Vacant Positions available at the Ministry of MEIDECC (Department of Energy)

Project Management Unit for the Green Climate Fund- Assessment and Reform of the Tonga Outer Island Solar Electrification Society (OISES) for engagement with the GCF-Approved Tonga Renewable Energy Project (TREP)

Vacancies

  1. Energy Officer (Economist)
  2. Energy Technician

Applications are hereby invited to apply for the posts of Energy Officer (Economist) and Energy Technician for the Green Climate Fund- Assessment and Reform of the Tonga Outer Island Solar Electrification Society (OISES) under the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC).

For government employees, endorsement of respective Head of Departments is required. All applications must be addressed to the CEO of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, P.O. Box 1380, Taufa’ahau Road, Nukualofa, Tonga and labeled “Project Management Unit for the GCF – OISES” and to reach his office no later than 4:30 PM, Friday 5th March, 2021.

Applicants are required to forward their applications with their “Curriculum Vitae” together with relevant documents such as certificates, transcripts, and testimonials.

For queries contact:

1. Dr. Tevita Tukunga on ph: 20113/20100 or e-mail to ttkunga@gmail.com OR

2. Mr. ‘Eliate Laulaupea’alu on ph: 20180 or e-mail to tuhamoelotu@gmail.com

Assessment and Reform of the Tonga Outer Island Solar Electrification Society (OISES) Project

The Outer Island Solar Electrification Society (OISES) was started in 2000 for respective outer island groups of Tonga as the body to manage and monitor off-grid infrastructure. For instance, the Ha’apai OISES office is responsible for all renewable energy systems/projects that had been installed and registered under the OISES in Ha’apai Island group.

Within the last two decades some of the OISES systems/projects were not able to be maintained in 1-2 years after the installation. The lesson learnt illustrates that the OISES structure, policies, business model and management are inadequate to operate at a sustainable level. There is a need to review the existing OISES institutional, policies, business and management set up to ensure an appropriate solution and reform to diagnose the current issues.

The project is anticipated to fund technical assistance to review and provide necessary reform approaches for the OISES. It is hoped that this reform will be implemented by the Department of Energy before all off-grid new projects in the Government of Tonga pipeline including the TREP project. This Readiness is linked to the Tonga Renewable Energy Project (TREP) which is under the ADB Regional Renewable Energy Facility (submitted to the GCF Secretariat in early August 2017 and approved by the GCF Board in October 2018). It is expected that this project will be implemented before to the implementation of the off-grid component of the TREP.

This project is also included in the Tonga GCF Country Programme. The key action plan is for the Readiness project to fund the identification of business model gaps in the operation, ownership and maintenance of off-grid renewable energy services and to find and implement proper actions (identified technical assistance and further discussed/agreed to/with local communities) to improve the current management, business model and operation of all off-grid projects which does not duplicate or provide any conflicts with the TREP activities.

The focal areas for the project will be based on the following:

  • Management operation in the remote islands and main office
  • Maintenance work in the remote islands
  • Ownership and expectation of local communities
  • Financial operation and revenue collections
  • Tariff payment and enforcement
  • Constitutions and compliance with policies
  • Regulatory roles for services and tariffs
  • Connection and disconnection of services
  • Strengthening of capacities and capacity building needs

A Project Management Unit (PMU) has been established and responsible for carrying the day -to day implementation of the project. The PMU consist of at nine (9) staff, including the National Project Coordinator, M&E and Reporting Planner, Institutional Capacity Planner I, Institutional Capacity Officer, Institutional Capacity II, Gender Specialist, Marketing & Business Planner, Marketing & Business Officer and Finance & Administrative Officer.

JOB DESCRIPTIONS

  1. Energy Officer (Economist)

Scope of Work

  • The Energy Officer (Economist) will be mainly responsible for providing economic and social analysis & assistance on Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Petroleum for the OISES National Project Coordinator. The Officer will also assist the OISES PMU with economic and social aspect of Energy policy development, revision and amendment. He/she will also assist in providing adequate Economic advice and support to the OISES National project Coordinator in Energy development matters, financial initiatives, and planning of the Department of Energy.

Duties & Responsibilities 

  • Provide economic and social analysis & assistance on Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Petroleum for the OISES National Project Coordinator.
  • Assist in potential economic and social incentives within OISES and national initiatives that are implemented under, or have an impact on the energy sector related activities of the Ministry or the energy stakeholders
  • Assist with the development of innovative and feasible financial incentives and subsidies required by the Department of Energy
  • Assist in providing adequate Economic advice and support to the OISES National project Coordinator in Energy development matters, financial initiatives, and planning of the Department of Energy.
  • Support OISES PMU in conducting, facilitating and coordinating national training activities, seminars and workshops
  • Assist in preparing national economic and social status report on the energy sectors. The officer must assist in monitoring and evaluation of the economic impacts of energy technologies and incentives on the nation’s GDP provided by the reform/assessment as a result of the OISES project
  • Report to National Project Coordinator on Division’s achievements, issues, lessons learned and progress from financial incentives, subsidies for clean energy technology.
  • Other duties appropriate to skills and qualifications as required from time to time by the National Project Coordinator or Director of Energy

Qualification & Skills 

  • University degree- Bachelor degree in fields of Energy, Economics or related fields
  • Some knowledge and experience with the climate change convention (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, Energy Technical Reports, Tonga Energy Roadmap (TERM), National Energy Policy, Tonga- Nationally Determined Contributions and GCF Country Programme.
  • Demonstrated ability in Energy technical works in the outer islands and in liaising and cooperating with all project stakeholders including government officials, scientific institutions, NGOs and private sectors;
  • Fluent written and oral communication in Tongan and English
  • Strong communications and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent computer knowledge (MS Office, Internet)
  • Tonga citizenship

Salary: Salary Range is T$19,490 -T$29,230, in accordance with Tonga Government Civil Service Salary scale/Band L.

Duration: 18 months

 

2. Energy Technician

Scope of Work

  • To assist the OISES PMU in collecting, documenting and storing up-to-date adequate energy data, from Government, NGO and other relevant data providers for the Department of Energy and for the purpose of the OISES project in assessing and reforming of the Outer Island Solar Electrification Society
  • Assist the OISES National Project Coordinator in collecting and compiling all requested reports for the Project (Weekly, quarterly, annual)

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Collect, document and store up-to-date adequate energy data, from Government, NGO and other relevant data providers for the purpose of the OISES project and the Department of Energy’s needs.
  • Assist the National Project Coordinator in collecting and compiling all requested reports for the Project (Weekly, quarterly, annual)
  • Assist the Finance & Administrative officer in preparing POR and processing vouchers for the project
  • Assist the OISES PMU awareness publications and assist developing Policy awareness program for the project
  • Assist in preparation and organizing missions, meetings, trainings and other types of awareness program
  • Coordinate and collaborate with the Finance & Administrative officer to conduct the Budget Reconciliation by end of each months
  • Assist the internal administration for OISES PMU, including proper filings and customer service oriented
  • Any other Duties that may be required by the National Project Coordinator & Director of Energy

Qualification & Skills

  • Diploma in Energy, IT, Economics or related field from a recognized Tertiary Institution with at least one (1) year work experience in Energy Institution, IT fields,public service or related areas. OR;
  • Pass Form 7or it’s equivalent with at least 2 (two) years of relevant working experience in the above-mentioned areas OR;
  • She/He must have good experience working with donors and development partners on Energy and related issues
  • Work Experience in a similar role would be an advantage
  • Good knowledge and experience with the climate change convention (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, Energy Technical Reports, Tonga Energy Roadmap (TERM), National Energy Policy, Tonga- Nationally Determined Contributions and GCF Country Programme.
  • Demonstrated ability in liaising and cooperating with all project stakeholders including government officials, scientific institutions, NGOs and private sectors;
  • Good experience with Government and in interdepartmental procedures
  • Fluent written and oral communication in Tongan and English
  • Strong communications and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent computer knowledge (MS Office, Internet)
  • Tonga citizenship

Salary: Salary Range is TOP$15,120-TOP$22,680, in accordance with Tonga Government Civil Service Salary scale/Band M.

Duration: 18 months