Technical Officer - Renewable Energy

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND (CDTF)

 (A joint Government of Kenya and European UNION Programme)

Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF) is a joint initiative of the Government of Kenya and the European Union established in 1996. CDTF is implementing a five year Programme, the Community Development Programme Phase Four (CDP 4) with two components, the Community Environment Facility Phase Two (CEF II) funded by both the European Union (EU) and the Government of the Royal Kingdom of Denmark, and the Community-Based Development Initiatives (CDI) funded by the EU.  The main objective of CDTF is to contribute to poverty alleviation efforts in Kenya by offering support in form of grants to community-based projects, which address basic social, economic and sound environmental management priorities.

Job vacancies have arisen in the CDI and CEF II components that require to be filled on contract basis by highly qualified and experienced Kenyan nationals. The contract duration will be up to 30^th June 2014 with a possibility of an extension to 30^th September 2015 subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds for the extended period. The position is:

Accountable

Reporting to the Programme Manager, Community Environment Facility II (CEF II),

Duty Station

Nairobi

Overall responsibility:

To screen, monitor and communicate good practices in the area of renewable energy including promoting appropriate energy saving technologies that contribute to sustainable utilization of natural resources and support community initiatives that will enhance adaptation to climate change and poverty reduction. Additionally, the Technical Officer - Renewable Energy will offer technical support and advise to grantees implementation renewable energy programs and oversee implementation of the same.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

1. Promote, create awareness and sensitize communities and other stakeholders on renewable energy technologies as a means of alleviating poverty and supporting local management of natural resources.
2. Assist beneficiaries to mainstream renewable energy development issues in community development projects and employ appropriate methodologies and approaches to ensure that renewable energy technologies are adopted.
3. Support the development and implementation of an appropriate and effective environmental management project monitoring and evaluation system in collaboration with the CEF technical team.
4. Provide technical assistance and guidance to community projects during implementation process including design and installation of different forms of renewable energy, promotion of new, innovative and cost-effective technologies and building grantees’ capacity to implement renewable energy programs.
5. Provide technical support and legislative advise to all renewable energy projects under CEF II including linking communities with the private sector, relevant regulatory government agencies, research and institutions of higher learning.
6. Support the drafting of Terms of Reference (ToRs), recruitment and supervision of external consultants offering services to projects/Programme.

Qualification

Minimum Postgraduate degree

Field of Specialization

Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, Climate Change, Renewable Energy or any other relevant areas from a recognized university. 

Skills and experience

• Minimum of 5 years relevant practical experience working with projects addressing renewable energy technologies.
• Good track record in design, adoption and implementation of appropriate renewable energy technologies to support community projects involving donor agencies. Candidates who have managed more than one type of renewable technology and or forms of renewable energy will have an added advantage.
• Knowledge of the current best practice in supporting renewable energy projects and their role in enhancing green growth.
• Knowledge of Kenya’s energy policy environment in general and policies governing the renewable energy sub-sector in particular.
• Knowledge of the Project Cycle Management (PCM) and practical experience in designing and institutionalizing participatory monitoring and evaluation systems for projects/programmes. 
• Practical experience that includes capacity building of local beneficiaries in the area of renewable energy and aspects of climate change.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations.
• Ability to work independently both in the office and field, meet strict deadlines and being proactive.
• Excellent communication, computer skills and presentation skills in both English and Kiswahili languages.
• Clean driving licence.

 General Information

• The contract duration will be up to 30^th June 2014 with a possibility of an extension to 30^th September 2015 subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds for the extended period.
• Hands on experience in climate change and renewable energy issues must be demonstrated.
• A good track record in managing community projects involving donor agencies will be an added advantage.
• Travel to community based projects throughout Kenya. 

If you feel you are the right candidate CDTF is looking for, apply by filling the Job Application Personal History Form available from this Website (download form) quoting job title in subject line, and send together with your CV to email address: vacancies@cdtfkenya.org. Hard copy applications will NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 29^th March 2013 at 5.00pm.  Only short listed candidates will be contacted for interview. Applicants, who will not have received a response by 31^st May 2013, should consider themselves not successful.