Senior Energy Officer

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Senior Energy Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Access to clean, affordable and reliable energy services is integral part of humanitarian response and an essential factor in creating sustainable economic development. Energy services are essential for basic human protection and dignity, two of the core ethical aims of humanitarian assistance. Energy services provide cooking, lighting, heating and clean water, and underpin all but the most rudimentary income-earning activities. It is estimated that some 80% of forcibly displaced persons in camps have minimal access to energy for cooking, lighting, education or livelihood activities. Energy poverty in camps leads to insecurity, increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), reduced development opportunities, health problems and environmental degradation. In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), access to clean energy could vastly improve the health and well-being of millions of persons.

The Senior Energy Officer is an expert position based within Technical Services in the Division of Programme Support and Management (DPSM) in HQ Geneva reporting to the DPSM Deputy Director. The incumbent will work closely with the energy and environment team and other units within DPSM, as well as relevant divisions, regional bureaux and external stakeholders.

The incumbent will provide strategic direction in supporting the organisation to meet the increasing demands of operations for refugees¿ access to energy as well as reducing costs and carbon footprint. This dedicated expertise and experience would provide continuity and enhance institutional knowledge in this technical area, mainstreaming energy as a cross-cutting issue across UNHCR operations and within internal guiding frameworks such as the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF).

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Energy programmes are designed according to outcomes of baseline assessment and feasibility studies and following the UNHCR Global Strategy for Safe Access to Fuel and Energy.
- Appropriate partners are identified on energy and environment for the operations in the region.
- 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
- Develop and roll out the UNHCR 2019 ¿ 2021/2023 global energy strategy; this strategy will be developed in collaboration with senior management and selected field operations and will be guided by relevant concepts around the New York Declaration, Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and the Global Plan of Action (GPA).
- Develop an energy inventory and needs assessment for infrastructure and domestic energy needs for refugees and host communities; this inventory will be developed in collaboration with relevant work units of DPSM and other support divisions.
- Advise and develop plans on engagement of private and public sectors which will reinforce the UNHCR energy portfolio through efficient, sustainable and innovative activities that are based on national energy policies, market realities and renewable energy development.
- Develop and strengthen partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGOs and private sector and engage in bilateral or multilateral fora to increase awareness of the energy needs of refugees and encourage their inclusion in energy-related development planning.
- Advise on balancing UNHCR¿s energy response between fossil fuels and renewables in a sustainable and economical viable manner; oversee and support energy audits and related policy and programme development for reducing UNHCR¿s carbon footprint as an institution and for interventions related to refugee support.
- Develop capacity building programmes together with private, public and national and international stakeholders, to catalyse the transfer of knowledge and the autonomy of local responses by UNHCR and all involved stakeholders.
- Develop an energy equipment catalogue for key infrastructure and household level available through long term agreements of UNHCR and other UN agencies; carry out technical evaluations and support preparation for competitive tenders.
- Provide technical guidance and field support on planning, feasibility, programming and partnerships on renewable energy solutions;  oversee feasibility studies, design and specification of energy systems, renewable energy solutions and cost recovery schemes; conduct fuel analysis in field locations and project planning for clean fuel distributions including business planning and cost benefit analysis;.
- As needed, identify, select and manage expert personnel and prepare specifications, designs and terms of reference for the implementation of energy systems by suitably qualified and experienced contractors or technical partners.
- In collaboration with other UNHCR units, contribute to the development of funding proposals and advocate for financial support for energy interventions in cooperation with external relations, programme, country operations and other sectors.
- Coordinate the UNHCR energy team at HQs and support technical staff in regional and country locations.

Authority
- Represent UNHCR in relevant international meetings and technical conferences.
- Coordinate network of energy/environment officers and focal points at global, regional and operational levels.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. 
- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) in a field related to natural resource management, energy and environmental sciences, renewable energy, or energy economics/engineering plus minimum 8 years of relevant working experience in energy at professional level, with 3 years in an international capacity, preferably in developing countries. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Experience in energy provision and energy in humanitarian/development settings, planning, and monitoring and evaluation of energy-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 programmes.
- Fluency in English with strong working knowledge of at least one other UN language, French desirable.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES.
- Strong management experience and skills, including in design, project management, resource coordination, planning, and budgeting of small- to medium-scale renewable energy installations in rural and/or refugee settings.
- Comprehensive understanding of renewable energy systems, electricity, health and safety, in addition to international standards, energy regulation and policy; ability to apply knowledge from contemporary research in the field of energy to diverse humanitarian settings.
- Experience with energy audits and comparative analyses of energy systems, as well as in negotiations with national and government regulators specifically around technical installations.
- Knowledge of French language. C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X006L3 - Policy Development & Research Level 3
X003L3 - Technological Awareness Level 3
X002L3 - Innovation and Creativity Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

 

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

 

Please note that the closing date for vancancies in the Addendum 2 is Sunday 16 December 2018 (midnight Geneva time)