Access to clean, affordable and reliable energy services is integral part of the humanitarian response and an essential factor in creating sustainable economic development. Sustainable energy services are essential for basic human protection and aim to enable refugees, IDPs, host communities and other persons of concern to meet their energy needs in a safe, sustainable and affordable way, recognizing the critical importance of access to sustainable energy to ensure basic needs, improve human protection and well-being, and foster communities´ inclusiveness.

Energy services provide cooking, lighting, heating and clean water at household level, community and institutions underpin all but the most rudimentary income-earning activities. Energy poverty 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 incumbent will provide technical support on sustainable energy in the operation.

The Energy Associate will work very closely with the technical sectors, Programme and Protection colleagues. The incumbent will report to the WASH Officer. The successful candidate will work to support mainstreaming of energy and environment related activities across all UNHCR sectors.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

• Contribute to the implementation of the sustainable energy and environment related interventions
• Contribute to the assessment and identification of cost effective and appropriate sources of alternative energy for pumping water systems (solarization), cooking, lighting and electricity in collaboration with all actors, including private sector, development agencies and governmental institutions.
• Contribute to the design of specific projects and pilot energy for cooking, lighting and powering, including renewable energy, with a view towards enhancing self-reliance, education and protection.
• Work in multi-sectoral team and contribute to the linkage of Energy with Environment, Protection, Shelter and Settlement, Public Health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
• Contribute to the monitoring and coordination of all sustainable energy activities.
• Contribute to the identification, establishment and linkage with relevant organizations to ensure access to sustainable energy for both refugees and the surrounding areas
• Work in multi-functional team approach and work in close collaboration with programme and other technical experts, to ensure energy-based interventions are approached from a cross-sectoral perspective.
• Assist the operation to ensure that minimum best practices are met to assure health and safety standards across all sustainable energy and energy efficient technologies.
• Contribute to the documentation of the project development including monitoring, testing, trouble shooting, lessons learned, and solutions applied to assure institutional knowledge development.
• Contribute to the development of effective communication channels between all key stakeholders and promote the sharing of information on energy related activities.
• Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

•           UNHCR’s policies, standards and procedures relating to Energy and Environment are appropriately and coherently applied in the area of responsibility

•           UNHCR country operation has sufficient support in the field of Energy and Environment and thus better able to meet the needs of persons of concern.

•           Implementation of Energy and Environment in targeted locations clearly documented, reported and shared

a. Education 

High School Diploma or first degree in Engineering or any related technical field

b. Work Experience 

3 years relevant hands on experience in Energy and Environment related projects. Experience working with INGOs, Private firms, UN, government authorities, development partners, civil society and/or public/private sector.

c. Key Competencies 

Knowledge of English and Arabic (written / oral / comprehension) is Required. Knowledge and understanding of policies and regulations on energy. Knowledge of renewable energy, knowledge of solarisation of water supply infrastructure, including financial, regulatory and/or policy frameworks, renewable energy financial management (including community involvement and capacity issues), renewable energy business development (including business planning, entrepreneurship development). Experience of cost recovery systems, metering, energy audits and comparative analyses of fuel and energy systems

Only short listed candidates will be notified.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Candidate Assessments may include a written examination followed by a Competency Based Interview.