Senior Advisor to UNDP on District Cooling

The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol UNDP approved a request for a feasibility study to develop a business model for district cooling in the Dominican Republic.

The objective of the feasibility study is to determine the technical and financial viability of developing a district cooling system, and options for funding the full project after the feasibility study is completed. This feasibility study will be developed within the areas owned by Grupo Puntacana in the Dominican Republic, which includes three hotels, an international airport and a new shopping mall, taking into account future development in the area.

The preliminary findings from the pre-study and site visit show how a District Cooling system can be developed in Punta Cana with technical and environmental benefits.  The analysis also indicate that “The Reference Business Case", would be financially feasible. The Reference Business Case includes a new centralized absorption cooling plant, using waste heat from the existing waste incineration facility and a lay-out of a new district cooling network in order to connect identified existing and new buildings within the area to the District Cooling system.

The following tasks and activities will be implemented during the preparation of the Business Case Study:

Cooling demand:

• Develop demand and capacity analysis for identified buildings to be connected to District Cooling. (Measurement is ongoing for one building at the moment);
• Determine development schedule;
• Investigate and determine estimated conversion cost of identified area / buildings.

PLS Plant:

• Existing biomass plant is currently under-utilized Investigate how fuel logistic can be solved in order to achieve maximum capacity needed to provide centralized absorption chillers with excess heat (steam);
• Investigation of steam use from existing boiler and/or new steam boiler located next to Wartsilla engines;
• Condensing heat for centralized absorption schillers can be solved by cooling towers or ground wells. Perform deeper analysis of the two options including final recommendation;
• Conceptual planning of the district cooling plant and the location for centralized absorption units with cooling towers and/or ground wells for condensing heat;
• Finalize District Cooling plant concept design and lay-out.

Distribution network:

• Concept design of chilled water distribution network including pipe material, type of insulations, design pressure and preliminary layout with specifications on dimension, length and type of installations per stretch;
• Investigation of synergies with other infrastructure lay-outs such as water pipes, electric cables etc.

Building Energy Transfer Stations:

• Analysis of Customer Energy Transfer Stations (ETS) including type of ETS (direct/indirect), material, design pressure and design temperatures (in and out).

Economic and financial:

• Analysis of identified sourcing costs such as electricity, water and wood fuel;
• CAPEX and OPEX analysis;
• Profitability analysis.

Others:

• Environmental impact analysis such as CO2 emission reductions;
• Risk assessment;
• SWOT.

UNDP requires the assistance of a Senior Technical Expert on District Cooling to fully develop the business case study for the Punta Cana Foundation.

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean of UNDP’s Montreal Protocol Unit/Chemicals, and in continuous consultation with Programme Specialists of the Unit, the senior technical expert will provide technical assistance related to District Cooling, while assisting the team with:

• Undertake the tasks and activities described above;
• Prepare the Business Case Study for the Punta Cana Foundation;
• Prepare the final Report that UNDP will submit to the Multilateral Fund for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
• Excellent analytical skills and the capacity to research and comprehend technical and strategic documentation and prepare policy and strategy  papers;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations, and to meet tight deadlines;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
• Capacity to establish and maintain excellent relationships with key partners;
• Good presentation skills;
• Good computer skills (Microsoft suite, email, internet, …).

Corporate Competencies:

•  Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
•  Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
•  Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Education:

• Master Degree in engineering, chemical, physics or technology Sciences and/or energy efficiency is desirable, 10 pts;
• Degree in engineering, chemical, physics or technology Sciences, 10 pts.

Experience:

• More than 10 years of practical experience from the Refrigeration and AC Sector is required, 10 pts;
• At least 5 years of experience in the field of centralized cooling systems is required, 5 pts;
• Working experience with projects in developing countries and/or countries in transition is desirable, 9 pts;
• More than 10 years of Experience with district cooling projects including development of management structures and financial schemes at national and/or international level in international development is highly desirable, 16 pts;
• Hands-on experience working on the subject of district cooling / energy at the international level in at least 2 of the following regions is desirable (Europe, Africa, Arab States, Asia, America), 5 pts.

Language:

• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English, 5 pts.

Duration:

• The contract will enter into upon signature of both parties and is expected to last 12 months.

Duty Station:

• Home based and two missions to Punta Cana (deliverables as described below).

Fees & Payments

The consultant will quote his/her professional fees for services based on the deliverables identified below. Travel related costs and other foreseeable mission related expenses must be quoted separately from the professional fee.  Missions not foreseen shall be paid to the consultant as per IC Rules and Principles.

A Best value for Money approach will be used in the evaluation of the applicants, and will lead to a combined score for technical capabilities (70 %) and the financial offer (30 %).

Expected Deliverables:

• D1 (20 %) upon presentation of Work Plan for the preparation of the Business Case Study (Jan 2016);
• D2 (20 %) upon presentation of Mission Report from 1st visit to Punta Cana (Feb 2016);
• D3 (30 %) upon presentation of Business Case Study draft and acceptance by UNDP / Punta Cana Foundation (May 2016);
• D4 (30 %) upon presentation of final report to the Multilateral Fund Secretariat (August 2016).

If you would like to apply for this position please make reference to the UNDP jobs website, https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=62458  Application deadline is 27 December, 2015.