Result of Service

Performs the duties as assigned.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

It should be noted that this is a full time consultancy. The duration of the assignment is six (6) months. The Business Implementation (Report) is to be delivered in full within the six-month timeline and the intermediate deliverables will be further specified in the contract.

THE ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is the United Nations (UN) designated organization in charge of ensuring continuous leadership on environmental issues relating to international civil aviation, including the reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. In this regard, ICAO provides capacity-building assistance to its Member States to help them deploy cleaner fuels for aviation, develop States Action Plans and implement measures to mitigate CO2 emissions from international aviation. Coherent with its No Country Left Behind initiative, ICAO launched in 2013 the first ICAO Assistance Project with European Union (EU) Funding, successfully supporting 14 States in Africa and the Caribbean during its first phase and five States from the Eastern and Southern African Region, and five from the Western and Central African Region on its second phase. Seven feasibility studies have been conducted in certain selected States to date. Information on these project and the final results, can be found here. Building on this successful implementation, ICAO initiated in 2024 a new series of Assistance Projects with funding from States and organizations, in support of the ICAO ACT-SAF global initiative launched in 2022, aiming to provide opportunities for States to develop their full potential in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) development and deployment. Working under the overall guidance and coordination of the ICAO Office of Environment, the consultant will conduct a comprehensive business implementation study on the development and deployment of SAF in the designated Supported State and develop an implementation roadmap, in close cooperation with the State. This study aims to support the future development of SAF eligible under CORSIA and provide guidance to the State on any current progress on the technical, regulatory and economic measures, in place or need to be planned, for the development and deployment of SAF to contribute to the mitigation of CO2 emissions from international civil aviation and achieve the objectives of the ICAO Global Framework for SAF, LCAF and other Aviation Cleaner Energies. The study will conclude with a report aimed at facilitating access to financing and funding, in line with the identified State’s needs, towards investment decisions for a SAF production facility in the identified State. As key result, this study will fulfil the objectives of the ICAO ACT-SAF, support the future deployment of SAF eligible under CORSIA, and align with the Long-Term Global Aspiration Goal (LTAG) for international aviation. This project will also set into implementation, the actions identified in the ICAO Global Framework for SAF, LCAF and other Aviation Cleaner Energies, in particular Building Block 3 – Implementation Support, and Building Block 4 – Financing. It should help the implementation of national strategies and roadmaps that effectively contribute towards increased production and uptake of SAF and for its integration in their ICAO State Action Plans for CO2 emission reduction. These studies may vary on size complexity and scope depending on specific circumstances of the State in the moment of launching the project and on the analysis of whether previous work was undertaken, so the definition of the Study will avoid any duplications a be adapted to such context. The ICAO Air Transport Bureau (ATB)/ Environment (ENV) Branch will be responsible for overseeing this activity and ensuring that the programme and implementation activities meet the various UN regulations and standards of the supporting States and Organizations. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Consultant will report to the ICAO ENV Branch and the Technical Coordinator, and is expected to submit weekly reports in English outlining the work undertaken and updating the progress of the feasibility study. In accordance with the guidelines under the ICAO Assistance Projects and in line with existing ICAO SARPs, policies and guidance in the field of aviation and environment, the Consultant will work in close coordination with the Focal Points of the State, local consultant, national authorities and key stakeholders, to carry out the following activities related to the development of the business implementation study: • Liaises with the Project Coordinator, the Technical Project Consultant and the State’s focal point to define the key objectives, scope and priorities of the study; • Conducts a short pre-business implementation study (waypoint) in the form of a slide deck to determine whether there is potential to undertake a full study; • Develops a work plan adjusted according to the specific circumstances of the State in the moment of launching the project and on the analysis of whether previous work was undertaken, that includes a work breakdown structure (WBS), deliverables, milestones, schedule, risk management plan and an efficient monitoring strategy to conduct the feasibility study, considering previous SAF feasibility studies conducted in the State and any pre-existing literature relevant to State; • Participates in a kick-off meeting and supports the delivery of capacity-building activities during the duration of the project; • Assesses potential synergies with neighboring States through observations of SAF feasibility studies conducted in these States and identifies potential for future collaboration for the development of SAF; • Building on previous work, identifies any developments in the national conditions, legislations, existing structures, relevant aviation, energy and other stakeholders, roles of government and industry, research, investment and best practices, and ongoing and implemented actions in the field of SAF; • Builds on previous feasibility studies identifying of the potential feedstocks, production potential, supply chain, and refining technologies, as well as their technical and regulatory constraints to assess the most suitable business-case to develop SAF supply capacity in the State. This will include: o A deep-dive into at least one shortlisted feedstock pathway, of its sustainability assessments; o Setting out key scenario and assumptions required for a techno-economic assessment. This should factor in right-siting and the operational lifespan of a facility, process/energy inputs, financial parameters, and presence of supporting policy; o Undertake a capital and operational cost assessment, cost/benefit, sensitivity analysis, SAF price determination, and the perspectives for market development in the State and region; • With the support of a local consultant, identifies and liaises with relevant national and regional industry stakeholders with potential capacity to participate in a business case implementation. • Identifies funding and financing barriers, liaises with relevant national, regional and international financing institutions and undertakes an assessment of potential financing mechanisms. • Identifies any additional obstacles and alternatives to overcome the challenges on the technical and training/capacity building needs with regard to the business case implementation. • Assesses the need of enabling national policies and regulations framed in the existing national regulatory context; • Following the ICAO harmonized template, prepares a business implementation study (Report) in English for the State containing an executive summary, the findings on the above items, SAF supply objectives, enabling policy options, recommendations and a proposed industrial implementation roadmap containing guidelines for partner States to develop their SAF market. This should contain elements on (A) Scenario and assumptions, (B) Results from techno-economic assessment, (C) Evaluation of project, (D) Policies, (E) Project financing and recommendation. • The report should be submitted to ICAO for coordination and review, and after consolidation in a final version, which would be ready to be published (with editorial review) and delivered in the forms of both soft and hard copies; • Presents the findings during a one (1) -day workshop held in the State and bringing together the relevant stakeholders; • Performs other related duties that may be assigned.

Qualifications/special skills

Education Essential Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environment and energy with specialization in biofuels, environmental science, chemistry, engineering, public policy, aviation or related field of expertise, is required. A first level university degree in the above-mentioned disciplines in combination with additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional experience Essential • A minimum of 7 years of experience in one or more of the following fields: biofuels and alternative fuels, oil industry, energy or renewable energy, sustainable development, environmental and social impacts assessment. • Knowledge of policies, regulations and certification processes to produce and use SAFs in international aviation. • Progressively responsible experience in providing expert advice on public policy development and implementation in the field of climate change and alternative energy for aviation, as well as expert knowledge of issues related to SAFs and renewable energy. • Knowledge of economics of SAFs, incentive mechanisms, industrial projects and innovative financing and funding. • Ability to collect and analyze information and statistical data quantitatively, conduct complex research, use up-to-date software to compile database and other related work. • International experience providing advisory services to national governments. • Knowledge of ICAO functions and its organizational structure.

Languages

Essential: Fluent reading, writing and speaking abilities in English. Desirable: A working knowledge of any other language of ICAO Member States.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.