The Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) aims to achieve 70% nationwide electrification in the country by 2030 and 100% by 2050 as outlined in the Development Strategic Plan (2010-2030). About 13% of PNG’s total population has electricity mainly from the current grid services that the government provides. As such, the government has developed the National Electricity Roll-Out Plan to achieve its target. To achieve this, the plan would require improved investment in energy development including renewable energy sources and energy efficiency technologies which will reduce reliance on fossil fuels as these contributes to greenhouse gas emissions which ultimately affect the global climate. 

In this context the Government of PNG, represented by the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, UNDP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is providing technical assistance under the European Union – funded Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment and Trade in Papua New Guinea (STREIT) project.  STREIT’s overall objective is to increase sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas.  The project will support investments in climate resilience and improved value chains by facilitating access to renewable energy technologies. It will deliver a range of activities under output 2.3 – Increased production of and access to, renewable energy systems.
 
It will do this by delivering activities that:
Support policy and regulatory reform which will among other things, promote the inclusion of food and agriculture in renewable energy development;
Determine the feasibility of investment options for renewable energy generation systems;
Establish renewable energy generation systems in project areas and advocate for their up-take; and,
Support the generation of electricity produced from renewable sources.  
 
UNDP is implementing the project as part of its current portfolio of environment, energy and climate change projects. It will leverage off existing renewable sector activities and existing partnerships with key relevant players including the East Sepik Provincial Administration, PNG Power Limited, the Department of Petroleum and Energy, the Climate Change and Development Authority, the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission and other development partners. The project will be implemented over four years.  
 
UNDP is now recruiting a suitably qualified national engineering expert on renewable energy with project management experience to work on a full-time basis in Wewak, East Sepik Province.  The project manager will oversee day-to-day management and overall implementation of the project. Administrative support will be supplied by the STREIT and the Facilitating Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Applications for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Project (FREAGER) teams, and where needed by UNDP (e.g. regarding contractual issues).  The Project Manager will also work closely with stakeholders from other relevant ministries/agencies, provincial and district representatives, and bilateral and multilateral development partners.