Georgian National Consultant - Digital Governance for Integrated and Smart Grids

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which is part of the United Nations system. ESCAP was established in 1947 and is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. The organization aims to promote economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region through regional cooperation and integration. It focuses on various areas including sustainable development, social development, and economic growth, working with member states and stakeholders to address regional challenges. ESCAP operates in multiple countries across the Asia-Pacific region, engaging with governments, civil society, and the private sector to foster inclusive and sustainable development. The organization employs a diverse workforce of professionals from various backgrounds, contributing to its mission of improving the lives of people in the region.

Job Overview:
The position of Georgian National Consultant for Digital Governance is focused on providing technical and analytical support for the development of a country-specific digital governance framework tailored to the power sector. This role is part of a larger initiative under the United Nations Development Account project aimed at creating inclusive and digitalized power grids in countries with special needs. The consultant will work closely with national stakeholders to assess existing digitalization efforts, regulatory frameworks, and institutional capacities in the power sector. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the effective and inclusive digital transformation of integrated and smart grid systems, ensuring that the governance frameworks developed are practical, implementable, and aligned with national development priorities. The consultant will also engage in capacity-building activities, stakeholder consultations, and validation processes to ensure the frameworks are grounded in local realities and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Conducting national mapping and diagnostic assessments of digitalization efforts, regulatory frameworks, and institutional capacities in the power sector, utilizing a shared methodology across beneficiary countries.
• Performing a structured desk review of relevant laws, regulations, strategies, and institutional mandates related to digital governance and smart grids.
• Engaging with stakeholders through interviews and consultations to document ongoing digitalization initiatives and capacity constraints.
• Producing a national mapping and diagnostic report summarizing key findings and recommendations for governance improvement.
• Drafting and refining a country-specific digital governance framework for the power sector, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and ensuring alignment with project objectives.
• Supporting the organization of an inaugural meeting and capacity-building workshops for policymakers and regulators, including preparation of presentation materials.
• Drafting and validating country-specific inputs to the digital governance toolkit, co-created with national stakeholders.
• Ensuring that all deliverables are practical and implementable, aligned with national priorities, and consistent with the project's cross-country methodology.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in fields such as energy, engineering, economics, public policy, or digital governance. Candidates should possess at least 5 to 7 years of relevant professional experience in the energy sector, particularly in policy analysis, regulatory frameworks, institutional assessments, or digitalization initiatives. Experience working with government institutions and utilities is essential, while familiarity with smart grids, digital governance, or power sector reform is considered an asset. The consultant should demonstrate strong analytical skills and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in a relevant field such as energy, engineering, economics, public policy, or digital governance. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of the energy sector and the digital governance frameworks that need to be developed.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have a minimum of 5 to 7 years of relevant professional experience in the energy sector. This experience should include work related to policy analysis, regulatory frameworks, institutional assessments, or digitalization initiatives. Additionally, experience working with government institutions and utilities is required, as well as familiarity with smart grids and digital governance.

Languages:
An excellent command of written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not specified as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 1.8 years, and the consultant will be engaged in a full-time capacity. The position is part of a broader initiative involving multiple countries, and the consultant will be expected to coordinate closely with UN staff and other stakeholders throughout the project. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and fair hiring process.