Energy/Environment Officer

Duties and Qualifications
Energy/Environment Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

The Energy/Environment Officer will be based in Iriba, Chad and will receive guidance from the Head of Sub-Office and Assistant Representative (Operations). S/he will work closely with colleagues in related technical sectors including education, livelihoods, protection, health, community services, shelter, water and sanitation, and gender and age. S/he will coordinate and provide technical support to energy and environment interventions in eastern Chad, 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 will liaise with Assistant Representative (Operation) for UNHCR Chad, DPSM/Energy and Environment Unit, and Regional Bureau/Desk. S/he supports and provides guidance to Implementing and Operational Partners, relevant Government ministries, and UN agencies.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability:

- Energy and environment 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 and environment 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 and environment 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 and environment interventions.
- Undertake assessments and evaluations on energy for refugees and environment management and establish effective coordination, monitoring and evaluation systems.
- Coordinate the design of energy and environment 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 and environment to UNHCR and implementing partners.
- Identify appropriate technical partners on energy and environment 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 and the environment.
- Support the effort in resource mobilization for energy and environment-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 and environment 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 and environmental sciences, renewable energy, or energy economics/engineering.
- Minimum 8 years (6 years with advanced university degree), of relevant working experience in energy and environment at professional level, with 3 years in an international capacity, preferably in developing countries.
- Experience in energy provision and energy and environment 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.
Position Competencies
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X002L3 - Innovation and Creativity Level 3
X003L3 - Technological Awareness Level 3
X004L3 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 3
X009L3 - Change Capability and Adaptability Level 3
X006L3 - Policy Development & Research Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES
The Fuel and Energy Officer will be based in Iriba, and will work closely with colleagues in related technical sectors including education, livelihoods, protection, health, community services, shelter, water and sanitation, gender and age. She/he will provide coordination and technical support to Field activities in Eastern and South of Chad.

The Fuel and Energy Officer supports all issues related to energy and its cross-cutting impacts including self-reliance, education and protection, and will ensure that country energy programme is in line with the UNHCR Global Strategy for Safe Access to Fuel and Energy.
Additionally, s/he will ensure energy innovations and current initiatives undertaken by the operations. Contact with UN technical agencies as well as implementing and operational partners should also be maintained.
The incumbent is expected to undertake missions to the different camps refugees in the country, and liaise with the operations on the design and implementation of energy initiatives, including pilots.

The incumbent must possess a high level of personal integrity and ethical standards. He/she needs to communicate well with people coming from different cultural contexts, to be available and client oriented.

Fluency in English and French is mandatory; knowledge of Arabic will be an asset for integration with the community and local authorities in East of Chad. He/She will also have to have demonstrated management, negotiation and team building skills.

Demonstrated strategic planning and organizational awareness competencies are important for the job. Previous experience in emergency situation is an asset, as well as an innovative attitude and thinking outside the box.

Project management skills as well as experience in designing and facilitating training programmes and development of information materials on the subject matter are desirable.

The incumbent will be directly supervised by the Head of Sub-office in Iriba while laising with the Assistant Representative (Programme) who is required to provide technical guidance.

UNHCR staff are always reminded the need to strictly respect all norms of security.

The operation in Chad is currently decentralized and the Representational Office in N¿Djamena retains the role of strategic provision and coordination of four Sub-Offices and their respective 8 Field Offices
CURRENT SITUATION
UNHCR Operation in Chad addresses protection and assistance needs for more than 400,000 refugees, established in 13 camps, 12 of the camps hosting refugees since more than ten years, with no prospect of repatriation, at the same time establishing new camps to accommodate continuous influx. The Office also leads the protection and Shelter/CCCM cluster in response to the general protection of returning population, along with their reintegration in villages of origin.

Chad is among the most complex UNHCR operations in terms of security, environment and logistical context. The environment is characterized by unforeseen trends related to these factors. In N¿Djamena, staff can move freely, although Common criminality, fuelled by poverty, social unrest and high levels of unemployment continues to be one of the main threats to the physical integrity of UNHCR staff.

UNHCR staff are always reminded the need to strictly respect all norms of security.

The operation in Chad is currently decentralized and the Representational Office in N¿Djamena retains the role of strategic provision and coordination of four Sub-Offices and their respective 8 Field Offices.

The activities of energy and environment are currently being supported by a NOA based in Ndjamena who represents the office in various meetings with different government departments, and capable of developing various important documents.

The UNHCR Sub-Office in Iriba leads the actions of the Field Offices in Amdjarass and Guereda. The Sub-Office contributes to the provision of international protection and assistance for over 140,000 registered refugees from Sudan living in 6 camps under the authority of the Iriba Sub-Office. Refugee population is mostly represented by women and children, and old refugees with specific needs. This fact influences the level and type of assistance UNHCR, WFP and NGOs provide to support the beneficiaries. The Sub-Office is located in a very sensitive environment where conflicts over scarce natural resources as fire wood and water, re-occurring SGBV incidents between refugees and indigenous, sometimes affect cohabitation.

The Sub-Office is in the desert with harsh weather conditions, lack of water, and unavailability of basic infrastructure facilities such as roads which impact on timely delivery of quality humanitarian services to the beneficiaries.
WORKING AND LIVING CONDITIONS
In terms of working and living conditions, Iriba is caracterised by very basic infrastructure as well as leisure and recreational facilities. Also, very limited health facilities are available locally. The office has established guest houses for the international colleagues but private accommodation is possible as well. In case of difficulties, especially on health issues, the colleague might be referred to N¿Djamena where the office will deliver full support.

R&R cycle 8 weeks.
SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
Iriba is a security level 3 duty station. Chad is among the most complex UNHCR operations in terms of security, environment and logistical context. The environment is characterized by unforeseen trends related to these factors. The risk of common criminality ¿ fuelled by poverty, social unrest and high levels of unemployment continues to be one of the main threats to the physical integrity of UNHCR staff. UNHCR staff are always reminded the need to strictly respect all norms of security.
Cultural sensitivity and good security and safety awareness are important elements as Chad is a non-family duty station and there are constant threats to one¿s safety and security.
ADDITIONAL FACTORS
There are no banking facilities in Iriba. The nearest bank facility is at Abeche located at 270 km from Iriba where we happen to have most of the banks operating in Chad (BCC, ECOBANK; SGTB¿).
Closing Date
Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the March 2017 Compendium is Tuesday, 11 April 2017 (midnight Geneva time).