Assistant Energy Officer
UNOPSGeneral Background
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. UNHCR recognizes the global need for a broader “cultural shift” from long-term care and maintenance to self-reliance and solutions-oriented planning and programming in its refugee operations. UNHCR’s operation in Dollo Ado and Bokolmayo Woredas - with the support from the IKEA Foundation since 2012 – serves as one of the key locations for UNHCR to implement a new type of programming which gives priority to activities that increase refugees’ self-reliance in order to decrease dependency on aid. The program is aimed at building refugees’ resilience in preparation for their eventual return to Somalia. The national, legal and policy environment in refugee hosting countries places varying degrees of restrictions on refugees' right to work and freedom of movement. In spite of these, refugees use different strategies to generate income, mostly through daily labouring jobs in the informal sector.
The conditions necessary for refugees to earn an income that will make them self- reliant through circulation of capital in the area, do not yet exist. However, UNHCR is actively and creatively seeking opportunities for refugees to improve their income and to provide them with opportunities to gain and improve skills, which will help with their integration when they return to Somalia. Refugees will be supported to improve their livelihoods through skills training, paid employment, energy and business development.
The refugee camps are in a transition phase from emergency to the recovery stage with a wide variety of income levels and energy needs in the camps. Successful businesses have developed through the sale and distribution of electricity and energy technologies. Small-scale independent energy providers have emerged providing electricity through independent diesel mini grids. The generation and distribution of electricity through these grids is inefficient and often safety is not of the required standard. There is scope for improvement of current systems and development of new electrical generating and distribution to support business and income generating activities. Energy for productive use has been also extended to cooking purposes supporting cooperatives for the production of local cookstoves and fuel solutions.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
UNHCR wishes to recruit an experienced, motivated and highly-qualified Associate Energy Officer to support the energy section in the realization of the energy interventions in the refugee camps and host communities under support of the Sub Office Melkadida.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- Oversee implementation of Energy components of the UNHCR Sub-Office Melkadida field activities;
- Ensure that UNHCR Sub-Office Melkadida program’s work on energy is implemented effectively with high quality technical standards;
- Provide support to programming at UNHCR Sub-Office Melkadida office through its partners in implementing energy activities;
- Provide technical support on activities regarding the energy projects to IP’s and government field offices including Melkadida office staff;
- Assist energy team with activities regarding implementation, project management, and supervision of staff and implementing partner, M&E and report writing.
- Ensure effective, secure and transparent record keeping and the timely generation of progress reports, for the team and the implementing partners;
- Participate in new business development related to energy activities and in the implementation of existing strategy;
- Support the generation of proposal for energy programs with innovative ideas and gaps identification;
- Identify energy and system requirements to meet the demand of homes and businesses identified through community discussions and surveys in collaboration with Livelihood team;
- Ensure appropriate services are provided to the refugees at all levels by IP’s, OP’s, UN-Agencies and the private sector engaged in energy programs/projects in Melkadida;
- Ensure the accountability of the IP’s, OP’s, UN-Agencies and the private sector to the wider refugees supporting teams that the technical capacity of their field officers is enhanced in the area of energy activities;
- Further advance the networking of UNHCR Sub-Office Melkadida energy programs with relevant national and international level initiatives and networks, feeding information from the ground-up and keeping the field team informed of national energy strategy, policy procedure and UNHCR global energy priorities, principles and guidelines;
- Maintain effective working relationship with key actors and partners operating within the relevant sectors to effective and efficient resources utilization;
- Follow up on compliance and financial issues to ensure efficient management of UNHCR Sub-Office Melkadida’ s energy programs/projects;
- Promote technical and strategic alliance between and within the UNHCR Sub-Office Melkadida programs including: Livelihood, Protection, WASH, Nutrition, Education …
- Performs any other energy sector related duties that may be assigned.
Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience
Education
(Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
- BSc. degree in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or similar.
Work Experience
(List number of years and area of required work experience. Clearly distinguish between required experience and experience which could be an asset)
- Minimum 3 years of relevant working experience in the sector of renewable energy, project management and humanitarian settings;
- Experience in dealing with the private sector, donors and international organisations;
- Evidence of management of various scenarios of renewable energy projects, with generation of workplans, budget documentations, progress reports and deadlines compliance;
- Working in challenging environments where the intense climate, logistic limitations and cultural differences create barriers towards accomplishment of goals;
- Working as a team player by contributing to the overall project strategy and intended outcomes and at the same time able to supervise others.
Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)
- Proven coordination, planning and organizing skills;
- Managerial skills in supervising a team, meet the targets and enhance individual capabilities;
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English (knowledge of the Somali language is an asset);
- Excellent computer skills and strong experience in data analysis;
- Ability to apply technical knowledge in day to day work with good practical “hands on” capability for addressing engineering issues arising in renewable energy systems;
- Learning and researching;
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural and gender-balanced team;
- Political awareness and a good understanding of international best practices with regards to craftsmanship and renewable energy applications
- Willingness to work in Somali region;
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, good report drafting ability;
- Highly motivated and efficient with excellent organizational skills, and ability to be innovative and 'think outside the box'.
Submission of Applications
This vacancy is open for qualified Ethiopians only.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
IMPORTANT
Applicants who wish to be considered for this position should send a motivation letter the P11 Form and or the most recent fact sheet through the online application system.
Candidates may be required to sit for a test.
Due to the volume of applications only short-listed candidates will be invited for interview.