Programme Policy Officer (Energy Expert) - International Consultant

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Programme Policy Officer - Energy Expert
TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Consultant (Level II)
UNIT/DIVISION: Programme
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Antananarivo/Madagascar with frequent missions in the field
DURATION: 11 months

Date of Publication: November 14, 2024

Deadline of Application: November 27, 2024

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

WFP Madagascar CO is starting the implementation of the new Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2024 – 2028. Energy access has been integrated in the plan as a cross cutting component, fundamental to reach WFP’s goals of saving lives and changing lives. Madagascar is one of the most exposed countries to climate change and its population frequently faces extreme climate shocks like cyclones and drought. WFP Madagascar intervenes in humanitarian and development contexts, and the need of energy interventions is relevant in both cases. From one side, beneficiaries of food distribution and schools require energy to prepare their meals, on the other side smallholder farmers require productive equipment for irrigation, and for the food processing and conservation. In the past years, WFP Madagascar started the integration of different energy activities in its programme, to support and complement more traditional WFP activities such as food distribution, school feeding and resilience interventions. A new initiative called Rapid Rural Transformation (RRT) was piloted in Madagascar: the installation of 25-kW solar-hubs to power productive equipment and providing different types of services to the rural communities. WFP is currently testing different business models with the aim of finding the best model to be scaled-up in the country. In addition to this initiative, different cooking technologies have been tested in both schools and HHs. A strategy for the scale-up of clean cooking technologies in WFP’s areas of intervention will be drafted to support the government reach its national objectives of decreasing use of biomass for cooking. WFP is also working to increase the sustainability of its operations. Solar systems have been already installed in different offices and warehouses in the country, additional ones will be installed in 2024, in both WFP and common UN premises.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The energy expert will work under the supervision of the Head of resilience section, receiving guidance from Deputy Head of Programme as and when necessary. The key responsibilities include

OPERATIONAL
1. Support the installation of the new solar system in field offices and warehouses.

2. Evaluate the need for new solar systems in Tulear and Manakara field offices, and for the logistics hub in Manakara.

3. Ensure reliable electricity supply of electricity in off-grid field offices through the use of sustainable energy sources.

PROGRAMME
1. Support the implementation of the Rapid Rural Transformation (RRT) initiative in Madagascar through the installation of 13 new solar-hubs (5 x 25 kW and 10 x 15 kW).

2. Support the Resilience Unit defining and implementing activities related to food systems and agriculture, and other productive uses of electricity around RRT sites.

3. Support the implementation of  cost-benefit analysis of the RRT initiative, and a scale-up strategy in Madagascar.

4. Support the piloting of different management models in RRT solar hubs: community based, private operator, hybrid model. Define pros and cons of each model and generate evidence to define the best approaches to be scaled up.

5. Support the procurement unit establishing LTAs with local suppliers on solarhubs, solar cold rooms, portable solar pumps, institutional solar e-cooking solutions.

6. Support piloting and evaluating different types of clean cooking technologies in schools and drafting a scale up strategy in 1000 schools, including carbon credit potential. Present the results to Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Energy.

7. Drafting a MoU with the Ministry of Energy to formalize the collaboration with the Rapid Rural Transformation (RRT) initiative and clean cooking interventions. 8. Supporting the drafting of a strategy for the diffusion of clean cooking technologies for HHs in southern Madagascar.

9. Supporting writing of proposals on the energy sector: EU PACTE VERT, AfDB, World Bank, USAID…

10. Participating to national working groups on energy and environment

11. Train a national energy advisor to ensure sustainability of the interventions after the deployment.

DELIVERABLES:

• Strategy on RRT projects implementation and scale up plan are developed and implemented.

• Country Clean cooking strategy is developed and piloted  piloted in 25 schools and recommendations for the scale-up presented to the government. 

• Tender process and installation of new solar systems in three offices 

• MoU with Ministry of Energy, including a strategy for the scale-up of Rapid Rural Transformation (RRT) initiative and clean cooking technologies in the Country have been developed.

• An effective business and management model for off-grid solar-hubs have been developed and tested in collaboration with all the stakeholders involved in the RRT initiative.

• Contribute to develop proposals integrating solar energy. 

• The national energy experts have been trained and can ensure continuity of energy activities in the country office.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:

Master’s degree, with (7 – 10) years of experience in “renewable energy/ climate studies/ environmental protection/ Energy technology/ science/ humanitarian laws/ social development/ project development”.  

Competencies:

Generic professional competencies for this position:

• Understanding of the humanitarian contexts in general and clean energy needs and challenges in specific.

• Technical experience in renewable energy systems design, implementation, and monitoring.

• Knowledge about the humanitarian energy needs (clean cooking solutions, access to electricity, greening the operation.)

• Knowledge of humanitarian global initiatives as (Global Platform for Action (GPA), New clean energy challenge, SAFE, SEforAll, Moving Energy Initiative). 

• Knowledge of standard ICT office systems and tools

Languages: Fluency (level C) in English and French

Behavioral Competencies:

• Planning and delivering results

• Working with people

• Analyzing

• Influencing

Personal qualifications: 

• Ability to work in a collaborative manner with team members and multiple stakeholders at various levels. 

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in highly stressful situations and contexts. 

• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Cultural sensitivity. 

• Strong analytical abilities. 

Deadline of Application: November 27, 2024

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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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