Solar Energy Expert, Seconded to UNHCR

Operational context

The secondment of technical experts from SDC/HA to UNHCR over the past six years has resulted in tremendous added value to address the operational gaps between the emergency response and more sustainable longer-term solutions which are technically sound and can reduce the cost of operations and maintenance.  Rigorous technical support is necessary to be able to effectively address not only technical issues but also ensure that the outcomes are optimal from a financial and environmental perspective. 

The mix of technical operational support (remote and ad hoc field visits) combined with capacity building initiatives that have been spearheaded by secondees from SDC (e.g. Applied Hydrogeological training and Solar water pumping training) has been recognized as a key added value to the quality of the services indirectly and directly provided to UNHCR people we serve (PWS).

 Overall goal

Humanitarian crises are becoming increasingly complex. UNHCR field operations encounter major operational and technical limitations to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. This mission is part of the newly established Geneva Technical Hub (GTH) that aims at supporting UNHCR field operations in continued quality technical programming and thus contributing to improved response and service delivery to the life of PWS. The GTH aims at strengthening comprehensive responses, solve specific technical questions, test and roll out innovative and scalable solutions with potential continued collaboration with Swiss academia, in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), Shelter & Settlement, Energy & Environment and Protection. The project contributes to Switzerland’s initiative Tech4Good. The collaboration between UNHCR and SDC through the GTH will continue to strengthen:

Operational level: The hub designs, tests and rolls out innovative solutions to complex issues arising in specific contexts. Combined with existing resources, UNHCR country operations’ capacities will be enhanced to deliver integrated multi-sectoral technical solutions for displaced communities, specific to the respective areas.

Technical level: Selective expert secondments specific to contexts and complexities allow direct involvement in and close follow up on operations and suitability of concepts. Hence, specialized technical advice and guidance foster multi-sectoral technical support with a focus on DRR, WASH, Shelter & Settlement, Energy & Environment and Protection. Consequently, displaced populations and host communities will benefit from integrated practical and adequately resourced interventions adapted to the local context.

Institutional level: the expert will contribute to greening the operational response in line with the Strategic Framework for Climate Action and support will be provided to Country Operations (COs) and Regional Bureaus (RBs) for identifying technical solutions to environmental sustainability and climate resilience of humanitarian responses. Integrated approaches to comprehensive capacity building for UNHCR, partners’ and other stakeholders’ technical staff will promote learning, skills transfer, and knowledge building on innovative approaches in all relevant technical areas.

The GTH sits within the Technical Support Section (TSS) in UNHCR’s Division of Resilience and Solutions in Geneva.

Specific aim of the mission

The implementation of the UNHCR Operational Strategy for Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability defines the main aim of the mission. This will include providing continuous technical support on all issues related to solar energy and electrification access in UNHCR operations, develop and disseminate best practice guidance on topics related to infrastructure electrification further and develop SOPs with an aim to improve capacity building for UNHCR field colleagues and partners. 

Mission objectives

• Technical backstopping on solar energy access and electrification projects as well as on solar water pumping under Project Flow, including during the following phases run at field level: feasibility studies, design, procurement, installation, O&M, troubleshooting and training.
• Collaborate with all technical specialists in the GTH in the areas of energy, environment, WASH, but also shelter and settlements to ensure an integrated approach.
• Guidance and development of tailor-made remote training material and publications on GTH website (Know-how documents, presentations, technical videos, e-learning courses).
• Field missions to be conducted upon request from UNHCR.

 Responsibilities

The Solar Energy Expert will be a member of the GTH, under the direct supervision of the Technical Coordinator at the HQ. Potential tasks are listed below. The specific activities which will be undertaken by the expert will be prioritized through discussions between the expert, UNHCR’s Technical Coordinator and Chief of Section, and other members of the GTH.

 Technical Assistance and Field Support

• Carry out technical field missions to selected country operations identified by UNHCR in the field of solar energy access (electrification, solar energy systems, hybrid system), including, but not limited to solarization of water pumping systems under Project Flow, standalone solar systems, solar hybrid systems for refugee supporting infrastructure (schools, health centers and other relevant community level facilities), as requested by country operations, regional bureaus and HQ.
• Provide technical backstopping (in the field or remotely) and undertake technical analyses, feasibility studies, energy assessments, development and review of detailed design including Bill of Quantities (BOQs) and technical specifications, input to technical guidance for electricians, for infrastructure electrification, including, but not limited to, solar water pumping (Project Flow), off-grid solar energy systems with photovoltaics and energy storage, connection to national grids or local mini grids, and energy metering and billing, in conjunction with partners and local governments.
• Support approved solar energy and electrification programmes (e.g., solar water pumping under Project Flow) implementation, including tendering processes and documentation of technical products and services, technical specifications at country, regional bureau and global level, in the energy sector in close collaboration with relevant UNHCR colleagues.
• Installation of energy smart meters for the implementation and monitoring of the solar energy projects, indicate if the sites/infrastructures are adequate, provide recommendations and troubleshooting of malfunctioning systems including, but not limited to solar water pumping systems, standalone solar systems, solar hybrid systems for refugees supporting infrastructure (schools, health centers and any other relevant building as identified).

Coordination and Strategic Partnerships

• Support UNHCR efforts to scale-up of validated solar energy solutions and strengthen O&M solutions within refugee contexts, and when needed include the host communities.
• Identify strategic partnerships at country and regional level with technical specialized NGOs or technical cooperation agencies that strengthen UNHCR and host government ability to respond to energy shortage issues for refugees, other persons of concern and hosting communities.

 Monitoring and Knowledge Management

• Undertake a desktop review of existing documents, studies, and data to support the missions and the diagnosis, avoiding duplicated work, and point out gaps and possible improvements on the documents.
• Continued support in developing and rolling out solar energy guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures
• Evaluate the feasibility of solar energy solutions for a given refugee settlement, with a focus on readily available or easily collectable data/information and including a financial and/or economic analysis (lifecycle cost, cost-benefit analysis).
• Contribute to the implementation and O&M monitoring frameworks.
• Support the various communities of practice as related to solar energy topics.

 Research

• Review and remotely support studies carried out in UNHCR operations by consultants and energy specialists.
• Collate evidence on best practice for solar energy access and electrification solutions which are appropriate: low cost, durable, provide livelihood opportunities, capture/produce value products, scalable and fundable, based on renewable technologies including solar panels, batteries, inverters, cabling, hybrid (solar-diesel) at household and institutional level
• Propose and adapt solar energy innovative solutions including innovation activities conducted by partners, which may continue to be supported in 2024.

 Training and Capacity Building

• Develop of training materials for remote capacity building, such as videos and e-learning content
• Organise webinars, meetings, trainings on topics related to energy in humanitarian contexts
• Document and disseminate best practice learning developed by field mission, engage in Dos and Don’ts and support information sharing.

 Profile

Experience

• Advanced knowledge and experience in solar energy engineering, electrical engineering or related fields, with proven and referenced experience in field applications within the humanitarian and rural context, with minimum 5 years of experience.
• Expertise in planning, designing, implementation, monitoring, troubleshooting and reporting on the specific challenges as related to solar energy and electrification in the humanitarian contexts.
• Demonstrated experience of minimum 5 years in organising and conducting training activities and lecturing in the field of solar energy access and rural electrification
• Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks in a courteous and service-oriented manner in a demanding working condition that often has short deadlines.
• Exposure to UNHCR mandate, its priorities, and principles is desirable.

 Essential requirements

• Advanced University Degree in Solar Energy Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or relevant related field
• Excellent knowledge of English (written / oral / comprehension), French desirable

 Personal Characteristics

• Ability related to analytical and creative thinking for rapid solutions.
• Good communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiations skills to deal with persons of various cultural and educational backgrounds.
• Strive to live up to high ethical and professional standards.
• A team player with service-oriented attitudes.

Level of employment:  50%

Duty station:  Geneva / Home based with potential travel to the field TBD

Contract: SHA contract.

This position is exclusively open to Swiss citizens (or Lichtenstein) or holder of a valid working permit (C permit) in Switzerland. Candidates who do not fulfil this condition will not receive response.

Contact

Odette Mauron, Odette.mauron@eda.admin.ch
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC
Humanitarian Aid
Field Resources H
Eichenweg 5
3003 Berne