AUSTRALIA AWARDS, DFAT

24 April – 15 June 2023, Online
5.00pm - 7.00pm AEST

Supporting informed decision‑making throughout Africa.

Application deadline is 30 March 2023 (1:00pm Australia time, AEDT).

This course is open to participants from the following countries only: Algeria, Burundi, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Tunisia, Tanzania, Uganda.

To apply for this course, first read 'The Application Process' below and then click on the REGISTER ONLINE button (on this webpage), which will take you to PART A of the two-step application process.

Course Convener: Dr Igor Skryabin

Course Facilitator: Rachel England

Africa is particularly susceptible to both existing climate variability and projected climate change. Governments, industries and communities across Africa will be increasingly transitioning to zero-emission energy systems.

In collaboration with the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), ICEDS has developed this 8‑week online course for professionals employed in government, non-government organisations (NGOs), the private sector, academia and community-based organisations in Africa. The course provides students with an understanding of the key policy, technological, and economic approaches supporting the transition to a zero-emissions energy system.

As a participant in this course, you will receive applied energy transition knowledge and skills, particularly relating to energy technologies, economics, policies and societal transitions. This course is interactive with a mix of lectures and group discussions, providing participants with formal and informal learning opportunities from leading Australia-based academics and industry experts.

On completion of the course, you will have developed a deeper understanding of energy transition. You will also acquire knowledge of how both technology and policy can shape the integration of renewable energy into the grid and enable economy‑wide decarbonisation through the electrification of all energy uses.

Module Topics

• Session 1: Motivation for Energy Transition and Outlook
• Session 2: Renewable Energy Policy Frameworks
• Session 3: Renewable Generation
• Session 4: Assignment Tutorial, and Energy Security
• Session 5: Energy Storage
• Session 6: Distributed Energy Resources and Microgrids
• Session 7: Electricity Market Mechanisms and Energy Economics
• Session 8: The Social Transition
• Session 9: Industry Workforce Planning and Transitions
• Session 10: Operations of Electricity Grids
• Session 11: International Renewable Energy Systems
• Session 12: Trade, Investment and Green Industrial Policy
• Study break: Week 7 (no online sessions)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, it is expected that participants who successfully completed all tasks will have:

• An appreciation of the key technologies that will enable the transition to a zero-emissions energy system.
• Engaged with the key technological issues that underpin the integration of renewable energy into the grid.
• A consideration of the market, regulatory and policy frameworks that underpin the operation and facilitate the transition of the energy sector.
• A consideration of the socio-economic issues that will need to be addressed in the energy transition.
• An understanding of the barriers, challenges and opportunities presented by international renewable energy trade.
• Created an Implementation Plan, which identifies how the course learnings can be implemented in their current or future workplaces.

Assignment: Implementation Plan

Participants will be assisted during the course to develop an Implementation Plan. The Implementation Plan will identify how the learnings from the course could/should be implemented in the participant’s current or future workplace, broader organisation and/or their country. The Implementation Plans will be completed by participants in the final phase of the course and submitted for review. A sample of the Implementation Plans may be selected for presentation during the course’s final session.

Workloads and Completion Requirements

This course will be online and delivered over 8 weeks in April-June 2023.

During the course, participants will have access to the following live/online sessions:

• One introductory session (approx. 1 hour) before the course starts (session 0).
• Two (2-hour) sessions per week – a total of 12 x 2-hour sessions across the first 6 weeks of the course.
• A concluding session in week 8 (approx. 2 hours).

Each session will include:

• Pre-reading
• Questions on notice
• Lectures (including multiple presenters and guest speakers)
• Discussion session/Question & answers
• Feedback survey.

Participants are expected to complete 3 hours per week of individual work on pre-readings in the first 6 weeks of the course, plus 7 hours in the final phase of the course to create their Implementation Plan.

To qualify for a Certificate of Completion from the course, participants must (as a minimum):

• Attend at least 50% of online sessions (at least 6 out of 12) – recordings will be available for those that are missed.
• Complete and submit the assignment by the due date - the Implementation Plan.
• Submit at least two online posts (questions or comments) to the course’s online discussion board.
• Complete the course surveys.

Pre-Requisites for this Course

To apply for this course, you must be based within one of the specified countries listed at the top of this page.

The course will be taught in English, and participants must have good English language proficiency (written and spoken).

Participants are expected to hold a professional mid-level or senior-level position in policy, practice, research or reform, whether in government, civil society or the private sector. Participants must have completed secondary schooling and at least three years of tertiary education, have at least 3-5 years of work experience at mid to senior levels, and have a reasonably good base-level understanding of the subject matter.

As participation in this course is likely to intersect with and impact on your work duties or study, all applications for this course must include a signed Letter of Support. See 'The Application Process' below for more information.

Who Should Apply

We encourage professionals working in government, NGOs, private business or community sector on issues related to climate change and energy transition to apply.

The Application Process

To apply for this course, you will need to complete the two-stage application process:

• PART A – an online form where you provide your name, role/organisation and email address. Once submitted, applicants receive a link and password to access PART B of the application.
• PART B – an online form with questions relating to your demographics, language, current and previous relevant work experience, AAP idea(s), and reasons for applying for this course.

Both PART A and PART B must be fully completed and submitted by the closing deadline if you wish to be considered for this course.

PART B of the application form asks applicants to upload 3 files (max. file size = 100MB each). These files are a mandatory part of the application. They are:

1. Evidence of your English language proficiency - this must be one of the following:
   • IELTS test score (dated within the past 10 years),
   • TOEFL test score (dated within the past 10 years), OR
   • a recent sample of your formal writing (dated within the past 10 years, (e.g.) academic paper, policy brief, business plan, etc.) with the sample clearly showing you as the primary author.
2. Letter demonstrating support for your application - this must be one of the following (depending on your current employment/study circumstances):
   • Letter of Support,
   • Letter of Response, OR
   • Letter of Recommendation (see more information below).
3. Your updated curriculum vitae or resume.

Letter of Support/Response/Recommendation

If you are currently an employee, you must attach a Letter of Support (on official letterhead) from your employer and signed by a supervisor, stating that they support your application for this course. We recommend that you use the sample letter here: Sample Letter (DOC, 22 KB)

If you are currently self-employed, you must attach a Letter of Response (on official business letterhead), signed by you and outlining the role you play in your business/organisation, the length of time you have held this position, and major activities you have lead or been involved in over the past 2 years.

If you are currently unemployed or studying, you must attach a Letter of Recommendation from a previous employer (employment within past 2 years) OR from a community-based organisation that you have undertaken work for within the past 2 years OR from the institution where you are studying. The Letter of Recommendation must be on official letterhead and signed by a previous or current supervisor, or by a lecturer/convener.

Please Note: The letter that you provide should reflect a clear understanding of the time commitment for course participation (i.e. approximately 40 hours). The Letter of Support/Response/Recommendation is mandatory, and applications without an official and signed letter will be marked as incomplete.

All complete and valid applications will progress to the ANU-DFAT selection panel, and successful applicants will be informed via email 1-2 weeks before the course commences.