Result of Service

Perform the duties as assigned.

Work Location

Virtual

Expected duration

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

Duties and Responsibilities

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 feasibility 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. As key result, the feasibility study will identify the State’s potential and enhance their capacity in developing 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 Project’s Technical Coordinator and to Office of Environment 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 Project, 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 designated by the supported State, its national authorities and key stakeholders, to carry out the following activities related to the development of the feasibility study: • Liaises with the Project Coordinator, the Local project Consultant (where applicable) and the State’s designated focal point to foster a mutual understanding of the key objectives, scope and priorities of the study; The key objectives, scope, timeline and priorities of the feasibility study will be provided to the consultant at the start of the contract. • Conducts a short pre-feasibility study (Waypoint) to confirm the added value of undertaking a full study. This study will take a few days and will be based on desk research, as well as information provided by the supported State, if any. The deliverable will be in the form of a slide deck to be presented at the ‘Waypoint meeting’. • 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 any pre-existing SAF feasibility studies or related literature relevant to State. • Participates in the kick-off meeting(s) in the supported State and supports the delivery of capacity-building activities during the duration of the project to enhance the ability of key national stakeholders to acquire knowledge on SAF, understands the need of policy intervention and engagement to promote SAF and the ability of the State to contribute to global SAF discussions. The kick-off meeting is followed directly by an introductory session on SAF delivered by the ICAO Project coordinator and the consultant for the States Focal Points and national Stakeholders. The training builds largely on available training material used in the ICAO ACT-SAF Series of trainings. • Assess potential synergies with neighboring States and with observations of SAF feasibility studies conducted in other States and identify potential for future mutual/grouped action between ICAO Member States for the development of SAF. • Conducts the Feasibility Study, which should: o Examine the national conditions, legislations, existing structures, relevant aviation, energy and other stakeholders, roles of government and industry, research, investment and best practices, ongoing and implemented actions in the field of SAF development and deployment for aviation and support the creation of a national working group; o Evaluate the potential feedstocks, production potential, supply chain, storage, logistics, certification and economics for the development and deployment of SAFs for aviation in the State. Priority should be given to examine the feasibility of SAF production other than food and feed-crop based in light of CORSIA sustainability criteria; o Analyze the available transformation and refining technologies, as well as their technical and regulatory constraints and certification for the production of SAF as the key scope of the Study; o Undertake a SAF market study including information on potential supply and demand – according to the objective of the ICAO Global Framework for SAF, LCAF and other Aviation Cleaner Energies – identifying potential strengths and weaknesses of a SAF project, opportunities and challenges, potential actors, sponsors, competitors; o Assess potential enabling feasible national policies and incentives according to the existing national regulations/frameworks; o Assess the enabling sustainability framework of a high efficiency value chain focused on SAFs for the aviation sector; o Assesses SAF benefits for the State, including estimating the reduction potential of CO2 emissions on a life cycle basis and the contribution and impacts on the local social and economic development, in particular regarding the competitive use of food and water for SAFs production and reduction of fossil fuel dependency; o Identify obstacles and alternatives to overcome the challenges on the technical, financial, and training/capacity building needs with regard to the production and consumption of SAFs in aviation. • Following the ICAO harmonized template and its accompanying Guide, prepares a feasibility 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 implementation roadmap containing guidelines for partner States to develop their SAF market. This should contain elements on (A) structural organization, (B) business plan and implementation, (C) funding, (D) feedstock, (E) processing and technology, (F) market structure and logistics, (G) regulatory framework and support policies. This roadmap should be useable by the partner State in view of inclusion in its States Action Plan for mitigation of CO2 emission from international aviation. A virtual meeting should be organized between the Consultant and the supported State to 1) explore options to include elements of SAF strategy/roadmap in the State Action Plan; and 2) to present the calendar of upcoming ICAO regional and global activities/events on SAF in view of increasing the preparedness of the supported State to participate and contribute to such activities/events. The final report (and intermediary reports) of the feasibility study 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. Upon review, ICAO may request the consultant to make adjustments to the content of the report. • The consultant will be expected to travel to the supported State in the context of the preparation of the report, spending at least 3 weeks in the State to develop the study. • Prepares a template for a SAF offtake agreement to be put at the disposal of industry actors in presence (SAF producers/suppliers, airlines, airports), as well as guidance on the filling-in of the template; • Participates in periodic (virtual) progress meetings with ICAO, the Technical Coordinator, and the respective partner States focal points to take stock on the progress of the feasibility study. • 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, is required; • Knowledge of policies, regulations and certification processes to produce and use SAFs in international aviation, is required;. • 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, is required; • Knowledge of economics of SAFs, incentive mechanisms, industrial projects and innovative financing and funding, is required; • Ability to collect and analyse information and statistical data quantitatively, conduct complex research, use up-to-date software to compile database and other related work, is required; • International experience providing advisory services to national governments, is required; • Knowledge of ICAO functions and its organizational structure, is required.

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.