Location: Pristina

Deadline for submitting the application: 01/07/2025 

Start date: 01/08/2025 

Contract type: Limited 

Contract term (months): 12.00 

1.                           JOB DETAILS

Position: Energy Efficiency Expert - Kosovo

Location: Prishtina, Kosovo

Deadline for submitting the application: 01/07/2025

Start date: ASAP 01/08/2025

Contract type: Limited

Contract term (months): 12

2.                           Purpose of the function

The specific objective of the project KSV/024 “Energy transition and climate mitigation” is to promote and facilitate the adoption of EE and Renewable Energy (RE) sources in Kosovo's transition to clean energy. By supporting the adoption of EE practices and RE sources, the project aims to optimize energy consumption, reduce carbon emissions, and foster a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sector. The project aims to achieve its objectives by supporting regulatory reform in areas related to RE and EE and by providing capacity development support to Ministry of economy (MoE), Ministry of environment, spatial planning and infrastructures (MESPI), Kosovo Energy Efficiency Fund (KEEF) and other stakeholders in the clean energy field.

The EE Expert will actively contribute to the achievement of the project objectives by:

• Provide technical expertise and knowledge in the field of EE measures to government counterparts, NGO partners, other partners including donors on best practices in EE solutions to support national strategy on renovation of buildings and accompanying regulations implementation.
• Support the functionalization of the Department of Spatial Planning, Buildings and Housing with technical assistance, technical training and knowledge in EE.
• Provide technical expertise and support for capacity building to MESPI in the areas of EE and small-scale RE.
• Provide support to MESPI and KEEF in energy performance auditing, implementing procedures for energy assessors and independent HVAC experts.
• Serve as a technical advisor on EE to municipalities.
• Provide technical expertise in the design and delivery of certified training programs.
• Support implementation of guidelines, regulations and other requirements coming from the Law on Energy Performance of Buildings.

In this respect the Energy Efficiency Expert plays an important part in achieving all three of the projects results: “Result 1: the implementation of RE and EE measures is being improved through increased support to the ministries and other relevant institutions involved”, “Result 2: the regulatory framework for RE and EE is strengthened”, and “Result 3: access to financial mechanisms for small-scale RE and EE is improved”.

They are responsible for the operationalisation and designing of project activities, ensuring coherence with the activities supported by other donors, supporting the development of capacities, and facilitating communication.

3.                           MAIN TASKS

Below is a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities under each of the role’s main tasks.

Task 1:  Support MESPI to carry out EE programs and other related activities

• Conduct technical analysis, with a focus on departments related to RE and EE measures in MESPI, MoE and KEEF.
• Support Energy Performance Auditing of selected buildings to provide valuable insights into energy consumption patterns and help optimize energy usage
• Review existing documentation, policies, and strategic plans to confirm compliance with legislation and model scenarios that enable the achievement of national goals.
• Support beneficiaries in validating draft National Strategy for the Renovation of Buildings (NSRB) with Energy Community Secretariat (ECS)/EU Office in Kosovo and incorporate all recommendations.
• Support delivery of NSRB Implementation Plan.
• Support MESPI with the functionalization of the Chamber of Engineers and Chamber of Architects. 

• Prepare and/or oversee technical training programs and presentations for workshops to support capacity building within MESPI.
• Work with MoE and MESPI to support the development and revision of legislation, regulations, and guidelines that promote international best practices and standards.
• Manage and monitor technical activities related to implementation of MESPI programs.

Task 2: Provide capacity building and technical assistance to a selected number of municipalities, with a strong representation of women.

• Assess the technical capacity building needs of the selected municipalities, taking into account their current and anticipated roles in supporting MESPI and KEEF initiatives, as well as broader climate mitigation efforts.
• Provide technical expertise in the development of the Draft Regulation on Requirements for New Systems, Replacement, and Upgrading of Technical Systems in Buildings, including the Smart Readiness Indicator.
• Contribute technical input to the Draft Administrative Instruction on Incentives to Promote Energy Efficiency Improvements in New and Existing Buildings.
• Support the finalization and approval process for the Administrative Instruction on energy efficiency incentives, by coordinating with the relevant MESPI department.
• Draft Terms of Reference (ToR), support procurement of required services or expertise, and oversee planning, implementation, and monitoring of related activities.
• Organize lessons learned and knowledge-sharing events, prepare regular progress reports, and ensure validation by beneficiaries. Promote the institutionalization and long-term retention of technical knowledge and results.

Task 3:  Support the MoE and MESPI in the design of a comprehensive EE certified training programme.

• In collaboration with the capacity building expert, conduct a technical training needs assessment for a certified program RE installations and EE measures, in close coordination with MoE, MESPI, and KEEF.
• Identify potential partners and relevant training and certification institutions and develop a draft training and certification program for review and approval by MESPI and/or other stakeholders.
• Lead or support the implementation of training and certification activities, ensuring high professional standards, quality delivery, and alignment with project objectives. Prepare all related reports, secure beneficiary approvals, and organize capitalization and knowledge-sharing events.
• Provide technical input for the development of the Draft Regulation on the Training, Qualification, and Licensing of Energy Independent Experts.
• Support the revision of the existing Draft Regulation on the Inspection Process for Heating and Air Conditioning Systems, including provisions on fees, procedures, and reporting requirements.

Task 4:  Strengthen the capacities of the officials responsible for EE in MESPI

• Lead the implementation of energy performance audits for selected buildings to generate insights into energy consumption patterns and identify opportunities for optimization. Prepare technical specifications in line with the regulatory framework, draft ToRs, obtain necessary approvals, and manage the procurement of required services or expertise.
• Oversee and monitor the audit process to ensure timely, high-quality delivery. Draft all required reports, organize dissemination workshops (including a mid-process session), and integrate lessons learned into the activity. Ensure that collected data aligns with the newly established monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system, supporting evidence-based decision-making.

Task 5: Support the Implementation of robust M&E system (under MESPI)

• Support the development of an M&E framework for energy efficiency, including the identification of relevant indicators, data sources, verification methods, and reporting procedures. Document the entire process to ensure transparency and replicability.
• Organize necessary workshops and training events and ensure the M&E system is fully operational, with trained staff, clear procedures, and comprehensive user manuals in place.

Task 6: Support the establishment/improvement of financial mechanisms to support RE projects and energy efficient initiatives.

• Provide engineering-based technical expertise for the design and introduction of new or enhanced financial mechanisms for RE and EE deployment. Engage relevant stakeholders, draft technical specifications as needed and ensure thorough technical reviews of proposals and submitted projects.
• Organize training sessions for potential applicants to the Innovation Fund grant scheme, focusing on technical requirements and specifications. Ensure that credit and grant applications are supported by solid technical justifications.
• Carry out additional tasks as assigned by the Project Manager, ensuring the timely and high-quality completion of all deliverables aligned with the project's objectives.

4.                           COMMUNICATION

• Daily contact with the PM and project team of KSV/024.
• Regular contact with the MoE, KEEF, MESPI and other beneficiaries. 
• Regular contact with other RE and EE ecosystem actors in Kosovo.
• Contact with technical and financial partners offering complementary instruments to support the private and residential sectors in RE and EE implementation.

5.                           COMPETENCY PROFILE

General qualifications:

• Master's degree in engineering, preferably in civil or architecture (or close), ideally in RE and/or EE with 5 years of experience; or BSc and 8 years of experience.
• Experience in energy performance during the renovation of buildings.
• Energy Auditor certification or licensing is preferred.
• Very good knowledge of legal and regulatory environment for RE and EE in Kosovo.
• Expertise in RE and EE technologies, implementation, and requirements of EE deployment.
• Very good knowledge of the RE and EE ecosystem in Kosovo; with a focus on technical aspects.
• Understanding of legal and regulatory environment for RE and EE in Kosovo.
• Familiarity with software used for energy modeling is an advantage.
• Fluent written and spoken Albanian and excellent English.

Specific qualifications:

• Experience in conducting energy audits for buildings and understanding of the systems in place (heating, cooling, insulation, lighting, etc.) is essential.
• Understanding of EU regulations like the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
• Good knowledge of EE on public and private buildings, technical requirements, technologies, and deployment.
• Very good knowledge of EE measures from HVAC through grid and distribution optimization to improvement of EE in buildings.
• Good knowledge of past and current EE measures applied in Kosovo, from a technical perspective.
• Proven ability to conduct technical assistance and develop and implement training programs, especially for public institutions in technical areas.
• Experience in facilitating the development of manuals, procedures and “quick learning kits” in energy, RE/EE or very close fields.
• Excellent knowledge of M&E principles and approaches in EE or very close fields