Global Energy Advisor – Solarisation

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people each year. The organization is committed to upholding human rights and delivering high-quality aid, focusing on the needs of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC fosters a culture of empowerment, encouraging employees to share ideas and take responsibility in their roles, while also promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across its operations.

Job Overview:
The Global Energy Advisor – Solarisation will play a pivotal role in leading renewable energy transitions specifically in the Central & West Africa (CWA) region. This position requires an engineering professional with substantial hands-on experience in solar systems and a proven track record in implementing renewable energy solutions. The advisor will serve as the primary technical partner for Supply Chain Teams across various Country Offices, providing essential electrical engineering expertise, guiding solar power rollouts, and supporting projects from their inception to completion. The role emphasizes collaboration within a dynamic global team, adapting to evolving priorities while focusing on the CWA region. The ideal candidate will be fluent in both French and English and must be eligible for work and travel visa approval across all CWA countries. This is a resident contract, indicating that the successful candidate will be based in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Global Energy Advisor include providing remote or in-person support to NRC country offices to facilitate the transition from diesel generators to renewable energy sources. The advisor will manage a portfolio of solarisation projects within the CWA region, ensuring that these projects align with global standards. Responsibilities also include offering expert advice as the technical authority for solar energy projects, ensuring compliance with NRC policies, and building strong relationships with support teams. The advisor will contribute to the development of a solar handbook and associated tools, focusing on innovation and piloting new approaches. Specific tasks include identifying NRC locations suitable for solar energy transition, conducting assessments of energy needs, supporting country teams in accessing funding for solar systems, providing technical input for procurement processes, supervising the implementation of solar power systems, training staff on system management, monitoring existing systems, and facilitating the sharing of best practices across country operations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in engineering, electrical engineering, or a relevant field. A minimum of six years of relevant professional experience is required, specifically in operationalizing renewable energy transitions within the private sector (EPCs or energy providers) or within UN/humanitarian/development agencies. Documented results related to the responsibilities of the position are essential. Candidates should demonstrate experience in designing and implementing electrical energy solutions, particularly solar power systems, and have a solid understanding of energy standards and audits. Familiarity with renewable energy regulatory frameworks and humanitarian procurement processes is also necessary, along with experience in complex and volatile contexts, including emergency settings. Strong skills in data collection, analysis, and report writing are required, and familiarity with renewable energy business development is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the technical aspects of solar energy systems and their implementation in various contexts.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of six years of relevant professional experience directly related to renewable energy transitions. This experience should ideally include work in the private sector, such as with EPCs or energy providers, or within UN, humanitarian, or development agencies. The candidate must have a proven track record of operationalizing renewable energy solutions and managing projects effectively in challenging environments.

Languages:
Fluency in both French and English, both written and verbal, is essential for this position. Knowledge of other local languages spoken in West Africa is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with local teams and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is the CWA Regional Office in Senegal or any other country offices within the CWA region. The role may also be hosted in listed Employer of Records (EoR) or regional and/or country offices where NRC has a presence. The candidate must have the right to live and work in the chosen country. This is a fixed-term contract ending on December 31, 2026, with travel requirements of up to 60%. The position is classified as a Grade 9 Resident contract. NRC is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization encourages innovative thinking and provides opportunities for employees to take initiative and contribute to the mission.