Energy Program Officer – NL or UK

Mercy Corps

Location: The Hague, NL, or London, or Edinburgh, UK

Position Status: Full-time, 12 months fixed term with possible extension beyond contingent on funding

Salary: London: circa 35K, Edinburgh: circa 30K, NL: circa 38K – depending on experience

**Candidates must have the right to work in the UK or EU at the time of appointment. Please note that applications should include CV and a Cover Letter to be considered before May 25th. **

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organisation powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In conflict, in disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps has merged with Energy 4 Impact to increase access to climate-smart, sustainable energy, improving the lives of millions of people around the world.

Mercy Corps’ approach to energy access is rooted in innovative, market-based energy programming that both reduces emissions and supports resilient livelihoods. We apply our expertise in harnessing the power of market systems and good governance to test solutions in multiple contexts. We have the ability to scale models that enable communities to access the technology, information, financial tools, and the social support they need to adapt, and ultimately transform their access to reliable, clean, affordable energy.

We are looking for someone with the creativity and drive to further our commitment to improving demand for and access to clean, reliable, affordable, and quality energy products and services; support communities to ensure that access to energy is available across diverse user groups; work in partnerships with the private sector, research institutions, funders, corporations, and governments, to reach scale; leverage a range of financing options to encourage private sector investment, whilst focusing on mechanisms that remove the high upfront costs of products for consumers.

The Role

The Environment Team is a critical technical team within Mercy Corps’ Technical Support Unit (TSU). The TSU is responsible for leading and supporting assessments, program design and field studies; providing technical support to programs; helping the global agency set technical strategies; building strategic partnerships, and representation and coordination with other development, government and private sector actors. Supporting agency priorities, the Environment Team is particularly focused on technical support in the areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, including disaster risk reduction, natural resource management and environmental conservation, and access to energy.

The Energy Program Officer will support program assessment and design and gather lessons learnt from implementation to advance Mercy Corps’ agency-wide commitment to new frontiers to low carbon development and energy access.

The Energy Program Officer will support the agency’s effort to integrate energy access considerations within our multisectorial programming, support countries of implementation to strategize low carbon development efforts – also contributing to the agency’s efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, and provide support with the implementation of ongoing programs liaising between HQ and countries of implementation. The Energy Program Officer will also support the implementation of the Energy Access workplan, which includes: the design of new initiatives and programs, the development of competitive proposals for submission to donors, writing periodic impact briefs, liaising with program partners, and the streamlining of available resources.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Resource management: Review and expand on guiding internal and external resources around energy access, including communication and advocacy materials; monitor key internal and external trends in field programming and sector to inform TSU’s work

Strategic thinking: contribute to innovative thinking around emerging aspects and models areas of energy access, including blended finance for humanitarian energy access, and low carbon development initiatives to boost communities’ resilience to climate, market and conflict-related shocks

Liaise with countries of implementation and HQ: Ensuring quality and prompt support to the countries of implementation, subject to compliance with Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures

Communities of Practice: Support internal and external peer-to-peer learning through Mercy Corps online platforms by working with different country teams to develop and post content, lead webinars, and share lessons in creative ways on energy access

Proposal Writing: Support country teams with country-level program assessment, design and quality implementation around energy access, both for stand-alone and integrated programs

Liaise with partners and stakeholders: representing Mercy Corps’ Energy Access with peer INGOs, UN Agencies, and energy companies.

Supervisory Responsibility None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Director, Energy Access

Works Directly With: Regional Advisor, Energy – Africa, E4I teams, Programs, Environment Team, Country Teams, Technical Support Unit, Private Sector Partners

Knowledge and Experience

● Energy, Environment, and/or Climate-related academic and/or private sector background

● Previous analytic and project management experience desirable

● Previous experience in drafting strategies and policies, their promotion and follow-up is desirable

● Previous experience in successfully delivering presentations and briefings

● Proven ability to communicate effectively with colleagues from various backgrounds and cultures

● Proficiency with MS Office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

● Excellent spoken and written English, knowledge of French is desirable

● Knowledge of clean energy technologies and financial model

● Experience working in Mercy Corps’ countries of implementation is desirable

Success Factors

● Excellent organisational and time management skills.

● Creative, independent thinker who is solution-driven.

● Work as part of a team and individually.

● Analytic, with a strong eye for detail.

● Fast-learner, can work quickly, accurately and to deadlines.

● Able to build and maintain effective internal and external relationships.

● Strong team worker and communicator, can work with a range of people.

● Able to cope with changing priorities, often at short notice, and work well under pressure.

● Proactive, positive and solutions-based attitude.

● High levels of motivation, professionalism and resilience.

● An exposure to and interest in international development issues is important, along with an empathy for Mercy Corps’ mission.

The position could be based in one of these Mercy Corps offices: Edinburgh (United Kingdom), London (United Kingdom), The Hague (The Netherlands). There is a preference for Netherlands location. The position may involve occasional national and international travel, in compliance with national Covid-19 regulations.

MCE team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a short-term assignment or trip to country offices. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all Mercy Corps locations.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

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Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

How to apply

Join the team, learn more and apply here: https://jobs.jobvite.com/mercycorps/job/oQMHjfwm


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