Consultant: National expert on financial and technological sustainability of District Heating in Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, 3 months (office based)

Описание

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, hope...

UNICEF Ukraine 

Background:

In Ukraine the District Heating sector provides heat for buildings to around 40% of the population, with focus on the large residential buildings in cities. Private households, in contrast, use individual heating systems, mostly gas fired.

With ageing infrastructure, outdated technology and low revenues it is difficult for DH utilities to provide the necessary services. Consumers are looking for alternative, individual heating solutions if possible, which leads to an even more difficult situation of District Heating.

Possible mitigation measures are known and tested in some places in Ukraine, like, for example the city of Zhytomyr:

Private companies can step in and sell their surplus heat to the district heating utility at far lower costs than the price set by the tariff system. Alternative heat sources like municipal waste, biogas, wood or heat pumps are attractive, cost-efficient solutions, reducing risk and improving resilience. Reduction of heat loss in the district heating system, increase of efficiency of equipment and automation, and introduction of metering systems lead to significant cost reductions.

Major obstacles for private public partnerships in heat production and for diversification into alternative heat sources are the current legislation including subsidies hindering private investors to engage in the heat sector, and the tariff system.

Purpose of assignment:

This assignment aims at exploring a new approach to ensuring affordable heat supply for the population by creating feasible conditions for private sector investment in heat generation and supply as well as fostering the use of alternative energy sources and efficiency measures.

The study proposed shall serve as a basis for a new policy and legislation in District Heating and, at the same time, provide practicable recommendations to District Heating utilities towards financial and technological sustainability.

How can you make a difference? 

Work assignment overview:

The work is provided in four parts:

Part 1: Case study Zhytomyr not part of this assignment

Part 2: Analysis of five selected Ukrainian District Heating companies

In cooperation with the International expert, lead

•Development of concept and key indicators for assessment of district heating companies in Ukraine regarding economic risks, considering current legislation and future possible legislation

•Elaboration of questionnaire to district heating utilities

•Survey of five selected District Heating utilities

•Analysis of the five cases 41 days

Part 3: Proposal of improvements on the Regulatory Framework for District Heating in Ukraine

In cooperation with the International expert

• Analysis of existing legislation and tariff system in Ukraine

• Comparison with selected international legislation which is compatible with EU legislation

• Proposal of improvements to the legislation to foster private investment, cost transparency and effectiveness, economic sustainability and efficiency, use of alternative energy sources, and improved service levels. 10 days Deliverable Deadline # of w/days

Part 2, D1:

Concept note on key indicators and methodology for assessment of District Heating companies – support Questionnaire, sent to 5 District Heating utilities - lead Compilation and analysis of questionnaires and additional information to a survey of the 5 District Heating companies - lead Draft report and presentation kit - lead Presentation and discussion of concept and interim findings from 5 DH utilities’ survey and analysis, in a meeting with the Ministry-lead 31 October 2025 20 days Part 2, D2: Final report and presentation slides - lead 21 November 2025 14 days Part 2, D3: Workshop with stakeholders (see part 3, D3) - lead 05 December 2025 7 days

Part 3, D1:

Concept note on Ukrainian tariff system and legislation in comparison to EU compatible international legislation - lead Concept note on improvements of existing Ukraine legislation regarding private investment, cost transparency and effectiveness, economic sustainability and efficiency, use of alternative energy sources, and improved service levels - support Presentation and discussion of concept, interim findings from analysis and comparison of legislation and proposals for improvements in a meeting with the Ministry - support 31 October 2025 8 days Part 3, D2: Final report and presentation slides - lead 21 November 2025 2 days Part 3, D3: Workshop with stakeholders - lead 05 December 2025 Before any field mission, Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE) and Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) trainings must be completed. The 4-day training schedule must be agreed upon with the security team. 4 days Grand total: 55 days

Travel Plan:

Estimated assignment-related travel days - 8 days (5 trips).

Security trainings (SSAFE&IFAK), Lviv/Kyiv - 4 days

Please provide an all-inclusive financial proposal including travels to carry out the deliverables listed above.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Education: Master's degree or higher in one of the following fields is required: engineer with expertise in economics or economist with expertise in engineering; disciplines: energy technology, district Heating.

Professional experience: Minimum 10 years of experience in the energy sector in a senior position or as a consultant, participation or lead of studies with strategic focus.

Languages: 

Ukrainian: Proficient/Native [C2]; English: Proficient/Native [C2].

Skills and competencies:

Communication skills with stakeholders from utilities, municipalities and government Excellent team player (cooperation with International expert and UNICEF WASH experts) Creation of reports and high quality presentations

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

 UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.