Job Title:                                 Component 2 - Technical Specialist
Project:                                   USAID Vietnam Urban Energy Security
Reports to:                              Investment Manager/Component 2 Lead
Location:                                 Hanoi
Period of performance:           February 17, 2023 – September 30, 2023 (with extension possibility)
Deadline for application:         January 13th, 2023

SCOPE OF WORK

Project Background

USAID Vietnam Urban Energy Security (VUES) works closely with USAID and the Government of Vietnam at multiple levels to improve enabling frameworks, mobilize investment, and increase the adoption of innovative solutions for advanced, distributed energy. It is a 4-year activity (2019 – 2023) with the overall goal of “advanced, distributed energy solutions deployed to improve urban energy resilience and energy security” in Vietnam.

The specific objectives of this activity are to assist Vietnamese cities to:

1. Improve enabling policies, regulations, and city-level plans/programs for the deployment of resilient, distributed energy services;
2. Mobilize public and private sector investment for the deployment of advanced, distributed energy systems;
3. Increase adoption of innovative technologies, practices, business and financing models for advanced, distributed urban energy solutions.

As Vietnam experiences steep increases in energy demand and rising air pollution challenges, there is growing recognition that cleaner, more reliable sources of energy are needed and greater capital investment is necessary. In an effort to achieve the objective of catalyzing capital into clean energy, the project provides a variety of technical assistance, transaction advisory support, and blended finance solutions that demonstrate the viability of investing in Vietnam’s clean energy sector. These activities leverage existing programs – donor funded and otherwise – to support investment and crowd in new actors by building investable pipelines and reducing risk. The project engages a wide range of stakeholders to ensure interventions address constraints on both the supply and demand side, and works to broker stronger linkages between those seeking investment opportunities and those needing capital to grow their businesses and scale-up their solutions.

USAID Vietnam Urban Energy Security is designed with 03 components including:

• Component 1: Strengthening Local Enabling Environment
• Component 2: Unlocking Capital
• Component 3: Spurring Innovations

VUES is currently implementing activities in Vietnam to mobilize public and private sector investment for clean energy and is coordinating on a number of interventions under the Component 2 activities.

Overview of the Position

The Project focuses on identifying barriers and constraints to increase public and private investment in advanced, distributed energy solutions and designing interventions that overcome or mitigate these constraints in order to increase capital flows and investment in clean energy. The Component 2 team focuses on building and sustaining a pipeline of investment opportunities, identifying technical assistance needs and providing support and facilitation to make the opportunities more attractive to increase the accessibility of appropriate capital for renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. Component 2- Technical Specialist will aim to support the management of technical assistance to the project’s activities focused on unlocking capital. He/She will support the Investment Manager/Component 2 Lead in mobilizing public and private sector investment for the deployment of advanced, distributed energy systems.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Technical Specialist will support the Investment Manager/Component 2 Lead to engage with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure interventions address constraints on both the supply and demand side; and will work to broker stronger linkages between those seeking investment opportunities and those needing capital to grow their businesses and scale-up their solutions. Specific responsibilities include to:

• Lead in the organization of Component 2’s activities within the Project implementation including but not limited to workshop, training, site visit,  study tour, policy dialogues, etc…
• Support the Component 2 Lead to develop and implement  Project Workplan activities as well as operational strategies for Component 2;
• Support coordination of Project’s technical assistance provided to partners and stakeholders in the area of clean energy financing;
• Support collaboration with key stakeholders involved in the clean energy sector in Vietnam private sector actors, government ministries, financial institutions, and other donor funded projects working in the same space to ensure strong coordination between stakeholders and reduce redundancy;
• Support in the identification and management of technical experts, consultants, and outside contractors in the fulfillment of their scopes of work in the areas of transaction advisory support, investment facilitation, blended finance, or other areas of clean energy finance;
• Support to ensure timely completion of quality deliverables according to approved work plan and scopes of work; and to ensure activities are implemented in accordance with USAID regulations and DAI policies;
• Assist in coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager to provide technical inputs on project targets, indicators, updates, and learning;
• Support close coordination with the Activity Fund Manager to provide technical input into grant and subcontract solicitations including RFPs and SOWs;
• Collaborate with Operation team to facilitate requisition and procurement procedures for all Component 2 related activities/ services;
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party and Component 2 Lead. 

Qualification Requirements

• University degree in finance, power/energy engineering, or related subjects;
• At least 5 years of experience working in clean energy finance related activities and/or demonstrated familiarity with finance and investment landscape in Vietnam;
• Experience working in USAID and/or donor-funded energy or finance projects in Vietnam or regionally preferred;
• Experience working with financial institutions, clean energy developers and/ or government counterparts preferred;
  
• Fluency in English, particularly demonstrated report writing skills in English is required;
• Experience in handling the organization of training, workshop, site visit, etc. is a plus.

Supervisory Requirements

This a full-time Hanoi-based position and will be due on September 30, 2023 with possible extension. The Technical Specialist works under the direct supervision of and report to the Investment Manager/Component 2 Lead.

Application Instructions

Applicants should send their CVs and Cover Letters detailing their relevant professional background and experience to [email protected].

Deadline for the application: January 13^th, 2023.

DAI Organization and Values

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. DAI does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, veteran status, or other non-merit factor.

Organization: DAI
Location: Hanoi
Application deadline: 2023-01-13
Send application to: [email protected]