UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering an Energy Technical Writer Consultancy – Home-based Individual international consultant within the Private Partnerships & Philanthropy Section of UNHCR’s Private Sector Partnership Service (PSP) and the Technical Support Section of the Division of Resilience and Solutions (DRS).
UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 125 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.
- Title: Energy Technical Writer Consultant
- Duty Station: Home-based
- Duration: 1 September – 31 December 2021 (with possibility of extension): Maximum 87 working days within the duration of this contract
- Contract Type: Individual Consultant
- Closing date: 22 August 2021
- Start date: 1 September 2021 or as soon as possible
Organizational context
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) intends to raise awareness on good practices on how clean energy solutions in humanitarian refugee settings contribute to better life and self-reliance of refugees. UNHCR has established a Strategic Framework for Climate Action, under which a critical element is the roll out of the Global Strategy for Sustainable Energy 2019-2025 to bring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to all settlements of forcibly displaced people and surrounding host communities by 2030’.
The position
The overall objective of this assignment is to compile case studies on clean energy access and how it can contribute towards refugee self-reliance by boosting livelihood opportunities. Such case studies will draw from the experiences of completed, ongoing and proposed projects on two focus countries (TBD) through desk reviews, in-country research and surveys and key informant interviews to be published on internal UNHCR website (intranet) as well as external resources also in the form of brochures (hard copies and e-copies), to be used as good practice showcase for selected events.
The intended usage of the produced material is for communication purposes, knowledge sharing (best practices and lessons learnt), informed future project proposals, marketing, and energy program monitoring.
The desired impact of the assignment is to increase awareness on how clean energy technology and access can create opportunities for refugee livelihoods; review of technologies that are accepted or not (lessons learned); impact on refugees and local communities; and, supply chains availability. Furthermore, the adding value of promoting and advocating for clean energy solutions in vulnerable humanitarian settings of refugees and host communities increases self-resilience and support protection outcomes.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Desk review of public and UNHCR internal information on the selected countries
- Collect and analyze existing data and information concerning UNHCR, national and sub national energy programmes.
- Conduct desk review of secondary data (through literature, key informant interviews, etc.); analyze policy and legal framework; identify de facto barriers; and map complete, current, and planned activities.
- Carry out a baseline energy study to resolve gaps: determine demand, supply, current consumption and expenditures, and ability/willingness to pay
- Identify business models and technical solutions: define options for provision of energy services within framework and/or limitations of data and information.
- On-site visits, interviews, photos
- Development of communication material such as success stories/lessons learnt from field operations; funding proposals; web content; updates on activities in Energy and Environment units; promotional material, etc.
Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required
The ideal candidate will possess the qualification and experiences listed below:
a. Education
University degree in Energy, Energy/Electric Engineering, Environment, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences or other relevant fields as well as Technical Communication.
b. Work Experience
Minimum 2 years of relevant experience with graduate degree (equivalent of a Master’s), 3 years with undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS)); at least 1 years of international working experience in development and/or humanitarian settings with experience in energy access programmes.
c. Key Competencies
- Understanding of development programmes involving the energy sector
- Knowledge of the humanitarian responses, including but not limited to emergency response, project development, procurement processes and funding mechanisms
- Experience in sustainable energy solutions in displacement settings
- Experience in rural electrification
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English
- Research, exploration, data gathering and analytical skills
Location
This position is home-based.
Conditions
Under this contract the Individual Consultant is expected to work a maximum of 87 working days within the duration of the contract. Upon completion of project and receipt of invoice, payment will be issued for the actual hours worked.
How to apply
To learn more and apply, please visit https://bit.ly/3xyM8Av
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.
Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
Closing date: 22 August 2021 at 23.59 CEST