Job Description

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12, 2026

H (no hardship)

Family

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-07-01

Energy Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

Access to clean, affordable and reliable energy services is an integral part of the humanitarian response, as it contributes to a safe protection environment and sustainable economic development. Sustainable energy services are essential for basic human protection and aim to enable refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), host communities, and other persons we serve to meet their energy needs in a safe, sustainable, and affordable way. This recognizes the critical importance of access to sustainable energy in ensuring basic needs, improving human protection and well-being, and fostering inclusive communities.

Energy services provide cooking, lighting, heating, and clean water, and underpin all but the most rudimentary income-generating activities. Energy poverty leads to insecurity, increased risk of gender-based violence (GBV), reduced development opportunities, health problems, and environmental degradation.

In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), access to clean energy can significantly improve the health and well-being of millions of people.

The Energy Officer provides technical support to the Organization to meet the growing demand for access to sustainable, modern energy for forcibly displaced people and their host communities. This includes reducing costs, environmental degradation, carbon footprint, and climate impacts. The incumbent facilitates mainstreaming energy and climate considerations as cross-cutting issues across UNHCR operations, and within guiding frameworks such as the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), the Strategic Framework for Climate Action, and the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), among others. The position may be located in Headquarters, in a regional bureau, or in a country operation.

In country operations, the incumbent typically reports to the Senior Programme Officer, the Senior Operations Officer, or the Deputy or Assistant Representative. S/he works within multi-functional and interdisciplinary teams and plays a key role in ensuring that UNHCR delivers on its commitments to protect and improve the lives of forcibly displaced people and their hosting communities through culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable access to modern energy. S/he monitors the progress and quality of energy programme implementation to ensure that services are delivered in accordance with the UNHCR Emergency Handbook, technical guidelines, applicable UNHCR and national standards, and the SDG targets.

At Headquarters or in a regional bureau, the incumbent facilitates and supports the work outlined above in relevant operations and plays a broader role in providing guidance, capacity building, representation and advocacy to advance non-transactional programming for energy investments.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Contribute to the development of a suitable energy approach, taking into consideration area-based, multi-sectoral strategies, age and gender, cultural context, climatic conditions, environmental protection, and the availability of local resources – including materials, capacities, and existing energy-related infrastructure. Periodically review this approach to reflect evolving contexts and ensure alignment with national, regional, and global policies and guidelines, including the GCR, SDGs, and other relevant global strategies.

• Support the implementation of energy approaches or strategies in coordination with partners, including humanitarian and development actors, government entities, donors, the private sector, and external technical bodies such as academia. Similarly, provide inputs and support for other energy-relevant strategies, such as those related to WASH and climate.

• Ensure that standards in other relevant sectors – such as water and sanitation, shelter, education, health, and livelihoods – are considered when planning energy solutions, to ensure synchronized and coordinated implementation.

• Engage in advocacy efforts to advance non-transactional programming for energy investments. Contribute to the development of robust business cases in close consultation with Innovative Finance colleagues.

• Work in close collaboration with other sectors and emphasize the multi-sectoral links between Energy and Environment, Protection, Shelter, Settlement, WASH, Climate, Innovative Finance, and Health.

• Support the monitoring and coordination of all energy-related activities, including those implemented through WASH and climate programmes.

• Collaborate with supply personnel to advise on procurement matters related to energy items and systems, including the development of technical specifications, bills of quantities (BoQs), and drawings for bid documents.

• Evaluate the technical aspects of received bids and inspect the quality of energy products and works during implementation and upon completion.

• Oversee the operation and maintenance of energy systems. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) as necessary.

• Ensure e-waste management is properly handled.

• Contribute to the development of effective communication channels among key stakeholders and promote the sharing of information on energy-related activities, with a focus on user acceptance.

• Stay informed of governmental and national developments in electrical and renewable energy to ensure legal and advantageous energy incentives are explored.

• Support UNHCR’s representation in relevant international meetings and technical fora. Participate as the technical focal point for energy in coordination meetings with various stakeholders, including government counterparts and clusters, to ensure that UNHCR’s interests and those of the people we serve are adequately represented. Disseminate information to all stakeholders in a timely and efficient manner.

• Ensure energy access data is collected and recorded in the Technical Information Management System (TIMS).

• Collate energy access data (for both in-camp and out-of-camp programmes) to identify and promote the inclusion of the people we serve in national development plans, financing mechanisms, and service delivery systems.

In Regional Bureaux or HQ:

• Provide support to operations in defining the scope of UNHCR involvement, expressed through overall and operational objectives during emergency, transition, and protracted phases.

• Provide technical assistance to UNHCR offices and programmes in the development, integration, and mainstreaming of appropriate, client-focused, and cost-effective energy and climate activities.

• Collaborate at the global or regional level with a wide range of external energy stakeholders across the humanitarian and development spectrum, including government entities, the private sector, and academia.

• Advocate for the inclusion of forcibly displaced people and their hosting communities in regional, national, and local energy development plans.

In Country Operations:

• Ensure that energy activities align with UNHCR’s energy and other relevant strategies, energy entries in UNHCR’s Emergency Handbook, and the principles of the GCR.

• Assess, identify, and analyse cost-effective and appropriate sources of alternative energy for cooking, lighting, and electricity, in collaboration with all actors, including the private sector, development agencies, and government institutions.

• Support the design and implementation of specific programmes for cooking, lighting, and powering – including renewable energy – with a view to enhancing self-reliance, education, and protection.

• Assist with the coordination with the government, line ministries, service providers, and development and humanitarian actors to contribute to the design and implementation of a robust and appropriate renewable energy strategy. This should promote sustainable consumption and production, efficient use of natural resources, safety, and alignment with users’ ability and willingness to pay.

• Support the identification, establishment, and maintenance of links with relevant organizations to ensure access to sustainable energy for both forcibly displaced people and surrounding areas.

• Work using a multi-functional team approach and work in close collaboration with Programme and other technical experts to ensure energy-based interventions are approached from a cross-sectoral perspective.

• Advise UNHCR management in the operation on all energy-related matters.

• Ensure that minimum standards and best practices are met to uphold health and safety standards across all sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies.

• Document each stage of project development – including monitoring, testing, troubleshooting, lessons learned and applied solutions – to support institutional knowledge development.

• Advocate for the inclusion of forcibly displaced people and their hosting communities in regional, national, and local energy development plans.

• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).

• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Electrical Engineering; Energy Engineering; Environmental Engineering; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Environment

Environment Interventions Emergency

Electricity

Geographic Information Systems

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Prior experience in implementing energy access activities in humanitarian situations (both in emergency and protracted situations), coordinating with operational partners, government counterparts, development actors and the private sector. Proven knowledge of sustainable energy and technical experience in assessment, project formulation, supervision and management. Previous involvement in implementation processes (including bill of quantities, analysis of local capacity and markets, cost estimation), and commissioning and monitoring of energy programmes from a multi-sectoral and protection perspective. Experience in the application of participatory approaches to facilitate active participation of communities in the operations and maintenance cycles of energy infrastructure. Experience in building on existing local capacity and transferring knowledge as appropriate. Experience in mainstreaming environmental and climate-related considerations in energy-related programs. Familiarity with business models, innovative finance, and private sector operating modalities related to energy.

Desirable

Knowledge and understanding of international policies and regulations on energy. Knowledge of renewable energy, including financial, regulatory or policy frameworks, renewable energy financial management (including community involvement and capacity issues), and renewable energy business development (including business planning, entrepreneurship development). Experience in cost recovery systems, metering, energy audits and comparative analyses of fuel and energy systems. Knowledge of a range of renewable or clean energy access options, including sensitivity to cultural and gender-specific needs, to ensure that the social and cultural backgrounds of the forcibly displaced people are considered while designing, developing and implementing energy access activities. Familiarity with and considerable field exposure to UNHCR programme planning and implementation, and humanitarian operations. Experience in rehabilitation and development programmes.

Functional Skills

FO-Complex field emergency operations

EN-Energy measurement and verification techniques and protocols

EN-Cooking solutions (fuel+technology) in humanitarian setting

EN-Energy Programme Development

EN-Energy need assessment in emergency and protracted situations

EV-Clean Technologies Design and Management

EN-Solar Energy Usage Management

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Innovation and Creativity

Technological Awareness

Analytical Thinking

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Essential Attributes:
• Demonstrated professional experience in the private sector, such as with a renewable energy developer or consulting firm, working directly on renewable energy transitions.
• Experience in procurement and implementation of large-scale solar hybrid projects (> 1 MWp), under both PPA and EPC modalities including contract negotiation, bid management, and engagement with government and private sector entities.
• Experience with negotiating and reporting to private sector partners on fund utilization and project implementation.
• Proven ability to independently manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects, including donor reporting obligations, and private sector relationship management.
• Proven experience in fund management with substantial capitalisation (>15 mio.) to run a global asset portfolio, including financial planning, forecasting, and expenditure oversight.

Desirable attributes:
• Proven experience in financial modelling for innovative finance instruments in the humanitarian sector. A relevant professional certification in this area is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in leading an inter-disciplinary mid-sized team.
• Considering that the gender parity is not achieved within DRM/GMIS female candidates would be given preference.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The position of Energy Officer sits within the Division of Resource Management (DRM) and reports to the Head of the Global Infrastructure Services Unit under the Global Mobility and Infrastructure Service. This position leads the Sustainable Energy Service (SES) team.

SES provides UNHCR offices and refugee facing infrastructure with sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions to support optimum program delivery. It is committed to reducing the organization's dependency on expensive and volatile fuel supplies, lowering its carbon footprint, and increasing energy security in the field – and thereby supporting UNHCR’s mandate to protect and assist forcibly displaced people.

The team’s work is focused on the transition of UNHCR's infrastructure to solar energy and the improvement of generator efficiency. To finance these transitions, UNHCR has established the Green Financing Facility (GFF), an innovative revolving fund mechanism that covers upfront investments in energy infrastructure and recoups costs through lease payments from country operations. This approach enables the organization to cover the upfront costs of clean energy infrastructure and operate energy systems over their full lifecycle — reducing emissions, lowering operational costs, and ensuring greater financial sustainability compared to traditional grant funding.

In its position, the Energy Officer would lead the team across its full project lifecycle. This involves oversight of in-house system design and financial modelling, procurement and negotiations of PPA, EPC and O&M contracts with private sector suppliers, supervision of construction and commissioning, and long-term asset management while managing donor relations and GFF portfolio oversight. The Energy Officer would drive strategic planning, budget management, and cross-functional compliance with UNHCR's policies through coordination with legal and procurement functions as well as senior management.

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Arts: Energy Engineering, Bachelor of Arts: Environmental Engineering

Certifications

Electricity - Other, Environment Interventions Emergency - Other, Environment - Other, Geographic Information Systems - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance