Call for Experts for Urban Resilience and Just Energy Transition Programme Full Time

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Call for Experts
Duration/Level of Effort: Full Time/Short Term & Long Term
Position Location: South Africa

ABOUT COWATER 
Cowater is a global international development consultancy firm that works with partners to deliver technical assistance to governments and the private sector in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Our key technical areas of focus include: public financial management and accountability, revenue reform, customs, trade and investment facilitation, conflict, stability and security, inclusive economic growth, sustainable extractives industries, social service delivery, climate adaptation, monitoring and evaluation, as well as women’s economic empowerment.

Cowater works with a diversified set of development donors, including the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) the European Union (EU), the World Bank, and others. Cowater further counts on a dynamic and diverse team of professionals committed to designing and implementing projects that deliver lasting results for the clients and countries with whom it works.

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT 
In advance of the upcoming FCDO-funded approx. £9.3m Urban Resilience and Just Energy Transition Programme, Cowater is seeking candidates to fill numerous long-term and short-term positions. Expected to start in June/July 2024 and to last for an initial 3-year period, the programme will support green growth, just energy transition and sustainable urbanisation in South Africa.

The Urban Resilience component is expected to deliver technical assistance at the municipal level in order to:

• support the implementation of a pipeline of catalytic projects in a range of sectors (involving business case development, securing funding for feasibility studies, municipal budget for EIAs, tendering support etc.);
• developing and sourcing funding/financing approaches to implement the urban plans; and
• supporting municipalities/relevant entities to secure approvals with appropriate public bodies and facilitating engagements with DFIs, private sector and other government actors.

An initial 10 cities and 5 provinces have been identified for scaling up/down technical assistance under the Urban Resilience component:

Gauteng

• Emfuleni
• Mogale City

KwaZulu Natal

• Alfred Duma/Ladysmith
• Ray Nkonyeni
• Newcastle

Eastern Cape

• King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD)

Limpopo

• Polokwane
• Thulamela

Mpumalanga

• Steve Tshwete
• Mbombela

The Just Energy Transition (JET) component is expected to:

• develop a pipeline for bankable infrastructure projects in the JET Partnership sectors with a view to reaching financial close and project implementation. Investments are expected to be linked the UK’s pledged JETP finance – sovereign and PPP lending from African Development Bank, and private equity and debt deals for DFIs, British International Investment and PIDG, etc.
• provide ad hoc technical assistance and policy advice to South African Government entities and businesses or business associations in the JET sectors. Note: JET sectors are energy (and energy efficiency), green hydrogen, EVs, Road to Rail and Just i.e. economic development.

The initial focus will be on getting two priority projects in Mpumalanga focusing on water (including bulk water supply, waste-water and non-revenue water, and solar pumping) and energy distribution (non-revenue energy i.e. technical and commercial loss reduction and grid upgrades) through to financial close with the African Development Bank and onto implementation. Additional projects may then be added and developed, including in and beyond Mpumalanga.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITIONS
We are issuing this call to build a roster of experts in preparation for the tender development.
We are looking for experts who can provide specialist knowledge and expertise relating to each of the following areas:

Key areas of expertise:

• Municipal and industrial planning experts
• Utilities experts
• Infrastructure procurement experts
• Financial structuring experts for infrastructure projects (working with SMEs, blended finance, finding finance) and financial and economic modellers
• Participatory/inclusive urban planning / GESI experts
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Specific sectoral (urban resilience and energy) experts in:

• Water (water, waste-water, non-revenue water)
• Renewable energy (solar, wind, waste to energy, green hydrogen) and energy efficiency
• Energy systems and markets (e.g. transmission, grid management, distribution, unbundling, grid codes, PPAs, regulatory issues)
• Industrial parks, logistics hubs and tourism
• Transportation (roads, electric vehicles, buses, railway and metro line refurbishment) and ports
• Waste management and recycling
• Affordable housing
• Agribusinesses (commercial farming)
• Manufacturing and supply chain

QUALIFICATIONS
Education:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in relevant technical area; advanced degree preferred

Minimum Experience:

• 5+ years of progressively responsible work experience, within the identified sectors
• Experience working collaboratively with the Government of South Africa, particularly at municipal level in the 5 stated provinces (Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga) highly desirable
• Experience with bilateral donor-funded projects preferred
• Familiarity with Southern Africa is preferred; Experience/Knowledge of South Africa is highly desired

Essential Skills:

• Strong writing and interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated leadership, adaptability, and integrity

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English
• Fluency in one or more local languages spoken in the 5 key provinces highly desirable, including but not limited to:
  • isiXhosa
  • Afrikaans
  • isiZulu
  • Sesotho
  • Xitsonga
  • Tshivenda
  • siSwati
  • isiNdebele

APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are encouraged to apply ASAP (deadline 5th April 2024).

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.