Objectives and Scope of the Assignment

The primary objective of this assignment is to develop viable business models and financing mechanisms for mini-grids with agricultural productive uses while providing technical assistance to the relevant stakeholders in furtherance of this objective. Thus, this assignment is expected to: 1) Design tendering process and accompanying tendering documents for the REA based on innovative business models centred on cost reduction 2) Provide support to REA to assess bid under Calls for Proposals 3) Design and pilot the most cost-effective alternative financial instruments to promote solar PV minigrids in Nigeria 4) Propose and design commercial business models for scaling up solar PV minigrids in agricultural value chains (to be accompained by financial instruments developed) 5) Build capacity of project stakeholders on the project-demonstrated minigrids business models 6) Build capacity of minigrid developers/operators on financial reporting 7) Equipment leasing scheme developed for uptake of efficient electrical equipment in agricultural value chains 8) Review of electricty tariffs through cross-subsidy and balanced tariffs to promote uptake of renewable electricity generated from solar PV minigrids.

Consultant Competencies

The required qualifications and experience of the consultant are as follows: • An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Economics, Accounting and Finance or a related field; • At least 10 years of relevant work experience across Financial and Business models development and the development of product financing or leasing schemes • Experience in working with the UN, and UNDP in particular, international organizations, and similar agencies would be an advantage; • Previous experience in conducting similar assignments • Clear understanding of how to develop tender documents