Biogas Advisor

Re-advertisement: Biogas Advisor

• Hanoi, Vietnam
• Full-time
• Contract type: National employment contract

Company Description

SNV (www.snv.org) is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building on 60 years of experience and grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance. Together with our team of over 1,600 people, our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all.

SNV has been working in Vietnam since 1995 in partnership with government agencies, and local authorities across the agri-food, energy, and water sectors.

The three phased Project “Biogas Program for Animal Husbandry Sector of Viet Nam 2003-2020 (BP) was implemented by the Department of Livestock Production and managed by MARD, with technical assistance from SNV, and financial contribution through ODA from the Netherlands’ Government and other donors. Its overall objective was in line with the development situation of the country and Viet Nam's strategy on renewable energy development and climate change prevention and green growth. It contributed to improve the livelihood and quality of life of rural people in Viet Nam through exploiting the market and on-market benefits of the domestic biogas plants and sector by developing a market-based biogas sector. The main project intervention was to support the construction and installation of biogas plants at household level with high quality to ensure the effectiveness of biogas plant use of households.

The Third Phase (BP III 2016 - 2020) developed a strategy to phase out ODA support, phase in carbon financing, and explore incentive mechanisms (Results Based Financing) to support the development of biogas enterprises; empowering masons and bio-digester installers to become independent sellers. By end of 2020, the Biogas program contributed with 180,000 biodigesters. By developing a stronger involvement of the private sector in the biogas market, Viet Nam benefited from a more reliant and self-sustaining sector.

To pursue the sustainability of the biogas sector, the Biogas Program was registered under the Gold Standard (GS) and has become an important contributor to the global carbon market, as its total credits account for 2.6% of the global credits issued. By the end of BP III in 2020, a total of 3.07 million GS VERs (Verified Emission Reductions) were issued for the BP, accounting for 75% of the total GS carbon credits issued in Viet Nam. Over the period 2016 – 2020, the VERs revenue streams contribution to the total BP budget grew from 10% in 2017 to 63% by the end of 2020. Carbon revenue, therefore, played a critical role in leveraging ODA and enabled the BP to become more self-reliant over time. However, the deployment of the carbon revenue has been contingent to the BP receiving ODA, thus SNV looked into new green financing modalities.

Considering the great achievement of three phase Biogas program, Shell International Eastern Trading Company (SIETCO) provided funding through SNV to continue supporting Viet Nam’s livestock sector in seeking biogas solution for small holders to provide clean and affordable energy to rural households, continue promoting the biogas market to create jobs for rural labour, contributing to rural development and environmental protection. The “Biodigesters Programme for a low-carbon livestock sector in Viet Nam (BioLive)” expected to contribute to GHG emissions reduction for livestock sector to combat the climate change. The project is governed and implemented by SNV over a 12-year period from 2022-2033. The BioLive project builds on the capacities and expertise of SNV after 18 years of experiences in the implementation of the Biogas Programme. Aiming to support the installation of 50,000 new biodigesters for smallholder farmers.

To continue implementing the BioLive project, SNV is looking for Biogas Advisor who will be in charge of trainings to biogas entrepreneurs (BE), biodigester installation verification, coordination with provincial departments and promotion of the biogas market with specific scopes of work and deliverables as well as tasks and responsibilities below:

Job Description

• Close coordination and support to BEs during the implementation of the project, as troubleshoot application problem, technical advice, promote more BEs into the construction/installation of biodigesters, among other support to promote the market.
• Organize the technical training courses for IQCs (Independent Quality Control) & provincial technicians on using of LogAlto; Q-assurance and reporting; training course for Biogas masons & installers on bio-digester construction & assurance, using of LogAlto.
• Closely collaboration with Technical Officer in charge of QC to review, update and finalize the QC procedures and implementation contracts.
• Provide technical support to provincial partners to implement the construction of biogas digester in accordance with workplan and ensure the application of project technical standards.
• Provide guidance and support to provinces to participate in new project when required.
• Conduct on-line and on-site data verification.
• Data base and reporting system maintenance.
• Support project teams on other tasks when required.

The Advisor will work closely with the project team in developing the detailed work plan, provide coordination in arranging the preparation activities that serves the implementation of project and to ensure project will run smoothly and effectively from its beginning and reach the target.

Qualifications

• Proficiency level equivalent to) Bachelor’s degree in environment, energy, developments, or relevant subject.
• At least 5 years of relevant working experience at international organization(s); experience working in biogas sector is a plus.
• Understanding on the biogas sector in Vietnam, their challenges and opportunities.
• Experience in working with provincial governments and departments is desired.
• Experience on monitoring and evaluation is desired.
• Understanding and experience in Result Based Finance mechanism is a plus.
• Good oral and written communication skills (English and Vietnamese).
• Good computer skills in MS-applications (Word, Excel, Internet, Outlook).
• Willing to travel to provinces.

Additional Information

Contract Duration: 1 year (full-time, with possibility of extension based on the performance)
Expected Start Date: ASAP

How to apply?

Join our team by applying today! If you are passionate about making a difference in people's lives and possess the required qualifications, we encourage you to submit your application to this LINK until 5PM, 17th January 2024. At SNV, we value your privacy, and rest assured that all your information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

Applicants will be requested to provide us with the contact details of three people who are willing to act as a reference. We will only contact these references after your explicit permission.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should SNV wish to proceed with your application, two interviews with a Selection Committee will take place.

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Working at SNV:

SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org/careers.

SNV strives to be an inclusive employer, thriving on the diversity of its people and does not discriminate on the base of disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, etc.

At SNV we prioritise safety and security for all employees. We conduct thorough background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.