Heating and Energy Efficiency Engineer

Organizational Setting

FAO is a longstanding partner of the Government of Armenia in supporting the transformation of the country’s agrifood systems through policy advice, institutional capacity development, investment planning, and field-level interventions. The Organization also contributes to Armenia's commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the Convention on Biological Diversity, while supporting implementation of the country's agricultural and environmental priorities.

Armenia is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change in the region. Its forests are highly sensitive to climate change, while its rural population is dependent on fuelwood to meet their energy demands. In November 2021, implementation of an eight-year project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) titled “Forest resilience of Armenia, enhancing adaptation and rural green growth via mitigation” commenced in partnership with the Ministry of Environment of the Government of Armenia and with additional co-financing from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Autonomous Province of Bolzano, WWF Armenia, and FAO.

This GCF project is the country’s first forestry-oriented funding proposal. It will increase the role of communities governing and managing natural resources through forest concessions and improved fuelwood management, timber production and non-timber forest products. This is a relatively new approach in Armenia and has the potential to act as a model for the entire country. The project will include an increase in the use of energy-efficient appliances in the private sector and rural households to decrease pressure on natural ecosystems.

The project aims to support Armenia’s transition from a Business-as-Usual scenario towards a low-emission and sustainable development pathway through targeted and strategic interventions. In particular, the project seeks to reduce drivers of forest degradation, including demand for firewood, through tailored household-level rural energy-efficiency investments, including improved appliances and practices designed to reduce energy needs. The project will also contribute to increasing forest cover through capacity development of relevant stakeholders, alongside investments in reforestation, afforestation, and agroforestry on public forest lands. In parallel, the project will support central and local institutions in adopting climate-adaptive and sustainable forest management policies and practices, thereby strengthening forest governance and enhancing community participation in forest control, protection, management, and incentive processes. Through these activities, the project will provide tailor-made improved wood stove appliances to vulnerable households in Syunik and Lori marzes.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Armenia, the direct supervision of National Project Coordinator, and under the technical guidance of the project’s Lead Technical Officer (Forestry Division, FAO REU) and HQ Technical Officer (OCB, FAO HQ) , the incumbent will work closely with the national project staff and local producers.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide support to ensure the smooth technical implementation of the energy efficiency component of the project described above in the target areas of Lori and Syunik Marzes. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with private sector producers, local authorities, and project beneficiaries. The incumbent will be expected to provide specific technical support in comparative woodstove technology analysis adaptation and testing, ensuring alignment of locally produced models with the identified design and international energy-efficiency and safety standards.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Heating and Energy Efficiency Engineer, together with the international staff and consultants, will carry out the following tasks:
• Identify and clearly record the wood stove requirements for the household target groups, while ensuring the approach is aligned with the requirements outlined within the project document;
• Review and finalize the vocational school mapping undertaken by the project team, assess the relevance and capacity of identified institutions, and identify priority gaps and opportunities for vocational training support.
• Review all national policy documents, including energy strategies and sector requirements to clearly identify the institutional setting of the project component within national rural energy access activities;
• Carry out a review of relevant national data and documentation and conduct a comparative analysis of existing woodstoves, including an assessment of their performance, affordability, functionality, and scalability, and provide a recommendation on the preferred option;
• Document the outcomes of the reviews and analyses in a series of concise technical review notes, summarizing the key findings, assumptions, conclusions and technical considerations, for review and validation by the project team.;
• Provide support towards the validation and acceptance of laboratory testing results for the woodstoves, if required;
• Develop guidance materials on safety measures for the production, testing and use of woodstoves, under the direct supervision of the relevant Technical Officer (TO).
• Prepare tender documentation for woodstoves and participate in the evaluation process;
• Facilitate the approval process and oversee the delivery and receipt of the woodstoves;
• Organize and deliver training activities for producers, as needed;
• Support the identification and selection of the beneficiaries of the woodstoves, and support installation of the woodstoves, as required.
• Provide support to the international experts engaged by the project, both remotely and during their visits to Armenia;
• Support the design of required training materials, if necessary.
• Perform other related tasks as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in heating, heat assessments, energy efficiency, household heating demand, heating appliances (design and selection), or a related technical field.
• Working knowledge of English and Armenian.
• National of Armenia.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong organizational and coordination skills; ability to manage multiple workstreams and meet deadlines.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work effectively with government institutions, private sector, civil society, and international partners.
• Willingness to undertake regular field visits to Lori and Syunik Marzes.

Selection Criteria

• Experience in wood stove selection, certification requirements, and procurement at significant scale.
• Demonstrated experience in drafting technical specifications, tender documentation, and technical evaluation of bids.
• Experience with biomass heating technologies, wood-burning appliances, or rural energy programmes is highly desirable.
• Experience working on similar projects implemented by international organizations (FAO, UNDP, EU, GCF-funded projects, or similar) is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with Armenia’s energy sector, rural energy context, or relevant regulatory frameworks is an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION