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Consultancy - Terms of Reference

Private Sector Engagement Specialist, Consultant

USAID Clean Power Asia Program, Bangkok Based

Abt Associates, a global leader in technical assistance, program implementation and international development, seeks qualified individuals to undertake a Consultancy for the USAID Clean Power Asia program. The consultant will be a Private Sector Engagement Specialist, reporting to the Deputy Chief of Party.  This consultancy is for a maximum of 40 hours per week, with an expected maximum duration of 119 days Level of Effort. The consultant will primarily work from the Abt Associates Bangkok office, with travel as requited.  The consultancy is based in Bangkok, Thailand, and is open to all applicants, however, preference is for Thai Nationals. The consultant is required to be able to work in Thailand without any assistance or sponsorship from Abt Associates.  No allowances or relocation will be paid.

The purpose of USAID Clean Power Asia is to accelerate the regional transition to high performing, low carbon power sector. The Activity will assist the governments of the Lower Mekong and other developing countries in Asia in energy planning and help establish effective policy, regulatory, and technical environment for low-emissions growth in the power sector, while simultaneously attracting public- and private-sector investment in Renewable Energy (RE) development. USAID Clean Power Asia is focused on the following resources: solar, wind, small hydro (<15 MW), and biomass residues.

The program will initially focus on the four Lower Mekong countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, and will include activities on the ASEAN regional level.

Overall Responsibilities

The Private Sector Engagement Specialist will be an expert in private sector dynamics in Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam and will have a good track record of working with bilateral donors/international organizations in a related area. S/he will report to the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) and work closely with program teams to develop a private sector engagement plan aligned with the workplan including required annexes.

Consultant Specific Responsibilities

• Study the private sector landscape in Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam and analyze engagement opportunities.
• Identify key actors in the private sector such as institutions including the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, public private partnerships, international financial institutions, regional institutions, and others.
• Identify champions/leaders in key of RE industry (and related industries) value chain.
• Identify key entry points for engagement with the private sector.
• Develop an Engagement Plan for the private sector in the context of the workplan and specific inputs into the project portfolio where opportunities for private sector engagement exists, engagement should focus two tracks investment mobilization for new RE projects, and CSR initiatives in expert of overall program objective.
• Ensure that the Engagement Plan aligns with the objectives of the DCOP.
• Build and maintain a database and network of private sector partners.
• Recommend steps to be taken based on the identified key entry points, differentiating between preliminary and follow-up activities.
• Organize and facilitate introductory meeting(s) between potential partners.
• The Private Sector Engagement Specialist will provide advice to program staff on how to engage the private sector in-country via a variety of means (proactive networking, private sector roundtables, etc.).

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in business management, financial, public relations, international development or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of professional and practical experience working with private sector.
• Minimum 2 years working experience with international organizations.
• Experience in developing partnerships in the context of international development, including identifying partnership opportunities, brokering and cultivating relationships, designing partnership arrangements, facilitating partner negotiations, and formalizing partnership deal structures.
• Excellent organizational skills; strong analytical, research, data gathering, ability to manage technical team and long-term strategic partnership, multi-dimension partners, people skill for conflict resolution and negotiation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written); commitment to working with a distributed team and result oriented collaboration with colleagues.
• Fluency or native-level English language ability.
• Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office).
• Ability to work rapidly with multiple teams in various locations, and as required, as well as work remotely;

Application Procedure

Interested candidates may express their interest by email cparecruitment@abtassoc.com  referencing “Private Sector Engagement Specialist” in the subject line. Due to the urgent nature of this recruitment; application will only be accepted until October 18^th 2017. To be considered, your email MUST INCLUDE the following information:

1. A written expression of interest summarizing your qualifications for the scope of work.
2. CV clearly indicating work/consulting history and either daily consulting rate or annual compensation for each consultancy/position, stated in currency of payment.
3. Preference will be given to Thai nationals and candidates with immediate availability and clearly state.
4. If you wish to be considered for a full time employment or to be consultancy.

Additional Documentation

If a candidate is selected for an interview, the following documents will be required (while not required in application, you may choose to submit these with your application package:

1. US Federal Form 1420 (EBD) https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-1420-17
2. Proof of Education/Degree attained (transcript or diploma)
3. Proof of annual salary or daily consulting rate as stated in the EBD (acceptable forms include employment agreement, pay stubs, employer verification letter).

Due to the volume of anticipated applicants, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Interviews will be scheduled as warranted and may be conducted in person or via electronic means.

Abt Associates is doing business as Abt Associates Thailand, registered with the Thailand Department of Commerce.  Abt Associates is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce.