[Hiring] Technical Consultant on Sustainable Aviation Fuels @ICAO

Role Description

The Consultant will report to the Chief of the Environmental Standards Section and is expected to submit weekly reports in English outlining the work undertaken and updating the progress of the feasibility or business implementation 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:

• Liaise with the Project Coordinator, the Local project Consultant (where applicable) and the State’s focal point to review the key objectives, scope, timeline and priorities of the study, which will be provided to the consultant at the start of the contract.
• Conduct a short pre-assessment (waypoint) and present results in the form of a slide deck to determine whether there is sufficient potential and information to undertake a full study.
• Develop 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 study, considering previous SAF feasibility studies conducted in the State and any pre-existing literature relevant to State.
• Identify and liaise with relevant national and regional industry stakeholders with potential capacity to participate in the study.
• Participate in project meetings, workshops and support the delivery of capacity-building activities during the duration of the project, including through an in-country kick-off workshop and training.
• Assess potential synergies with neighboring States through analysis of SAF or other renewable energy studies conducted in these States and identify potential for future collaboration for the development of SAF.
• Building on previous work, identify 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.
• Conduct a comprehensive feasibility or business implementation study (as per the specific scope defined in the project’s contract) on the development and deployment of SAF in the designated Supported State and develop an implementation roadmap, in close cooperation with the State which can include (but is not limited to):
• Identifying the potential feedstocks, production potential, supply chain, and refining technologies, as well as their technical and regulatory constraints to assess the potential to develop SAF supply capacity in the State. Priority should be given to examine the feasibility of SAF production in light of CORSIA sustainability criteria.
• Examine the national conditions, legislation, 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.
• Analyze the potential transformation and refining technologies, as well as their technical and regulatory constraints and sustainability certification.
• 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 barriers and enabling feasible national policies and incentives.
• When required for the scope of the project, identify funding and financing barriers, liaise with relevant national, regional and international financing institutions and undertake an assessment of potential financing mechanisms.
• When required for the scope of the project, deep-dive into at least one shortlisted feedstock and technology pathway and undertake a techno-economic assessment. This should factor in site selection and the operational lifespan of a facility, process/energy inputs, financial parameters, and presence of supporting policy.
• When required for the scope of the project, 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.
• Submit draft reports and, after final ICAO review, a final complete study for publication.
• Present the findings to the State and the relevant stakeholders when requested.
• Perform other related duties that may be assigned.

Qualifications

• 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.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in one or more of the following fields: sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), biofuels and renewable energy, oil industry, energy or renewable energy, sustainable development, environmental and social impacts assessment.
• Knowledge of policies, regulations and certification processes to produce and use SAF 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 SAF and renewable energy.
• Knowledge of economics of SAF, incentive mechanisms, industrial projects and innovative financing and funding.
• 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.

Benefits

• The duration of the assignment is up to eleven (11) months.
• The study is to be delivered in full within this timeline and the intermediate deliverables will be further specified in the contract.
• These consultancies will be conducted remotely but will require travel to the supported States.
• The currently foreseen studies will support the following countries: Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria and Madagascar.
• Depending on the profiles of the applicants, for each study ICAO may elect to either hire one consultant full-time or two consultants part-time. As such the total number of positions to fill is between 4 and 8.