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Consultancy - Terms of Reference

Market Analysis, Lao PDR

USAID Clean Power Asia Program

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 conduct a Market Analysis, reporting to Investment Mobilization Lead.  This consultancy is for a maximum of 40 hours per week, with an expected maximum duration of up to 12 days. The consultant will work independently; office space and any other related materials or supplies are not provided. The consultancy is based in Vientiane, Lao PDR, and is open to Lao nationals. The consultant is required to be able to work in Lao PDR without any assistance or sponsorship from Abt Associates.  No allowances or relocation will be paid.

The objective of USAID Clean Power Asia is to accelerate the regional transition to a high performing, low carbon power sector. The program assists the governments of the Lower Mekong and other developing countries in Asia in energy planning and helps establish an effective policy, regulatory, and technical environment for low-emissions growth in the power sector, while simultaneously attracting public- and private-sector investment in RE development. USAID Clean Power Asia is focused on the following resources: solar, wind, small hydro (

In Lao PDR, USAID Clean Power Asia is designing a solar pilot auction activity in coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM). The solar pilot auction would demonstrate the benefits of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to meeting growing power needs in domestic load centers; potentially reduce the need for electricity imports near load centers; and begin to build a local industry of solar PV-focused independent power producers (IPPs).

To support design of the solar pilot auction, a market analysis must be conducted to determine the expected level of competition (i.e., market size, number of potential bidders and investment environment).  The outputs from the market analysis will be used by USAID Clean Power Asia and its subcontractors to design and implement a solar pilot auction in 2018. The findings of the market analysis will be presented at a stakeholder workshop in Vientiane, Lao PDR in mid- November 2017.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for identifying the level and type of market competition expected, including prospective bidders (i.e., existing and potential IPPs), and analyzing the investment environment for grid-connected solar PV power projects in Lao PDR. Key elements of the market analysis to be developed by the consultant include: 

• Mapping market actors: national and international market players (developers/investors).
• Inquiring about the interest and perceived risks of market actors in participating in an auction, and analyzing the ease of translating interest by market actors and risk mitigation into auction participation.
• Identifying and analyzing the pipeline of solar PV projects: number of projects, average project size in the pipeline, project holder and planned capacity

Specific activities in the market analysis may include:

• Conduct desk research and interviews with relevant stakeholders including key existing players (e.g., EDL-Gen, domestic and foreign IPPs, etc.), potential new players, financial institutions (e.g., local banks, ADB, AFD, etc.) following the guiding questionnaire
• Identify potential bidders for solar pilot auction in Lao PDR utilizing input from research and interviews with stakeholders and provide contact data on potential bidders to USAID Clean Power Asia so they could be considered for invitation to stakeholder workshops.
• Prepare an overview of the risks that potential project developers and investors, domestic and foreign, perceive. This concerns particularly the bankability of the PPA awarded in the auction (e.g. how off-taker, currency and inflation risks are being perceived). The overview should also include the industry’s recommendations on investment risk concerns (e.g., market, regulations, financing, bankability of the PPA), as well as desired policy incentives governing the solar auction in Lao PDR
• Share and discuss findings with, and incorporate feedback from USAID Clean Power Asia and its subcontractors. Ample communication and efficient coordination by email and teleconferences between the consultant and USAID Clean Power and subcontractors is crucial. The working language is English.
• Report market analysis including the expected level of competition and concerns on market, regulatory and finance conditions for investment in solar power projects. A draft report will be presented to USAID Clean Power and subcontractors for comments.

Completing these duties and responsibilities will require a combination of desktop research and interviews with relevant stakeholders. A guiding questionnaire will be provided by USAID Clean Power Asia and its subcontractors.

Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for satisfactory completion of the following deliverables:

• A detailed English-language report on market analysis for a solar pilot auction in Lao PDR, including the expected level of competition and risk concerns for investment in solar power projects in Lao PDR (attached interview excerpts in the annex) – 10 days level of effort
• Follow-up ad-hoc questions after submitting the report – 2 days level of effort

The consultant is expected to submit the report on market analysis no later than November 8, 2017.

Required Qualifications

• Fluency in Lao language and professional working proficiency in English
• A master’s degree in one of the following areas, or other relevant field: business, marketing, economics, energy, business administration or related disciplines
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in related areas: consulting or market research, business development, project finance, public administration, etc.
• Good understanding of energy project development and finance process
• Expertise in survey/ interview design and delivery
• Excellent network of contacts and profound knowledge of energy stakeholders present in Lao PDR
• Commitment and passion for renewable energy.
• Ability to work under pressure and independently.

Application Procedures

Interested candidates may express their interest by emailing cparecruitment@abtassoc.com referencing “Market Analysis – Lao PDR” in the subject line.

Candidates will be evaluated on a rolling basis. 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.

Interested Candidates are reminded of the following:

• This consultancy is for a maximum of 40 hours per week, with an expected maximum duration of up to 12 days level of effort.
• The consultant will work independently but must be present in Vientiane, Lao PDR, in order to complete the work.
• The consultant is required to be able to work in Lao PDR without any assistance or sponsorship from Abt Associates. No allowances or relocation will be paid.

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.