Senior Energy Associate

The Senior Energy Associate provides technical expertise and operational support for energy projects in the Kakuma and Kalobeyei operational area, focusing on sustainable, market-based energy solutions integrated with other programming sectors. The role involves monitoring, coordination, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement to ensure effective delivery of energy interventions aligned with UNHCR and Kenya's energy strategies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular field visits across Kakuma refugee camp and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement to monitor progress of ongoing energy projects including solar electrification and electric cooking initiatives.
• Maintain updated activity tracker and work plan dashboard, flagging delays, risks, and mitigation measures.
• Monitor quality of contractor and partner activities including solar installations and training programmes.
• Verify effective functioning of O&M contracts and escalate maintenance issues.
• Monitor operational performance of solar systems at health facilities, schools, market areas, and UNHCR field facilities.
• Ensure systematic data collection and documentation including beneficiary counts and energy production data.
• Prepare weekly and monthly technical monitoring reports for submission and contribution to Situation Reports.
• Supervise and coordinate training of local youth in operation and maintenance of solar systems and electric cooking devices.
• Support rehabilitation of non-functional energy systems due to maintenance deficits or spare parts unavailability.
• Collaborate with WASH section to support solarization of boreholes and water infrastructure.
• Support piloting and scale-up of market-based energy approaches including engagement with private sector and micro-enterprise models.
• Provide technical guidance and support to implementing partners on energy and environment projects.
• Support capacity development of UNHCR Kakuma staff and partners on sustainable energy concepts and reporting tools.
• Contribute to awareness-raising sessions for beneficiaries on safe use and maintenance of energy technologies.
• Support implementation and scale-up of market-based renewable energy and clean cooking solutions focusing on investment readiness, gender-responsiveness, and sustainability.
• Act as UNHCR's field-level energy focal point maintaining engagement with NGO partners, government, private sector, and community representatives.
• Participate in field-level working groups and coordination forums related to energy, environment, WASH, and settlement planning.
• Engage with private sector energy service providers and financial institutions exploring investment opportunities.
• Maintain communication with Senior Energy Officer in Nairobi contributing field-based evidence and updates.
• Produce structured weekly field monitoring reports covering progress, challenges, risks, and recommendations.
• Produce monthly activity progress reports including project tracker updates and key performance indicators.
• Contribute to energy section of UNHCR Kakuma-Kalobeyei Situation Report.
• Prepare ad hoc technical notes, field visit reports, and assessment summaries as required.
• Maintain accurate project documentation including contracts, technical specifications, drawings, and training records.
• Document and compile lessons learned and best practices to inform Kenya-wide and global energy strategies.
• Prepare end-of-assignment report summarizing achievements, lessons learned, and strategic recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with 4 years relevant experience or master's degree with 2 years relevant work experience in Renewable Energy, Energy Engineering, Environmental Science, Sustainable Development, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of two (2) to four (4) years of relevant professional experience in renewable energy project implementation, monitoring, and/or coordination.
• Experience in a humanitarian, development, or integrated settlement context is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated familiarity with solar energy systems, including design, installation, and O&M, is required.
• Experience with clean cooking technologies, productive use of energy (PUE), and/or market-based energy approaches is a significant advantage.
• Prior experience working in refugee settings, integrated development contexts, or remote, arid operational environments is desirable.
• Knowledge of the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Plan (KISEDP) and refugee self-reliance frameworks is an asset.
• Strong monitoring, data collection, and analytical skills, with the ability to translate field data into actionable recommendations.
• Sound understanding of humanitarian and development energy needs, encompassing electricity access, clean cooking, greening of operations, and market-based approaches.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multi-cultural, and multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Demonstrated capacity to perform under pressure in stressful, remote, and resource-constrained settings.
• Proficiency in standard ICT tools and energy data collection and visualisation software.

Skills

• Renewable Energy Project Implementation
• Energy Monitoring
• Energy Coordination
• Solar Energy Systems Design
• Solar Energy Installation
• Solar Energy Operation and Maintenance
• Clean Cooking Technologies
• Productive Use of Energy
• Market-Based Energy Approaches
• Humanitarian Energy Needs
• Development Energy Needs
• Data Collection
• Data Analysis
• Energy Data Visualization
• Capacity Building
• Stakeholder Engagement
• ICT Tools Proficiency
• Sustainable Development
• Refugee Energy Programming

Languages

English