Energy Officer (HQ)

Energy Officer (HQ)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The position is a technically expert role within the Energy Unit in DPSM, Geneva, providing technical direction and advice on all energy related issues, including policy development, guidelines and tools required for effective implementation of energy programmes. Supporting synergies between energy and other UNHCR sectors, including protection, livelihoods, shelter, environment, programme and supply, the adviser will also develop partnerships with other agencies and NGOs towards improving access to clean energy.

They will provide expert technical support at field, country and institutional levels, working both independently and within a team, to increase the success and sustainability of energy interventions. They will also help to ensure programmes take into account aspects of age, gender and diversity mainstreaming in planning, implementation and evaluation processes.

The staff member is directly supervised by the Snr. Energy Officer, DPSM, UNHCR.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- Technical advice and guidance are provided on energy programming, and all energy related matters, at field, country and institutional levels in developing effective and sustainable energy interventions.
- Country operations are supported in planning, designing and implementing energy programmes.
- Energy strategies and guidelines are developed to improve effectiveness of energy programming, and to increase health and safety standards.
- Clean energy and renewable technologies are promoted in order to reduce operational costs and minimise environmental impacts.
- Energy products and services procured by UNHCR, or made available to refugees, are sustainable and appropriate.
- Partnerships are developed to increase UNHCR¿s capacity to increase sustainable access to energy for displaced people.

Responsibility
- Develop holistic energy strategies, adoption of new technologies and pilot projects at field, country and organisational level in conjunction with management, WASH, environment and other sectors.
- Provide direction and support in the management, design and implementation of specific energy programmes for UNHCR at all levels.
- Contribute to the development of funding proposals and advocate for financial support for energy interventions in cooperation with PSP programme, country operations and other sectors.
- Assist donor missions as focal point for energy programming.
- Prepare specifications, designs and terms of reference for the implementation of energy systems by suitably qualified and experienced contractors or technical partners.
- Carry out technical evaluations and support preparation for competitive tenders.
- Coordinate with other UN agencies, partners and governments in aligning energy and environmental strategies for the refugee response.
- Design, implementation and project management of electrical engineering and renewable energy systems, including budgeting, resource coordination and cross sectoral planning.
- Support in the recruitment of suitably qualified and experienced energy personnel at field, country, regional and institutional level.
- Plan and oversee energy audits and related policy development for sustainable energy systems in field locations.
- Assure renewable and sustainable programming incorporates cultural appropriateness, takes account of all contextual issues, and considers minimum best practices within the developing sector and globally, to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
- Promote the increased use of renewable technologies, including providing technology specialisation within the energy unit, introducing the most appropriate recent technologies into planning and programming.
- Provide highly technical advice on resolving specific difficulties experienced at operational or institutional level, in addition to evaluation and direction on selecting appropriate technologies or equipment.
- Develop technical guidelines for energy systems, in conjunction with other UNHCR sectors and coordinate adoption at field level.
- Act as a representative of UNHCR on energy related matters with other humanitarian agencies, governments, NGOS, private sector entities, donors,  and other organisations as required.
- Collaborate and coordinate closely with programme, supply, livelihoods, wash and other technical experts to ensure energy based interventions are approached from a cross sectorial perspective.
- Document and report on programmes and initiatives including communication with country operations at each stage of project development including monitoring, testing, trouble shooting, lessons learned and solutions applied to assure institutional knowledge development.
- Keep abreast of all governmental/national and international regulations in relation to energy systems to ensure energy activities are legal and sustainable.

Authority
- Provide direct advice and guidance in the development of energy strategies, programmes and proposal at institutional and programme level. This shall include advising other expert and non-expert staff in the proper evaluation of technologies, systems and methods in planning and implementation of energy projects in a methodical, transparent and professional manner. It shall also encompass cross-sectoral communication and advice within UNHCR, with other UN agencies, humanitarian actors, private sector entities and other external actors.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced university degree and technical qualification in Energy Technology, Engineering, Renewable Energy or related area.
- At least 6 years¿ experience working in energy with a minimum of 2 years in the humanitarian sector.
- Ability to apply knowledge from contemporary research and practice in global energy systems, and translate this into diverse humanitarian settings.
- Demonstrated experience in participatory approaches, including, behavioural change, capacity building and training with beneficiary communities across several humanitarian and cultural contexts.
- Comprehensive understanding of electricity systems and standards, including health and safety.
- Experience in the planning, design, budgeting and management of energy projects.
- Experience of energy audits and comparative analyses of energy systems.
- A good understanding of testing equipment, and of test, inspection, verification and commissioning processes.
- Understanding of how international energy policies, global standards and government regulations influence energy interventions.
- Proven track record of successful design and implementation of at least two renewable technologies.
- Knowledge and experience of hybrid technologies, energy measurement and controls, CHP and energy efficiency measures.
- Clear understanding of Energy within UNHCR¿s mandate, in addition to operational, funding, financing, procurement and coordination systems.
- Ability to think creatively, and to explore, harness and translate innovative concepts into practice.
- Experience in negotiations with energy regulators and other key stakeholders in planning and implementing energy interventions.
- Ability to meet reporting deadlines, manage budgets and complete quarterly and yearly reporting.
- Excellent command of oral and written English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Professionalism: Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others.
- Analytical thinking; Knowledge and understanding of UN programme planning and management, organizing and problem solving abilities; Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; remains calm in stressful situations and oversee unplanned technical project interventions.
- Communication: Excellent communication skills (written and spoken), including the ability to draft a variety of reports; Ability to interact with partners and stakeholders; Ability to communicate effectively in order to communicate complex and technical information to technical and general audiences.
- Skills in facilitating meetings effectively and efficiently and to resolve conflicts as they arise.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and sensitivity to cultural, socio-economic and political differences.
- Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve results and to solicit input by genuinely valuing others¿ ideas and expertise; shares credit for team accomplishments.
- Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology in the field of energy with progressive approach to the learning of new technologies and installation techniques.
- Willingness to work in demanding environmental surroundings and to lead by example when on project sites.
- Ability to listen and understand other technical opinions, to assure maximization of holistic designs and solutions.
- Knowledge of design and installation of Solar PV and lighting systems, including understanding of international best practice.
- Prior work experience with UNHCR, other UN Agencies and/or other humanitarian/development agencies.
- Understanding of contextual and cultural issues in selecting appropriate technologies and implementation methods.
- Technical accreditation recognised by humanitarian authority.
- Proficiency in UNHCR official languages.