the staff
• Report to the Program Manager on productivity and other performance indicators of assigned team members on a monthly basis or as the need arises.
• Recommend to the Program Manager any training needed by the managed team members to improve performance as appropriate 

4. Capacity Development (internal)

• Organize targeted brown bags and learning sessions to build the capacity and awareness of staff on key and emerging discourse on energy and other heavy-polluting industries.

5. Partnership Building and Representation

• Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with key Clean Air Asia partners and stakeholders
• Represent Clean Air Asia in selected, approved meetings or conferences and effectively communicate Clean Air Asia’s position on technical issues

6. Quality Management

• Work with the Deputy Executive Director and Program Manager to ensure the technical quality of outputs of staff across the Research and Knowledge stream of Clean Air Asia

IV. ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS CRITERIA

• Minimum five years of combined work experience in different areas of environmental management and sustainable development, with a focus on energy sustainability, climate policy, renewable energy, environmental economics and governance, industrial engineering, industrial management, air quality, and climate change. International exposure to policy development work, advisory roles, and cost-benefit analyses is an advantage.
• A Master’s degree in Energy Science, Energy Policy, Energy Systems, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Environmental Economics, or any similar discipline. An advanced degree and/or skills related to specific energy or industry fields is an advantage. 
• Experience in project management is a must.
• Experience in capacity building and engagements with government officials preferably at the national and local level, across different countries in Asia 
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications required; capability in using database applications, energy models, and other statistical software is an advantage. 
• Well-developed interpersonal, communication and stakeholder liaison skills with experience in networking and establishing and maintaining relationships with partners at different levels (ministry, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community-based organizations).
• Fluent in spoken and written English; with strong written, analytical, presentation and reporting skills. 
• Strong technical writing skills, with the ability to do research, analyze, visualize and communicate data to various stakeholders. Written publications is an advantage.
• Demonstrated attention to detail. 
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team. 
• Team player with the ability to contribute more widely to the direction of Clean Air Asia’s program.
• Experience working in different Asian countries is an advantage. 

V. DURATION, REMUNERATION and OTHER BENEFITS 

The selected candidate will be appointed for one (1) year under a full-time, fixed-term staff contract, with possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance. The probationary period is 3 months. The base monthly remuneration is competitive but may vary subject to the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. In addition to government-mandated employee benefits, Clean Air Asia provides HMO medical and hospitalization insurance, 24 days paid vacation leaves, up to 10 days sick leave, and observes 13 public holidays per year.  Clean Air Asia also provides opportunities for travel domestically and internationally.