Renewable Energy Specialist

Renewable Energy Specialist

LOCATION: Beirut, Lebanon

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed term – end of December 2023

JOB FAMILY: Programme

ONE OXFAM GRADE: C       ZONE:2

DEPARTMENT:

Global Programs, Lebanon Country Team                                                                 

TEAM:  Lebanon Country Team

SALARY:  In line with Lebanon salary scale and benefits

HOURS:  Full time, to a maximum of 40hrs

FLEXIBLE WORKING

We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization.

JOB PURPOSE: The Renewable Energy Specialist will be based in Beirut, he/she will lead on technical aspects of OiL programme around renewables with focus on Solar Energy. The Specialist leads on programme design and knowledge production related to renewable energy and emerging technologies (focus on solar), support understanding of environmental impacts of OiL’s interventions, and provide technical leadership to ensure quality implementation of interventions. The Renewable Energy Specialist supports colleagues and works to ensure that a Humanitarian-Development Nexus Approach is always considered along with influencing at local and national levels. The Specialist is expected to work closely with relevant Water Establishment teams and Water Authorities to provide technical support and will be responsible for effective monitoring of activities, learning, and knowledge generation.

JOB REPORTS TO

Humanitarian Programme Coordinator

ROLES REPORTING TO THIS JOB

None

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

The post is expected to work closely with the Humanitarian, Economic Justice and Good Governance Teams and receive support from the MEAL, Finance, and Logistics in executing the role.

GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE

Post will be based in Beirut (30%) with extensive travels to field locations North Lebanon, Mount Lebanon and Baalbek to monitor the implementation of projects (70%)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme design and strategy

• Lead on knowledge production around renewables with focus on solar systems including designing and conducting research projects and assessments.
• Leads the fundraising efforts for projects, produce high quality concept notes and proposals, and donors’ reports.
• Lead on the delivery of OiL solar projects
• Ensure that all initiatives, activities, and programmes mainstream gender justice and protection.
• Support the Humanitarian Programme Coordinator and WASH Advisor in expansion and scaling-up of Oxfam’s Water Governance and Climate Resilience Programmes.
• Support the development/reviewing of policies and strategies for the country programme in light of solarizing water supply systems.
• Advise on renewable sources of energy and practical applications in the OiL programming
• Advise on emerging technology and practical applications in the OiL programming

Technical advice and support

• Support the design of solar projects for water pump stations, wastewater treatment units and institutes (PHCs, SDC and others) that are appropriate to the context, in consultation with the relevant authorities.
• Develop and manage feasibility studies, assessments and conceptual design of solar PV and hybrid systems.
• Carry out detailed electrical and structural design of solar PV systems and hybrid systems including all hydraulic, electric, and photovoltaic components.
• Support the development of Terms of References for consultancies and contracting services related to solar pumping including designs, electrical drawings, technical specifications, scope of works, bills of quantities, cost estimations, design calculations etc.
• Review the design of solar water pumping systems submitted by consultants/contractors in terms of accuracy, suitability to overall design requirements, including identifying improvements in the designs, and propose practical solutions.
• Review and approve, in coordination with the WASH Advisor and the consultants Oxfam works with, material submittals, drawings, BoQs, method statements and other materials received from the contractors
• Undertake coordinating, testing, commissioning, training, and handover of solar pumping systems to the users.
• Provide technical support and capacity building to the Bekaa Water Establishment around solar initiatives for 2 days per week (or as requested). The Specialist will sit at the BWE offices for 2 days per week.
• Provide any additional technical support as required.

Coordination and Localisation

• Ensure a constant and constructive relationship with municipalities in the areas of intervention, as well as other relevant stakeholders, such as the Water Establishments.
• Coordinate capacity strengthening activities (trainings, seminars etc.) for identified stakeholders (e.g. Water Establishments, local partners) to ensure operations are supported and maintained.

Implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Assurance

• Ensure smooth delivery and adherence with the designs, international quality standards, health and safety standards and other Oxfam or donors’ requirements.
• In collaboration with the MEAL team, implement monitoring and evaluation activities, and the preparation of associated reports.
• Conduct site supervision, technical reviews and provide technical guidance during site inspections, providing advice on suitable alterations, guiding contractors on all related issues, and ensuring that they meet the high standards expected by Oxfam.

Reporting and Documentation

• Lead in preparing narrative progress reports for Oxfam and/or donors in collaboration with partners, project staff, technical advisors, Grants and Compliance Manager and support teams. Ensure narrative reporting meets Oxfam’s and donor’s requirements.
• Report regularly on the implementation, constantly reviewing/updating the workplan against targets and keeping the programme manager updated on progress, challenges estimated works completion dates.
• Ensure complete documentation of all relevant project activities such as meeting notes, inspections, progress check lists, delivery documents, design calculations, drawings, certificates of completion, hand over documents etc.
• Collate information on achievements, challenges and lessons learned in implementing programmes with a focus on solar energy.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Most importantly, every individual in Oxfam needs to be able to:

• Live our values of INCLUSION, ACCOUNTABILITY, EMPOWERMENT, COURAGE, SOLIDARITY and EQUALITY (read more about these here)
• Ensure you commit to our ORGANIZATIONAL ATTRIBUTES (including adhering to the Code of Conduct):

1. Be committed to our feminist principles, and to applying them in your day-to-day behaviour and your work. Be ready to keep learning, with accountability to those who experience oppression as a result of their identities, such as their gender, race/ethnicity, disability, class, or LGBTQIA identity."

2. Be committed to undertaking Oxfam’s safeguarding training and adhering to relevant policies, to ensure all people who come into Oxfam are as safe as possible.

ESSENTIAL

• Self-Awareness
• Systems Thinking
• Relationship building
• Influencing
• Enabling

In addition:

Technical skills

• University degree in Solar/Water/Environmental/Electrical engineering or related discipline
• Professional training in solar photovoltaic technology
• Training on solar water pumping
• Certified Solar Energy Engineer is an asset.

Experience

• A minimum of 3 years experience in solar power/ water engineering or a related field.
• Experience with conceptual and practical detailed design, installation, commissioning and testing of PV systems.
• Experience of working with consultants, contractors and local authorities.
• Proven ability to work independently as required.

Knowledge

• Excellent understanding and knowledge of WaSH in general, and renewable energy (solar) in particular
• Proficiency in using MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Power Point, etc.) is required
• Knowledge of other engineering design software such as PVSyst, Auto CAD or equivalent CAD software, Homer Pro, ETAP
• Good written and spoken English and Arabic.

Desirable skills

• Experience of working in humanitarian/development programmes.
• Good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain technical information in plain language

SAFER RECRUITMENT: Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.