Long-Term Energy Advisor (LTA), MOIT (EREA, ERAV) Danish-Vietnamese Energy Partnership Programme (DEPPIII), Vietnam

DEPP III in Vietnam Background in short:

Vietnam has a population of almost 100 million and is one of the fastest growing economies in the world with an annual growth rate of 8 % and a GDP of USD 4,100 per capita. Vietnam’s CO2 emissions has increased more than 10-fold since 1990 and Vietnam is now the 18th largest CO2 emitter in the world emitting more than 10 times the emissions of Denmark.

Urban air pollution is critical in Vietnam. Recognizing the global and local benefits of lowered carbon emissions and pollution abatement, Vietnam has put in place strategies and policies to advance green growth. The Government is aware of the need to lower the environmental footprint of the country’s growth, to effectively mitigate and adapt to climate change, and that addressing these challenges also present opportunities to contribute to growth.

The programme in short:
DEPP III (2020-2026) builds on the progress achieved and the lessons learned from DEPP II (2017-2020). The primary Vietnamese partner is the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT). MOIT is the governmental agency responsible for state management of industry and trade including electricity, renewable energy, energy efficiency, oil and gas. The Development Engagements are with three organisations that operate under the umbrella of MOIT, namely, Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority (EREA), Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV) and the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development Department (EESD). Two long-term advisers (LTA’s) are operating out of MOIT – one engaging with EESD, and one engaging with ERAV and EREA.

The DEPP III programme will terminate in 2026 and a new energy programme has not yet been decided on, but some activities related to analysing the need for a possible new phase of the programme can be expected.

Requirements and expectations from the relevant parties
The role of the Long-term Energy Adviser (LTA) will be primarily to assist MOIT, Danish Energy Agency (DEA) and the Danish Embassy to Vietnam (EDK) with the implementation of the interventions of the programme activities related to Development Engagement 1 and 2 and to document and communicate results related hereto. The LTA is the focal point for Danish knowledge and technical advice and responsible for coordination between the partner organizations of Development Engagement 1 and 2. Furthermore, to communicate programme activities and results at various events, workshops and seminars hosted by the MOIT, DEA and EDK as well as other stakeholders.

Other tasks are to provide MOIT with ad hoc technical support based on Danish experiences.The partner organisations are responsible for implementation of programme activities and includes MOIT, DEA and EDK:

• MOIT hosts the LTA incl provides a work station within the partner institution, relevant materials, information and data for supporting capacity building and allocation in-kind of hours of partner staff to collaborate with the LTA.
• The DEA team will among other tasks provide TA for programme activities, be responsible for international consultant coordination as well as budget and accounting. The DEA team will be a direct link to the Danish Government approach and allow for access of relevant materials, information and data for supporting the work of the LTA.
• The EDK will allocate in-kind hours of staff to support with the LTA on on-boarding, networking, event planning and implementation of activities. The LTA will refer and report to the Manager of MOIT Project Management Unit at the MOIT, to the Country Team Leader at the DEA and to the relevant Senior Programme Manager at the EDK.

The LTA should expect to contribute to the development of a possible next phase of the energy programme as needed. This development process will be led by Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and EDK, but the LTA’s technical insight and expertise can be requested to provide input to the content and scope of a possible next phase.

Expected composition of the selection committee
Applicants for the position will be selected for interview by Danish Energy Agency, the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities, the Royal Danish Embassy in Hanoi in collaboration with MOIT, who will also be represented at the job interview. Danish Energy Agency will lead the process of appointment by conducting tests and interviews with the selected candidates, as well as lead the final interview. The final interview panel consists of: the Danish Energy Agency, representative from Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate, Royal Danish Embassy in Hanoi and representatives from MOIT.

The position Title:
Senior Adviser (N1)

Place of service:
- Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOIT), Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam, Hanoi, Vietnam

Terms of employment:
Contract period: 1 year. Attractive remuneration package. Contribution to a pension scheme, health insurance and reimbursement of school fees. House/flat rent paid by the embassy. For more details please refer to Danida’s Staff Regulations – Advisers on Long-term Assignments: https://um.dk/da/om-os/stillinger/raadgiverstillinger-finansieret-af-danida/bilaterale-raadgivere/

Please note that the status of this position does not fall under Danish diplomacy (høj vejkode).

Area of responsibility/tasks:
The main responsibility of the LTA will be to serve 1) as an expert on developing capacity within energy planning under the capacity development for long-range energy sector planning, 2) as an expert on developing capacity within technical power regulations and integration of renewable energy in the electricity system; 3) as an expert on building capacity within offshore wind and in other related programme activities within the Energy Partnership Program between Vietnam and Denmark. As LTA to the capacity development for long-range energy sector planning, the LTA is expected to:

• Contribute to capacity development with regards to data collection, synthesizing, documenting and consolidation among stakeholders, including establishment of a framework for continued updating of the data needed for modelling, and to quality assure data collected.
• Contribute to capacity development with regards to development of relevant policy scenarios and subsequent modelling as well as the interpretation of modelling results, and disseminate the results from previous Energy Outlook Reports. Additionally, provide input to analyses and reports that are made in the programme (e.g. Technology Catalogues, data sheets, data reports), official government planning exercises (such as revision of power and energy plans) and provision of quality assurance.
• Contribute to capacity development with regards to operation and development of relevant models for energy sector analysis such as e.g. Balmorel, TIMES and PSS/E and analysis results.
• Contribute to capacity development with regards to development of instructions or guidelines for material of training courses and related activities.

As LTA to the capacity development within technical power regulations and integration of renewable energy in the energy system, the LTA is expected to:

• Contribute to capacity development based on Danish experiences with regards to technical and market regulation of stakeholders (e.g. TSO, DSOs, system and market operators, retailers, generators and consumers) in the electricity sector as for instance development and implementation of grid connection requirements.
• Contribute to capacity development based on Danish experiences in increasing the ability to integrate variable renewable energy including increased flexibility from generation and demand.
• Contribute to capacity development based on Danish experiences in power system operation and development of technical regulations with the overall purpose of increasing the ability of the system to integrate more variable renewable energy.
• Contribute to capacity development based on Danish experiences in Demand Response and power system flexibility.

As adviser on offshore wind energy the LTA is expected to:

• Provide technical assistance and develop capacity in the MOIT and related agencies (EREA and ERAV) on offshore wind energy in general, but in particular government practices and regulation
• Contribute to strengthening the capacity of MOIT and relevant agencies in setting up the regulatory structure that will govern the development of offshore wind energy in Vietnam in a cost-efficient way.

Furthermore, the LTA is expected to:

• Identify needs of the relevant Vietnamese partners and facilitate technical assistance from the DEA team in Denmark
• Facilitate close coordination and communication between the partner organisations, including status meetings and reporting about short term progress and plans
• Preparation and participation in programme missions to Vietnam and study tours to Denmark.
• Communicating programme activities and results including stakeholder consultation and speaking at energy sector events.
• Providing support on development of ToRs for technical assistance and other input, working with MOIT to select consultants, follow-up on consultants work progress and commenting on their deliverables and reports.
• Provide input to Work Programme development and progress report drafting
• Planning and preparation of programme workshops and events
• Keep updated on energy sector development and establish a personal network with development partners, civil society organisations and private sector.
• Provide input and/or report to policy dialogues relevant for the partners and the entire DEPPIII as requested incl. preparation of policy briefs or background notes as required by MOIT, DEA and EDK.
• Support the programme secondary strategic objectives by actively explore possibilities for the engagement of Vietnamese and Danish private sector actors, Vietnamese civil society, multilateral agencies (such as IRENA, OECD and IEA) and academia in programme activities as well as increasing programme policy outreach e.g. to the Vietnamese National assembly.
• On behalf of the Danish Embassy, to act as co-chair of the Technical Working Group on Strategic Power Sector planning under the Vietnam Energy Partnership Group.
• Prepare recommendations, memo based on her/his technical advice if MOIT, DEA required.
• Follow the working framework (e.g. Programme Document and Work Programmes) approved by the Steering Committee.

Success criteria

• Successfully support MOIT in best practices within long-range energy sector modelling and planning, integration of renewable energy and offshore wind regulatory framework development and communicate results as concrete policy inputs.
• Successfully support MOIT to continue to use long-range energy modelling and competencies within integration of renewable energy in policy development as well as actively lead the offshore wind regulatory framework development after the end of the Partnership Programme.
• Provide strategic policy and technical advice of high quality and relevance in areas that the bilateral partnership programme is active.
• Deliver expediently technical inputs required for the completion of programme activities.
• Provide high quality input on identification and recruitment of appropriate international and national consultants.
• Successfully coordinate with the Danish Embassy in Vietnam, Vietnamese partners and stakeholders, and DEA.
• Successfully document and communicated results of programme activities.
• Successfully engage proactively with a wide range of actors across government, business and organizational sectors to ensure ownership, legitimacy and effectiveness of programme activities.
• Successfully together with partner organisations develop best practice solutions with maximum relevance of value for MOIT.

Requirements and expectations concerning the formal qualifications of the candidate

• A master level degree or corresponding qualifications in energy/environmental management, economics, political science, engineering and/or subjects relevant to renewable energy could be relevant
• Solid knowledge of The Danish energy system and the Danish Energy policy incl. long-term energy sector planning and integration of renewable energy in the power system is a requirement
• Extensive experience working with one or more related fields such as: energy data collection and statistics, energy system modelling, measures for integration of renewable energy, power system operation, electricity market development, regulation of the energy sector incl. offshore wind energy, renewable energy planning
• Project management and coordination experience and experience from delivery of technical assistance, exchange visits and technical secondments
• Experience from developing countries, preferably Vietnam will be an advantage
• Knowledge of the renewable energy technology providers is an advantage
• Fluency in English, written and spoken, is required. Fluency in Danish or Vietnamese is an advantage.
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Experienced in giving presentations to workshop and other events.

Requirements and expectations concerning the personal qualifications of the candidate

• Openness towards and understanding of different cultures and capacity to work in a different cultural setting
• Inter-personal skills with a high level of initiative and diplomacy
• Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team with relations to different ministries and stakeholders
• Capacity to manage and facilitate working processes involving parties at different levels
• Medical certificate showing that you are fit for mission.

Recruitment procedures How to apply: You apply via www.ens.dk/job. Use the "Search for the position" function on the job posting. Your motivated application with CV, diploma incl. grade overview and any other appendices must be entered no later than 8 December 2024. Documents must be in English.

Deadline for applications: 8 December 2024 at 23.59 CEST

Interviews: week 50 and 51.

Test: Candidates must be prepared to complete test.

Expected commencement: 1st of February 2025 or as soon as possible. The Danish Energy Agency will be handling the recruitment process. When you apply, you accept that your information and documents will be exchanged between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Danish Energy Agency. Candidates will be contacted by the Danish Energy Agency if in consideration for the position. For further information about the position please contact Ulrik Eversbusch (+45 41 53 26 46) or Loui Algren (+45 33 92 67 61). Read more about how the Danish Energy Agency handle personal data: https://ens.dk/om-os/energistyrelsens-behandling-af-personoplysninger