Shelter and Infrastructure Specialist (Solar and Hybrid Energy Systems)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations.

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 800 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2024 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context. 

DRC is currently looking for a Shelter and Infrastructure Specialist (Solar and Hybrid Energy Systems) for its activities in Kyiv.   

About the role:

The overall purpose of the role is to support the technical implementation of DRC’s new energy programming which falls under DRC’s shelter and settlements response. The Shelter and Infrastructure Specialist will ensure that DRC teams are provided with technical support and that projects have relevant ongoing technical oversight across the project cycle. The Shelter and Infrastructure Specialist will be technically responsible for DRC’s energy programming and will travel extensively to DRC’s area offices to support program teams and provide technical oversight in coordination with DRC’s MEAL department. Together with DRC’s grants department and Head of Programme the energy specialist will support in the development of new program and projects which are technical robust and needs and evidence based.

Your main responsibilities will be: 

Capacity building, training, and technical support to shelter and settlements teams

• Develop or support the development of technical guidance documents (e.g. standard operating procedures, guidelines, tools). Provide capacity building and training to teams on how to apply guidance for implementation.
• Provide or facilitate the provision of inductions, orientation, and capacity building to the field teams or other colleagues
• Ensure compliance of DRC’s energy portfolio with relevant technical standards.
• Ensure harmonized approach, methodologies, and consistent usage of technical tools across all areas/teams, and programs
• Assess the appropriateness of different programming options and appropriateness of different program activities and ensure implementation modalities best respond to the needs and context and intended project outcomes.
• Work alongside the Shelter and Settlements coordinator and program managers to develop the sector's strategic direction and plans including expanding energy programming based on the needs of target populations in Ukraine.
• Work closely with the Area Managers, Area Program Managers, area-level Shelter and Settlements Managers, and technical team leaders to address implementation challenges and identify needs for technical support
• Ensure inclusive and gender-sensitive approach in the implementation, in line with the DRC’s Policy on Age, Gender, and Diversity Mainstreaming
• Support field teams in conducting assessments, data collection, and analysis
• Closely coordinate and engage with other Sector Coordinators and Specialists to ensure the implementation of integrated programming, including inputs on integrated program strategies and the development of tools and guidance to facilitate program integration.

Monitoring and Evaluation and Quality Assurance of Energy programming

• Coordinate with DRC’s MEAL department to ensure that mechanisms are in place for effective ongoing monitoring and that quality assurances practices can take place across the implementation of DRC’s energy programming, and that impacts of the programming can be analysed and disseminated.
• Conduct regular field visits to the area offices as well as program locations and support field teams to ensure smooth and timely implementation of the energy infrastructure interventions to a high degree of program quality.
• Together with the MEAL team and Shelter and Settlements coordinator, design assessments which determine the needs of conflict affected rural populations to ensure that program design is rooted in robust data.

Program development and external representation

• Use primary and secondary data, field level contextual awareness, and discussions and priorities from various fora and stakeholders to provide high quality inputs into concept notes and proposals.
• Attend relevant energy infrastructure fora and disseminate minutes and key messages/perspectives from these meetings internally.  

About you:

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 3 years of relevant experience implementing energy infrastructure programming with a focus on solar/renewable energy and hybrid systems. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Degree in electrical or mechanical engineering or relevant field.
• Demonstrated capacity to create/review electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
• Demonstrated capacity to conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical and related site information for use in the design of a given solar power system.
• Demonstrated capacity to review financial estimation, timeline and technical specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives.
• Demonstrated capacity in overviewing installation, testing and monitoring of solar energy systems and provide advice on their operation and maintenance.
• At least 2 years of experience with people management preferred.
• Proven experience in capacity building and training of national staff and local partners.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft office.
• Full professional proficiency in English.Ukrainian professional proficiency an asset.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 
• Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

• Contract length: One-year contract after successful completion of three months’ probation period (renewable depending on performance and funding) 
• Band: G non-management 
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv
• Start date: November 1st, 2024

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National or Expatriates; please refer to Vacancies | DRC Danish Refugee Council

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. 

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: September 26th, 2024