About Organisation:

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has a global mandate to improve nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living in rural populations and contribute to global economic’ growth. Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO’s efforts – to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

Job Summary:  The FAO Representation in Uganda provides technical assistance to the Government of Uganda in the agriculture, environment, fisheries and related sectors.  FAO is implementing two projects to address forest degradation resulting from unsustainable practices in biomass energy production and utilization in Uganda and especially in the displacement context notably the Greening the humanitarian response in displacement settings project which aims to  improve methodologies for assessing environmental impact, energy access and related livelihood challenges, and to promote best practices for a more inclusive and greener humanitarian response in Uganda and the Forest Management and Sustainable Charcoal Value Chain Project which aims at promoting sustainable charcoal production practices  to mitigate negative environmental, social and economic impacts and  to scale up adoption of clean cooking solutions. These projects are being in Northern, West Nile, Central and Mid-western Uganda. FAO seeks to recruit an energy specialist to support implementation of the project activities focused on enhancing access to improved energy technologies and clean cooking fuels.

Reporting Lines: The Energy Specialist will work under the overall supervision of FAO Representative in Uganda, direct supervision by the Project Coordinator, and in close collaboration with the programme Associate – Forestry.

Technical Focus: The incumbent will contribute to effective implementation of both the Greening Humanitarian Response in displacement settings project and the Forest Management and Sustainable Charcoal Value Chain project.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:   The Energy Specialist will specifically be responsible for the following activities:

• Plan and implement project activities on provision of improved kilns and cookstoves for a more energy efficient utilization of resources in displacement settings and monitor results.
• Support dissemination of information and data to key stakeholders to inform evidence-based environmental and energy interventions.
• In collaboration with the private sector, plan field demonstration and training on energy technology application and effective use
• Organize information and knowledge sharing workshops on renewable energy access, associated challenges and durable solutions.
• Document and share best practices and key lessons learnt from implementation of the greening humanitarian project in displacement settings.
• Support to build relationships with environment and energy development NGOs, Government Ministries and Departments, the academia and Private sector.
• Develop a policy brief on biomass energy production and utilization in Uganda.
• Implement activities on access to clean cooking solutions to targeted project beneficiaries.
• Profile different clean cooking technologies and fuels currently available on Ugandan market and develop a clean cooking information handbook.
• Prepare timely and submit monthly and quarterly reports on the project’s activities.
• Undertake any other activities related to the project as required.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Minimum Requirements

• The applicant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Energy Specialist job must hold a University degree in natural resources management, environmental science, energy, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in energy, natural resource management, or a closely related field with excellent understanding of Uganda energy sector on energy access, utilisation, and sustainability
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of Uganda or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies:

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Required Skills:

• Experience in energy with emphasis on community access.
• Experience in energy access value chain.
• Experience in renewable energy transition context for both emergency and development context.
• Experience in implementing field-based activities and routine performance reporting.
• Experience in working with a multi-stakeholder setting.
• Proven analytical capacity and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work with people of different professional, national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to listen, interpret and integrate different opinions and views.
• Ability to work independently, analyse and solve problems and priorities issues.
• Ability to be flexible, versatile and adapt to changing environments.
• Ability to plan and deliver work according to time-scales and required milestones with a strong commitment to quality and paying attention to detail.
• Ability to work in an environment with minimum supervision.

Selection Criteria

• Working knowledge of energy access policy framework in Uganda.
• Proven skills in socio-economic survey and expert knowledge of relevant tools.
• Proven skills in communication, presentation and writing high-quality reports.
• Good computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases).

NB: Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.