Background

NRC’s stated ambition for 2030 within the 2022-2025 Global Strategy is to “promote access to clean and sustainable energy for displacement-affected communities and explore programmes that contribute to carbon offsetting where this has direct benefits for displaced populations”. Such ambition has been developed in NRC’s four of our Core Competencies Global Strategies issued in 2022:

• Shelter and Settlements strategic priority aiming at: Displaced populations have access to reliable, clean, affordable, and sustainable energy that will improve their living conditions at home, across the community (schools, infrastructure, etc.) and contribute to self-reliance (livelihoods).
• WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) strategic priority on climate change mitigation: NRC WASH teams will work effectively to reduce their carbon footprint and support communities to sustainably manage natural resources.
• Education strategic priority on climate: By addressing climate change through our education programmes, we will limit the potential impact it has on the lives of displacement-affected children and youth.
• Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS) strategic priority on environmentally sustainable programming: LFS will integrate environmental and climatic vulnerabilities in strategies, response design and implementation.

Through these strategic priorities, NRC recognises the need to develop the expertise, tools and guidance in an integrated and cross-sectoral approach that will allow increased energy access for the displacement-affected population in conflict-affected situations where we operate, and to transition to a more efficient and sustainable use of energy for our operations.

Job Purpose

In line with these organisational priorities, the Regional Clean Energy Adviser role aims to build on and expand the work started by the NRC Regional Roving Energy expert deployed to the Middle East in 2022 focused on ‘greening the orange’ and Strategic Enabler 4 (of the NRC Global strategy 2022-2025) Reducing our environmental footprint but this position looks to add a much larger focus on supporting programming addressing the impacts of climate change on displacement-affected people (Strategic Objective 3 of the NRC global strategy).

The role will support NRC Country offices (CO) to prepare for the transition to clean energy at the country level by conducting energy and energy-related market assessments; developing detailed energy transition action plans for priority countries as well as providing a comprehensive overview of best solutions and ways forward, that shall be taken on by NRC staff. This includes also contributing to building the capacity of NRC staff in the selected country offices.

What you will do

Policy and strategy and programme development

• Responsible for ensuring compliance and adherence to NRC policies, guidance, and procedures in relation to the relevant thematic area while contributing to the development of policies, strategies, tools, and new approaches with a focus on innovation and piloting.
• Responsible for supporting the development of country/regional clean energy strategies and implementation plans in line with global policies and strategies.
• Work in partnership with the Head office (HO) Support and Programme Departments to contribute to innovation and development (specific to energy), including piloting and learning from experiences at the country office and regional level, development of policies, strategies and tools, and sharing learning with other regions.
• Contribute to the resource mobilization and fundraising for regional programme development related to clean energy.

Technical development, support, and capacity building

• Responsible for providing strategic advice, technical support, and capacity-building support to the Country Offices (COs) in the region on relevant clean energy strategies or cross-cutting issues, across COs in the region and the Regional Office. May provide some technical supervision to technical staff in Country Offices.
• Ensure that clean energy strategies and plans contributes to integrated programming and analysis and that these interventions are measured. Work with NRC LFS, WASH and Shelter regional advisors to develop and promote multisector environmental-friendly solutions based on circular economy for population affected by displacement.
• Conduct energy needs assessment based on data provided and observations in affected areas or at potential project sites and market analysis of the possible clean energy alternatives. Provide recommendation of measures for efficient energy usage in NRC offices in the region.
• Contribute to the NRC global development of clean energy, through collaborative working with and contribution to the NRC Global Development Lead leading the thematic area, and by sharing learning and expertise with the Head Office (HO) level and other Regions.

Quality standards, data analysis and M&E

• Responsible for ensuring that best practices within the clean energy area are identified, documented and disseminated both within the region and beyond.
• Work in partnership with M&E staff, to ensure the alignment of the programmatic areas in the M&E and Project Cycle Management (PCM) systems in relation to clean energy.
• Responsible for supporting and monitoring country programme compliance with the Programme Policy and respective quality assurances in relation to clean energy.

Networking, representation, and relationships

• Responsible for identification, development, and maintenance of relationships with relevant stakeholders (e.g., donors, UN agencies, NGOs, research- and educational institutions, private sector) related to NRC’s clean energy activities.
• Identification of national and regional private actors able to provide innovative services in terms of clean energy solutions.
• Work in partnership with the regional and country office advocacy leads to identify and develop regional advocacy issues related to clean energy and relevant cross-cutting issues.

Professional competencies required for this position

• Advanced university degree in engineering, electrical engineering, sustainable development studies, economics, business administration, environmental management, energy technology, or relevant fields.
• A minimum of six years of relevant professional experience in a private sector Engineering and Constructions and/or energy provider, management consulting or auditor/consulting firm; investment firm or social enterprise with energy/infrastructure focus; or UN/humanitarian/development agency working directly on operationalising renewable energy transitions.
• Direct experience designing and implementing development/humanitarian projects a highly desirable advantage.
• Experience in the planning, design, budgeting and management of electrical energy systems especially renewable solutions and energy standards as well as audits.
• Extensive knowledge of financial, regulatory and/or policy frameworks, renewable energy financial management.
• Familiarity with renewable energy business development and pilot programming with good understanding of testing equipment and the process of test, inspection, verification, and commissioning.
• Familiarity with other non-solar-based energy solutions (biogas, biomass, hydraulic, wind)
• Extensive experience in programming in complex and volatile contexts
• Experience of strategic approaches to programme development and delivery as well as programme quality assessments with experience developing practical tools and resources
• Understanding of, and commitment to working collaboratively with technical and operational colleagues within a matrix structure, including capacity building
• Fluency in English and (relevant languages for the Region), both written and verbal

Behavioural competencies

• Empowering and building trust
• Managing resources to optimize results
• Planning and delivering results
• Managing performance and development
• Influencing

What We Offer

NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.

We offer an opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause and a chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply and join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take initiative.

We are also looking for people who share our values:

• To be dedicated in what we do;
• To be innovative with our solutions;
• To act as one unified and inclusive team;
• To be accountable to the donors that make our work possible; the people we exist to serve, and to each other… the members of our NRC family.

Additional Information:

Duty Station: Amman, Jordan

Travel: Approximately 40% regional travel

Grade 9 in NRC’s grading structure

Reporting to: Regional Programme Director – Middle East

For more information regarding the role, here is the detailed job description.

We invite applications from all qualified and interested candidates. Send in your application by latest March 27 2023.

Please ensure you attach copies of your academic and professional certificates.

For any queries, please email us at [email protected] with the job title as the subject line.