Request for expression of interest for selection # 1207906
Program Manager STC - Lighting Pakistan
Publication Date
28-Dec-2015
Expression of Interest Deadline
11-Jan-2016 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)
Language of Notice
English
Selection Notice
Assignment Country
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PK - Pakistan
Funding Sources
The World Bank Group intends to finance the assignment/services under:
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BB - BANK BUDGET
TF018772 - DFAT CSA SDIP
TF018091 - Pakistan PSD - Lighting Pakistan
Individual/Firm
The consultant will be an individual.
Assignment Description
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused
on the private sector in developing countries. We create opportunity for people to escape poverty
and improve their lives. We do so by providing financing to help businesses employ more people
and supply essential services, by mobilizing capital from others, and by delivering advisory
services to ensure sustainable development.
Program Objective: Supporting the emergence and growth of the market for off-grid solar energy
products for low income households and MSMEs in Pakistan in order to enable access to
affordable, safe, high-quality lighting and related services.
Background: An estimated 1.4 billion people lack access to grid electricity globally. A much
larger number lack access to a reliable electricity supply. Through the Lighting Africa pilot
project in Kenya, IFC has demonstrated that a commercial approach to off-grid solar can deliver
solutions at the required scale (over 7 million people reached and annual market growth of
280%) and that quality products are the key to market growth. At the same time, the range of
quality assured off-grid solar products available in the market is expanding, performance is
improving and costs continue to decrease. Due to this success, IFC is now replicating Lighting
Africa in a number of countries both within Africa (Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia and Tanzania) and
beyond (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea). Lighting Global has been
established to manage certain functions (e.g. quality assurance) as well as providing coordination
and guidance to country-level programs.
Pakistan Context: IFC estimates a 144 million are currently either off-grid in Pakistan or
experiencing over 12 hours load shedding a day. These households are spending $2.3 billion per
annum on traditional lighting technologies including kerosene, diesel, battery powered torches,
candles and rechargeable lights. Although a few companies, both domestic and international,
have started to explore the market for off-grid solar products in Pakistan, market penetration of
solar devices to date is minimal and is constrained by a number of barriers, including:
Market spoilage by poor quality solar products and equipment.
Lack of awareness of the benefits of solar and the importance of quality.
Lack of experience by vendors in the market in successfully selling solar to the bottom of the
pyramid.
Financial bottlenecks for consumers, distributors and importers / suppliers.
While the government of Pakistan is proactively tackling the energy crisis, a broad reaching
resolution in less than 6 to 7 years is unlikely. Without such a resolution, any efforts to expand
the reach of the grid will be difficult; furthermore, for large parts of the country low population
and load densities mean that grid expansion will never be economically viable, which represents
a tremendous latent market opportunity for off grid lighting and power products.
The Lighting Pakistan program works with lighting product manufacturers, distributors,
consumers, financial institutions, development partners, and governments to help build a market
for reliable lighting products.
IFC MENA is seeking a Program Management Consultant to oversee and manage the Lighting
Pakistan Program. The position may be based in either Karachi or Islamabad, Pakistan. The
incumbent will report to the MENA Energy & Resource Efficiency Regional Lead. In addition,
the Consultant will work under the strategic guidance of the Global Head of Energy Access and
function as a collaborative member of the Global Off-Grid Lighting Team.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The Consultant will be in charge of leading the implementation of Lighting Pakistan, including
designing the specific services provided by the program to managing its implementation with
clients at the company, sector and policy levels according to the approved Implementation Plan
as well as all monitoring and reporting requirements for the program. This program is one of a
portfolio of country programs underthe Lighting Global umbrella. As such, it will be managed
using best practices from the global practice, and the Consultant will actively engage with
counterparts operating similar programs in Asia and Africa under the global supervision of the
Global Head of Energy Access.
Selection and contracting will normally be made from responses to this request for expression of
interest. The consultant will be selected from a shortlist, subject to availability of funding.