Within the framework of the regional cooperation component, Balkans Policy Research Group (BPRG) is seeking to contract an energy expert to cover the topic area of Energy Security in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The energy expert will be part of a greater team and will work jointly with other WB6 (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) country level experts who are committed to address the energy policy developments, challenges, and gaps in the Western Balkans region.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised serious concerns over the security of energy supply. These threats persist across the European Union, as well as its neighboring countries, including the Western Balkans region. Hence, we are looking for an expert/ consultant that acquire thorough expertise, is able to deliver high quality policy writing, and have in-depth knowledge of energy policy in BiH, WB region, and EU level. 

Scope of Work

This activity aims at tracking energy security developments, identifying key challenges in the Western Balkans, as well as to address the ways that the WB6 governments can become more resilient to energy security threats. Within the framework of this activity, the expert/consultant is required to collaborate and work together with other the WB6 experts, with BPRG staff, to deliver analysis on the energy security of the region.

Type: Nationals of the WB6 countries and/or internationals.

General Requirements

• Jointly with other experts, as well as in full compliance with, and under the supervision of Lead Expert contribute to develop a research plan, including methodology and outline;
• Develop a policy paper on the topic of BiH’s Energy Security, as well as to the comprehensive analyses of the overall WB6 Energy;
• Research and analyze the impact of the new emerging crises (Russia’s War in Ukraine) in BiH and other WB6 energy of supply as well as its effect on energy markets;
• Ensure that the policy report is in-line with the paper outline provided by BPRG;
• Conduct interviews, questionnaires and surveys with a range of stakeholders including government institutions, international organizations, the business community and civil society for BiH and the overall WB6;
• Ensure to adopt, edit, revise and review the country specific analyses, and the integrated comprehensive policy report based on BPRG requirements;
• Upon the completion of analyses for each WB6 country by other regional partners, work together to integrate all the analyses into a one comprehensive/uniformed policy report;

Qualifications

The expert is required to have the following qualifications and experience:

• An advanced degree in energy policy, political science, economics, management, public policy/administration or other related fields;
• At least 3- 5 years of relevant professional experience and detailed working knowledge in the policy area of energy with regional expertise on WB6 country-specific and regional level;
• Excellent knowledge of policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks in energy sectors in the WB6 and EU;
• Through knowledge of energy challenges including energy supply, energy diversification, efficiency, renewables, as well as integration and interconnection of WB6 in energy markets and EU;
• Demonstrated high-level quality of writing policy papers, analyses, and reports on energy-related topics; 
• An understanding of the issues and policies of the governments of WB6 including regional cooperation organisations, initiatives, and mechanisms in the energy field.
• Demonstrated skills and ability in program-related research (quantitative and qualitative) from design to field research and analysis.
• Experience in conducting complex, multiphase research and executing mixed method research studies including interviews, questionnaires and surveys.
• Fluency in another regional language of the Western Balkans (Albanian, Serbo-Croatian, Macedonian) is preferable.

Guiding Principles

While offering expert advice, the Expert must demonstrate specific diligence with regard to:

1. In-depth knowledge and up to date insights on the energy security developments in BiH, the region and the EU;
2. Access to governmental institutions, agencies and other institutional sectors in BiH and regional levels;
3. High quality of policy drafting and writing;
4. Open-minded and unbiased opinions and analyses;

All interested experts/consultants must present the following for the qualification process

• a curriculum vitae of no more than two pages in English;
• a motivation letter in English, composed of no more than1000 words explaining how this role fits the experts background;
• documentation of previous research that relates to the energy security and other energy-related areas on WB6 country-specific, regional and/or EU level.

The closing date for applications is14 July 2022 

Full applications with the email subject “Energy Expert” should be sent to [email protected]

Administrative Information 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Contract and Fees for the assignment will be negotiated individually with the successful candidate.