Energy Officer

Energy Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Energy Officer will receive guidance from the Head of Sub-Office and Senior Program Officer in Adjumani. S/he will work closely with colleagues in related technical sectors including livelihoods, protection, health, community services, shelter, water and sanitation, and gender and age. S/he will coordinate and provide technical support to energy interventions, particularly ensuring that energy programmes are in line with the UNHCR Global Strategy for Safe Access to Fuel and Energy. S/he will proactively seek out appropriate energy technologies and approaches, and will reach out to the private sector and development actors and determine how best to incorporate these approaches into UNHCR operations, in consultation with the Energy and Environment Unit in DPSM/OSTS. S/he should identify and participate in regional fora focused on energy solutions.

S/he supports and provides guidance to Implementing and Operational Partners, relevant Government ministries, and UN agencies.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- Energy programmes are designed according to outcomes of baseline assessment and feasibility study, and following the UNHCR Global Strategy for Safe Access to Fuel and Energy.
- Appropriate partners are identified for the energy sectors.
- Specific projects are designed and piloted on energy for cooking, lighting and powering, including renewable energy, with a view towards enhancing self-reliance, education and protection.

Responsibility
- Coordinate energy programme amongst different sectors within UNHCR and between UNHCR, the local authorities and implementing partners.
- Lead the baseline assessments and feasibility studies on energy in refugee situations in the country.
- Provide appropriate and timely technical assistance on energy provided to partners and local authorities.
- Identify appropriate technologies and approaches to energy, including fuels, renewable energy, stoves, and lighting and powering technologies.
- Support livelihood options and options for related sectors through energy interventions.
- Undertake assessments and evaluations on energy for refugees and establish effective coordination, monitoring and evaluation systems.
- Coordinate the design of energy programmes of the operations, identifying appropriate energy interventions, including alternative/renewable energy sources.
- Work in a cross-sectoral and coordinated approach in cooperation with UN agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), refugee and host communities, and other humanitarian partners.
- Ensure implementation of policies and strategies, including the UNHCR Global Strategy for Safe Access to Fuel and Energy.
- Provide technical assistance and training on energy to UNHCR and implementing partners.
- Identify appropriate technical partners on energy to support UNHCR.
- Identify technologies and approaches to energy, testing and piloting as necessary, with possibilities of scaling-up and replication.
- Document and draw from good practices and lessons learned for dissemination in collaboration with the Energy and Environment Unit DPSM/OSTS.
- Lead the design and implementation of baseline and feasibility studies of energy options in the refugee and environment context, and subsequent impact assessments/evaluations including in areas of overlap with other sectors.
- Supervise the planning, implementation and reporting process on issues related to energy.
- Support the effort in resource mobilization for energy -related activities with emphasis on non-traditional donors.

Authority
- Represent UNHCR in relevant national meetings and technical conferences.
- Provide support and advocacy on all issues relating to energy within and outside of UNHCR in the country.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- University degree in a field related to Natural Resource Management, Energy Sciences, Renewable Energy, or Energy Economics/Engineering.
- Minimum 8 years (6 years with advanced university degree), of relevant working experience in energy at professional level, with 3 years in an international capacity, preferably in developing countries.
- Experience in energy provision and energy in humanitarian/development settings, planning, and monitoring and evaluation of energy and environment-related projects; demonstrated ability to coordinate and implement projects.
- Ability to apply knowledge from contemporary research in the field of energy, and translate this into humanitarian settings.
- Familiarity with emerging sustainable and appropriate energy technologies and renewable energy.
- Solid skills in analysis, using and presenting quantitative and qualitative data, and report writing.
- Familiarity with community-based and participatory approaches.
- Strong communication, including written and presentation skills.
- Computer literacy in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and a statistical programs.
- Fluency in either French or English, with strong working knowledge in the other.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Project management skills.
- Designing and facilitating training programmes.
- Development of information materials.