Alternative Fuel/Energy Diversification Specialist

Overview

Lead alternative energy initiatives to support sustainable land management.

You have:

• Advanced degree (Master) in climate change, energy, forestry, environmental sciences, rangeland, or economics.
• At least eight (8) years of relevant work experience in alternative fuel/energy diversification for advanced degree holders.
• At least ten (10) years of relevant work experience in alternative fuel/energy diversification for university degree holders.
• Experience working with international organizations, including INGOs, bilateral or multilateral agencies, and UN agencies is desirable.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and local languages (Pashto and/or Dari).
• National of Afghanistan.

Organizational Setting

FAO Afghanistan is investing, across all 34 provinces, in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In 2022-2023, FAO will, under the life-saving assistance Outcome (1) of the UN Transitional Engagement Framework (TEF), focus on the following four priority actions: (i) Safeguarding Wheat Seed Security, (ii) Enhancing Local Production of Nutritious Food, (iii) Livestock Protection and Dairy Sector Support, and (iv) Restoring Irrigation Structures to Boost Cash Incomes. Additionally, FAO will contribute towards resilience building activities under Outcome 2 of the TEF.

Project Background:

The Community-based Sustainable Land Forest Management in Afghanistan project is the six-year intervention of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) funded through the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This project aims to improve the sustainability of agriculture, forest, and land-use management through rehabilitating degraded forests and rangelands, enhancing and maintaining the livelihoods of Afghan rural communities in Bamiyan, Badghis, Ghazni, Kunar, and Paktia provinces in Afghanistan by employing the community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) approach. The project has four major components: (i) capacity-building at the national, sub-national, and district levels for sustainable land and forest management; (ii) biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration in forest landscapes; (iii) community-based rangeland management; and (iv) knowledge management, monitoring, and evaluation.

The Alternative Fuel/Energy Diversification Specialist will be responsible for identification, design and coordination and promotion of alternative energy sources including biogas, biomass and efficient cooking and heating, by providing in-depth country knowledge in his/her field, as well as service in the field. He/she will provide technical inputs for the project under Outcome 2.1 – biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration in forest landscapes – and Outcome 3.1 – community-based rangeland management.

The Alternative Fuel/Energy Diversification Specialist will work with appointed specialists and support the project task team in devising strategies and plans for the implementation of the alternative fuel and energy sources outcome of this project. The required technical documents will be formulated based on consultation with project proponents and stakeholders in Afghanistan, virtual communication with international experts and the FAO Country Office in Afghanistan, as well as literature reviews and analyses as needed.

Reporting Lines

The Alternative Fuel/Energy Diversification Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Afghanistan, and under the direct supervision of the National Project Manager/National Professional Officer.

Technical Focus

Support the work of the GCP/AFG/084/GFF funded "Community-Based Sustainable Land and Forest Management in Afghanistan" project. The post is located in Kabul province. The project activities are implemented successfully, timely, and effectively and conform to the project's objectives. The position holder will ensure strong coordination, partnership and follow up with stakeholders as well as the beneficiaries.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Work with the National Forest/Biodiversity/Perennial Crop Specialist and Alternative Livelihoods Expert to undertake community livelihood surveys identify livelihood options to meet community needs and to reduce pressure on forest/ rangeland resources in Bamyan, Badghis, Ghazni, Kunar and Paktya provinces; • Identification, design, coordination and promotion of alternative energy sources including biogas, biomass and efficient cooking and heating thermal devices, by providing in-depth country knowledge; • Work with the National Forest/Biodiversity/Perennial Crop Specialist and Alternative Livelihoods Expert to promote the use of alternative energy sources; • Formulate required technical documents based on consultation with project proponents and stakeholders; • Develop manuals and usage guidelines of the thermal devices.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master) or University degree (Bachelor) in climate change, energy, forestry, environmental sciences, rangeland, or economics; • For advance degree at least eight (8) years of relevant work experience in alternative fuel/energy diversification. Experience working with different stakeholders in developing countries; • For university degree at least ten (10) years of relevant work experience in alternative fuel/energy diversification. Experience working with different stakeholders in developing countries; • Having experience working with international organizations, including INGOs, bilateral or multilateral agencies, and UN agencies is desirable; • Working knowledge (level C) of English and local languages (Pashto and/or Dari); • National of Afghanistan.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to effectively coordinate an extensive, multi-stakeholder project with results-based management; • Good written communication skills, including in emergency settings; • Demonstrated initiative and ability to deliver results within deadlines; • Experience organizing stakeholder meetings or workshops at national and provincial level; • Ability to establish and maintain good working relations with other staff/colleagues from different cultural backgrounds as well as with line departments, counterparts, and other stakeholders at the province level; • Proficient in Microsoft Office package.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

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Potential interview questions

Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org