Ref: ACT/EGS/18/2015
1.0 Job Summary
Reporting to the Program Manager, the Energy Specialist (ENRM) will be based in Nairobi and will be responsible for providing technical support on energy as well as ENRM advocacy programming.
The post holder is primarily responsible for providing leadership on mainstreaming energy issues within the Environment and Natural Resources Management Platform ensuring responsiveness to the context and making certain that all initiatives are based on sound external analysis.
Key Responsibilities
2.0 Program Management
Provide technical leadership on Act’s energy portfolio, ENRM energy concerns for all of Act!’s programs, support and improve climate mitigation and resilience energy related initiatives;
Streamline energy project development and investment processes by developing initiatives within the program and project designs to respond to energy concerns;
Provide advisory services to all Act! partners on Environment and Natural Resources Management within the context of energy;
Ensure that all ENRM initiatives on energy and reporting take into account the environmental concerns and linkage with livelihoods;
On a weekly basis and monthly basis, track, assess and analyze the environmental context of Kenyan and energy dynamics;
Provide technical support to NRM Energy networks through the sharing of best practices and policy advocacy;
Continuously review the mainstreaming of Energy considerations in program activities and reporting of success stories;
Actively inform the ENRM platform and specifically the CRM Facility on local and international innovations and debate particularly on energy initiatives as relates to climate change and local adaptations;
Coordinating and providing ground support and linkages between CRM partners, government ministries, CSOs and the private sector and any relevant partners;
Assist in the design of suitable IEC materials to educate and sensitize partners on critical developments in the Energy Sector through advocacy activities;
Participate in the selection of appropriate partners for Act!’s ENRM interventions;
Contribute towards Energy program component design, planning, implementation and evaluation.
Support partners in the development of effective ENRM energy projects and programs.
3.0 Financial management
Contribute to the budgeting process for all proposals submitted within the ENRM platform on energy initiatives.
Work closely with the Grants team in providing up to date reports on partner performance.
4.0 Capacity development
Work closely with the Capacity Development Manager in delivering programs that are responsive to Act!’s Capacity Development approach;
Adequately analyze the Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) data and submit draft report (analysis) and raw data to the organizational capacity development team;
Identify, design and deliver appropriate ENRM-energy related capacity building interventions, to target partners and grantees.
5.0 Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning
Ensure that all energy concerns are adequately tracked through the project cycle and interventions are as responsive as possible;
Carry the responsibility and be part of the team concerned with donor reporting on Energy concerns across programs;
Support program reporting, peer learning on key cross-cutting issues within programs, and keep abreast of changing sector knowledge and best practice;
Participate actively in contributing to documentation of “success stories” and other anecdotal information to enhance the overall quality of performance reports to the donors;
Contribute towards the design and operationalization of Platform level MERL plans;
Track partners’ progress through the M and E on line system, document and advice as required.
6.0 Representation and networking
Establish and maintain regular contact with energy beneficiary groups and partner organizations and to liaise and co-ordinate with the appropriate Government and Non-governmental bodies whenever appropriate to ensure successful project progress;
Represent the program and Act! at meetings, forums and processes to stay up to date with unfolding events or on advocacy and energy issues and ensure that Act! is best placed to advise donors and other stakeholders;
Maintain an electronic and physical database of all energy strategic actors relevant to Act’s work in liaison with the data base administrator.
Any other duties as called upon by the CRM Programme Manager.
7.0 Qualifications, Experience and Essential Skills
The minimum required academic and professional skills for the jobholder to perform successfully in their job:
7.1 Academic Qualifications
A university degree (preferably post-graduate) related to environmental science, natural resource management, engineering or comparable fields of study.
7.2 Professional Qualifications
Post graduate qualification in project/ program design, development and management.
7.3 Experience
At least 6 years’ relevant working experience in development organizations of progressively responsible experience in one or more of the areas of energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate change policy and Low Emission Development (LEDs).
Past experience in several of the following energy fields; Biomass to energy (biogas and solid), Carbon finance, Small Hydro, PV for grid connection, Wind power, Solar power, mitigation and adaptation, (LEDs) will be preferred.
7.4 Essential Skills & Competencies
Broad knowledge of environment and natural resource management issues in Kenya, particularly related to renewable energy and climate change.
Strong analytical and report writing skills as well as excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
Self-driven and able to deliver results with minimum supervision.
Willingness to travel extensively within the region, work extended periods in the field and interact effectively with partners and willingness to learn new approaches.
Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural environment and with partners at all levels.
Highly proficient in Ms Word, Excel, Access, Power-point and the use of Internet for research.
How to Apply
If you meet the requirements as contained in the description, please submit (1) a detailed and current CV; (2) an application cover letter demonstrating why they qualify for this opportunity, quoting your current and expected gross salary.
All applications should be submitted electronically to hr.admin@act.or.ke quoting the reference number (ACT/EGS/18/2015).
Only candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted.
Deadline for applications submission is 5:00pm Friday 27th November 2015