JOB DESCRIPTION FOR JUNIOR RENEWABLE ENERGY EXPERT, EACREEE

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE) was established by the East African Community (EAC) to play a key role in promoting renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) in the region. EACREEE has been mandated by the EAC Council of Ministers responsible for energy to promote RE&EE in eight Partner States, including  Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Somalia (joined in 2023). EACREEE´s goal is to facilitate the creation of an enabling environment for RE & EE markets and investments, to contribute to (a) increased access of modern, affordable and reliable energy services; (b) energy security; and, (c) mitigation of negative effects (e.g. local pollution and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions).

EACREEE launched its technical activities five years ago. The EACREEE Secretariat is in place and has a fully functional office at Makerere University in Kampala City. The Centre is operating as a corporate body with the capacity to receive funds, and contracts and undertakes legal proceedings. Its governance, operational and accountability structures and procedures have been legalized, developed and approved, and its long-term strategy and short-term plans have been developed and endorsed. During its first operational phase of four years (from 2016 to 2020), the Centre has implemented a broad range of technical activities and identified main areas of intervention, which include support in regional energy policy, capacity building and project development and execution, knowledge management, lobbying, advisory provision, and financing and investment promotion. This has paved the way for a second operational phase of the Centre. Therefore, to consolidate the achievements and to strengthen the capacities of the Centre, the EACREEE Board of Directors requested the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to support the Centre during its 2^nd operational phase.

For the second period, EACREEE has identified and prioritized seven (7) strategic programmatic areas for the period 2020-2024, which include (i) accelerating the adoption of clean and sustainable cooking and heating; (ii) improving energy efficiency in the built industrial environment; (iii) promoting capacity building and investment in electrification via clean energy mini-grids and standalone solutions; (iv) ensuring inclusive and sustainable energy access in situations of displacement; (v) fostering a lighthouse of new technologies and solutions (storage, digitalization, innovative Renewable Energy Technologies (RET), and circular economy); (vi) promoting utility-scale and distributed grid-connect renewable energy;  and, (vii) enhancing women and youth entrepreneurship and employment in sustainable energy businesses within the EAC region.

This phase also counts on the technical assistance of UNIDO and with funding from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). Under the common umbrella of the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC), an initiative coordinated by UNIDO, EACREEE aims to play an active role in this global network, seeking to share experiences, cooperate on joint programs and advocate for RE&EE on a global level. The GN-SEC is an innovative south-south and triangular multi-stakeholder partnership to accelerate the energy and climate transformation in developing countries. The gradually expanding partnership comprises a sub-network of Centres for both the African and the Arab region (in cooperation with the EAC, SADC, ECOWAS, ECCAS and the Arab League) and a sub-network for Small Island Developing States (in cooperation with CARICOM, and SPC). The network is now becoming a global platform for knowledge exchange and provides a “maker-space” for south-south cooperation on joint issues and solutions.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Technical Support for the Second Operational Phase of the East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (Project ID 200110)

The 2^nd support phase of the project follows up on the initial one “Establishment and First Operational Phase of the East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE)”, which was implemented in partnership with the EAC Secretariat between 2013 and 2019. UNIDO moderated the complex intergovernmental decision-making process and provided services for institution-building and technical program development under the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC) Programme.  The 2^nd support phase is based on the findings of an undertaken external mid-term review, SWOT and PESTLE analysis of EACREEE.

The assessments have confirmed the continuing relevance and value proposition of EACREEE. They draw positive conclusions about the achievements and performance of the centre. EACREEE has full legal identity as EAC Centre of Excellence, hosted by the Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) in Kampala, Uganda. Its’ governance structure and rules and procedures are fully operational. Over the past years, the centre has built up a network of national focal institutions and various international partnerships. EACREEE has implemented initial technical activities and developed a project pipeline. The centre is well-connected to EAC processes and an active member of the GN-SEC.

However, the external reviews also revealed several shortcomings and risks, mainly related to the legal status and weak resource and technical capacity base of the centre. It has not developed its full potential. Lengthy discussions between EAC Partner States on the legal status of the centre led to significant delays and impacted negatively on the resource base and fund-raising abilities of EACREEE. The initial objective to establish the centre as full-fledged institution of the EAC has not been achieved. The current legal status of EACREEE as centre of excellence based on Ugandan law comes with some bottlenecks for its regional operations. Up to now, EAC Partner States are not paying membership fees.

Therefore, the overall objective of the 2nd support phase is to prepare the centre for full autonomy and long-term sustainability. During the project period, the centre will expand its programme portfolio and become a regional and international hub for RE&EE issues and solutions. The centre will increase its project implementation rate and develop joint programs with the other GN-SEC centres. International partnerships will leverage significant co-finance for the activities of the centre. The project will support EACREEE to transit to a full EAC institution and a sustainable funding model, which will include membership contributions of the EAC Partner States. 

Therefore, currently the centre is strengthening its technical and administrative staff capacities. In this context, EACREEE is recruiting a Junior Renewable Energy Expert, to be located at the EACREEE Secretariat in Kampala, Uganda. It shall be noted, that EACREEE looks for new innovative experts, who have so far not worked in the centre. Further information on the project is available at: www.eacreee.org and www.gn-sec.net.    

EACREEE aims to have an equal representation of men and women at all levels of the organization, through the implementation of effective gender mainstreaming practices, including achieving gender balance when recruiting technical and management positions.

EACREEE also aims to have regional balance from the EAC Partner States at all levels of the organization by ensuring that the human resource of EACREEE represent the different countries of the EAC.  EACREEE will make sure that recruitment processes are transparent and non-discriminatory. EAC Partner Countries include the Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Somalia (joined in 2023).

Scope of duties:

The Junior Renewable Energy Expert reports to the EACREEE Interim Director and UNIDO seconded EACREEE Technical Expert,  who coordinate closely with the UNIDO Project Manager (PM) and UNIDO HQ team. The junior expert will provide written progress reports on his/her activities every three working months. The assignment of the Junior Expert has the following scope and expected results:

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Natural Sciences with specialization in Energy technologies or energy policy and systems or any other relevant discipline. A master’s degree in Engineering or Natural Sciences is an added advantage.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least two (2) years of work experience in technical positions in the energy or electricity sector in one or several countries of the East African Community (EAC) is required.
• Good knowledge of the urban and rural energy challenges of the EAC region is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of renewable energy technology characteristics, economics, policies, incentives and business models is required.
• A good contact network with key energy institutions, utilities, universities and the private sector in the EAC is desirable;
• Experience in international development cooperation and coordination with development partners, including the United Nations (UN) and development banks, is desirable.
• Good analytical writing, presentation and communication skills are required. The application shall show-case a track-record of written project concepts or reports.
• Proficiency in Microsoft processing software (e.g. word, excel) and energy softwares is required;
• Demonstrated understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the field of energy, as well as the interconnections between energy and sustainable development is desirable;
• Ability to work under pressure and handle politically and culturally sensitive issues in a diplomatic manner;

Language Requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Excellent English writing skill is a mandatory requirement since all communication and documents will be conducted and submitted in English. Working knowledge of French and Swahili is highly desirable.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core values:

1. Integrity
2. Professionalism
3. Respect for diversity

Core competencies:

1. Results orientation and accountability
2. Planning and organizing. 
3. Communication and trust
4. Team orientation
5. Client orientation
6. Organizational development and innovation

How to Apply for the EACREEE Energy Efficiency Intern Role

All applications to be sent to info@eacreee.org

The Closing Date: Monday 15^th January 2024 by 5.00pm

NOTE: Citizens of all the East African Community member states are encouraged to apply!

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.