Vacant position: PALS National Coordinator

The Energy Department of the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) advises that the post of Pacific Appliances Labelling Standards (PALS) National Coordinator is available for internal (within the government) and external (from general public) application.

Interested applicants are required to forward their applications with their “Curriculum Vitae” together with relevant documents such as certificates, transcripts, testimonials and birth certificate and addressed to;

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO
Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communication (MEIDECC)
1st Floor, O.G.Sanft Building
Taufa’ahau Rd.
Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

Submitted applications to be received no later than 4.30pm, Thursday 24^th March, 2016.

All enquiries to the above position should be referred to Mr. Kakau Foliaki at the Energy Department/MEIDECC at 24794 or kfoliaki@mic.gov.to.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Project Position: PALS National Coordinator (PNC)

Ministry: MEIDECC

Department: Energy

Project Title: Pacific Appliance Labelling and Standard Programme

Project Description 

In 2011, a study of the costs and benefits of introducing standards and labels for electrical appliances in Pacific Island Countries projected a saving of about 12%, or 359 GWh per year. The monetary benefits of the energy savings were estimated at between USD 582 million and USD 895 million (undiscounted) over the period 2010 to 2025, depending on the oil price.

This study led to the implementation of the Pacific Appliance Labelling and Standards Programme (PALS) in 2012, funded by the Government of Australia and implemented by the Pacific Community.

The PALS is assisting Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) to implement minimum energy performance standards and labelling (S&L) for energy using equipment such as refrigerators, air conditioners and lighting. Tonga is a Tier 2 country in the PALS in that it has developed a draft legislation and some awareness raising has been carried out. Tier 1 countries are those whose S&L legislation has been enacted by Parliament and have implemented S&L for at least one product. Fiji is the only Tier 1 country in the PALS.

The objectives of the PALS are to:

1. To analyse the appliance markets in the PICTs to inform the development of the appropriate S&L approach in each participating PICT.
2. To build the knowledge and capacity to deliver S&L programmes within SPC and among the officials of participating PICTs.
3. To facilitate Cabinet approval to adopt a S&L Programme and develop regulatory frameworks in participating PICTs.
4. Once PICTs approve the development of regulatory framework, to review their regulatory options and engage in-country legal expertise to draft the necessary legislation and regulations.
5. To assist with draft of legislation, stakeholder engagement and communication materials.

These objectives are in turn expected to result in energy savings, improved trade and gender equality.

1. Scope of Work

Working with the Director of Energy in Tonga, the PALS Project Manager as well as with the Manager of the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, the PNC will assist with the delivery of the PALS so as to lift Tonga to a Tier 1 country, as well as to assist the Project Manager with the general delivery of the PALS.

The PNC will contribute substantially to the delivery of the following:

1. Provide day-to-day management and implementation of the Tonga and regional project activities in accordance with the approved specific annual and quarterly work plans;
2. Provide effective coordination with key stakeholders including other energy efficiency related programmes and projects in the country and in the region;
3. Coordinate and monitor the national activities described in the work plan and provide quarterly financial and physical progress reports to the Energy Division of the Ministry of Environment, Information, Disaster Management, Energy and Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), the PALS Project Manager at SPC and the Manager of the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE);
4. Coordinate project consultation meetings including the coordination of labelling and standards working group meetings;
5. Act as the primary contact point for stakeholder enquiries or concerns relating to the standards and labelling project and serve as the national representative to meetings required by the PALS Programme;
6. Coordinate nationally-managed contracts and consultancies under the project, including reviewing consultancy reports.

1. Expected Outputs

The following outputs are expected of the PNC:

1. Drafted and reviewed draft legislation and regulation for selected electrical appliances using Australia and New Zealand minimum energy performance standards
2. Drafted ToRs and contracts for legal consultants and/or other contracts that will be required under this project
3. Researched and collected data and information regarding legislations and regulations relating to energy efficiency, particularly minimum energy performance labelling and standards
4. Reviewed consultancy reports, particularly the draft legislations and regulations
5. Comparative analysis of the labelling and standard legislations drafted through the PALS programme conducted
6. Awareness publications for the PALS drafted and conducted awareness raising activities to enable the public and school children to understand minimum energy performance standards and energy rating labels and their benefits
7. Newspaper / newsletter articles and press releases about the PALS’s activities and deliverables achieved
8. Training activities under the PALS drafted and training programmes for key stakeholders such as Customs, Consumer Affairs, suppliers/retailers and government energy officials conducted
9. All training activities, regional and national, carried out under the PALS compiled
10. Administrative structure for the administration of the labelling and standards legislations drafted
11. MOUs between Energy Department and key stakeholders such as Customs Department and Consumer Affairs Division of the Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industry drafted
12. Product registration forms and guideline to assist supplier/retailers/importers drafted

1. Institutional Arrangement
2. The PNC will be directly responsible to the Director of Energy and the Project Manager of the PALS and will be stationed at the Energy Department of the MEIDECC, Nuku’alofa, Tonga in the first instance and at the PCREEE office at Nuku’alofa when it is fully established and operationalised.
3. The PNC will be working very closely with the Energy Department of the MEIDECC, the, Consumer Affairs Division, Climate Change Division (MEIDECC), Tonga Power Ltd, Customs and Border Control and the consumer and the business community.

1. Duration of the Work

The assignment will initially be for 12 months between 1st April 2016 and 30th March 2017 and may be extended depending on the availability of funding and performance.

1. Duty Station

The PNC will be stationed at the Energy Department of the MEIDECC, Nuku’alofa, Tonga in the first instance and at the PCREEE when it is fully established and operationalised.

1. Qualifications

The PNC should have a bachelor’s degree preferably in Science/Engineering or Economics and Management and any other related discipline.

1. Experience required
   • 3 years relevant experience in the energy sector or a related sector;
   • Project management experience will be considered a significant advantage;
   • Experience in reviewing consultancy reports, research and data collection as well as conducting and contributing to awareness activities;
   • Experience in conducting and contributing to workshops or professional training exercises.
   • Experience in energy efficiency technologies and applications

1. Other skills required
2. Possess good oral and written communication, organizational/administrative, data analysis and reporting skills;
3. Be able to effectively represent PALS in stakeholder meetings and show confidence in imparting knowledge to industry and other stakeholders;
4. Demonstrated ability to organize work, manage time, determine priorities and meet deadlines;
5. Demonstrated ability to work independently and flexibly, as well as being part of a team;
6. Excellent computer skills including MS Excel.

1. Reporting

The NPC reports directly to the Director of Energy at MEIDECC.

1. Remuneration
2. The NPC will be paid based on the Tonga PSC salary scale for Project Coordinator – Energy Resources, which is at Level 9 salary range of Tonga’s 2015 classification of posts, T$18,314 – T$27,606 per year.

3. National

1. Deliverables

               The PNC is expected to provide the following in a reporting template to be drafted.

Fortnightly

1. Type and number of public awareness activities conducted
2. Type and number of public awareness activities conducted in schools
3. Research and data collection activities conducted
4. One-to-one, group and consultation meetings attended
5. Reports drafted and reviews conducted
6. Stock take of supplies and equipment bought with PALS resources
7. Monthly financial report on PALS advance and acquittals
8. Work Plans for the remaining weeks of the Quarter

Quarterly

1. Type and number of public awareness activities conducted
2. Type and number of public awareness activities conducted in schools
3. Research and data collection activities conducted
4. One-to-one, group and consultation meetings attended
5. Reports drafted and reviews conducted
6. Stock take of supplies and equipment bought with PALS resources
7. Monthly financial report on PALS advance and acquittals
8. Work Plans for the remaining weeks of the Quarter