Deadline for Applications

February 18, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

B

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA6

Target Start Date

2026-04-01

Terms of Reference

The progress towards the objective of ensuring that Syrian Refugee population in camps has sufficient access to energy has been exemplary in UNHCR Jordan and can be said to have been met in 2021; targeting SDG 7.1 - Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
Throughout 2023, all the Syrian Refugee population in camps are enjoying access to clean energy.
Therefore, the percentage of households with access to renewable energy is at 100%. However, this access is not at 24hours bases but rather fluctuating between 12-15 hours per day. The average percentage gap in this access currently stands at about 44%, therefore highlighting the significant need that still exists in the regard. UNHCR and its partners are stepping up efforts to boost this access and reduce the gap by implementing both short-, medium- and long-term measures. To reduce the electrical and fire risks for refugees and staff, in 2021 UNHCR completed the construction of an earthing network for the whole camp in Za’atari to replace unsafe cabling; the installation of circuit breakers for every shelter to prevent fire and electrical accidents, and the replacement of all the distribution boards of the main transformers with fully automated ones to reduce the maintenance cost and increase the safety of the electrical network components.
A set of improvements to the entire solar network was finalized in 2022. These improvements include installation of Energy Submetering systems, the conduct of a Due Diligence Action, system decentralization through the Installation of Transformers at market locations, installation of Fuses and spares, energy loggers, Tools, and PPEs. In 2023 the South Amman Energy Wheeling agreement with the Government of Jordan, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources was signed which led to drastic reduction of the energy bills. Other projects currently in the pipeline include the Equitable Electricity for Refugees Pilot Project using smart energy dispensers at Household level. Such pilot projects and agreements are considered an action translation of the UNHCR Jordan strategy and a concrete step towards reaching sustainable and effective long-term solutions in the energy sector in the camp. The smart energy dispensers pilot commenced in Q4 2025, with plans to be completed in 2026. The project will provide 6500 Households with dispensers, covering almost six districts out of twelve in the camp. These districts were selected based on a comprehensive assessment that considered consumption levels, availability of services, needs of refugees, and network capacity.
UNHCR and partners has equally continued to hire refugees who had been trained in the past, as electrical engineers. Within the mix of all the initiatives is strong coordination and collaboration at both country, field, regional and HQ levels including interagency cooperation.
Although that the current percentage of households using alternative and/or renewable energy (e.g., solar, biogas, ethanol, environmentally friendly briquet, wind) is at 100%, which indicates that all population now has access to renewable energy; it is important to note that UNHCR Jordan continued to pay huge amount in energy bills in the first three quarters of 2023.
Despite the trend of refugees returning to Syria due to recent political changes, challenges in the energy sector persist. These issues need to be addressed through further interventions to ensure a stable and sustainable provision of services.
In the context of Government of Jordan GoJ Electricity reform, system subsidy regime, wheeling, decentralization, and commercialization; thermal insulation of shelters, energy dispensing aligned with electric companies and national grid systems are some of the integration measures the organization is currently working/looking at in 2026 ambitions directions.
UNHCR ensures consistent and continuous Energy provision in the camp through direct implementation modality by rewarding operation & maintenance contracts to multiple private sector service providers for the different parts of the electricity network (the camp solar plant, the Medium Voltage network & Low Voltage network)Standard Job Description

Energy Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Access to clean, affordable and reliable energy services is integral part of the humanitarian response and an essential factor in creating sustainable economic development. Sustainable energy services are essential for basic human protection and aim to enable refugees, IDPs, host communities and other persons of concern to meet their energy needs in a safe, sustainable and affordable way, recognizing the critical importance of access to sustainable energy to ensure basic needs, improve human protection and well-being, and foster communities' inclusiveness.

Energy services provide cooking, lighting, heating and clean water, and underpin all but the most rudimentary income-earning activities. Energy poverty leads to insecurity, increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), reduced development opportunities, health problems and environmental degradation.

In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), access to clean energy could vastly improve the health and well-being of millions of persons. The incumbent will provide technical support on sustainable energy in the operation.
The Energy Associate will work very closely with the technical sectors, Programme and Protection colleagues. The incumbent will typically report to the Energy Officer or the Programme Officer in the Operation
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Contribute to the implementation of the sustainable energy programme.
- Contribute to the assessment and identification of cost effective and appropriate sources of alternative energy for cooking, lighting and electricity in collaboration with all actors, including private sector, development agencies and governmental institutions.
- Contribute to the design of specific projects and pilot energy for cooking, lighting and powering, including renewable energy, with a view towards enhancing self-reliance, education and protection.
- Work in multi-sectoral team and contribute to the linkage of Energy with Environment, Protection, Shelter and Settlement, Public Health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
- Contribute to the monitoring and coordination of all sustainable energy activities.
- Contribute to the identification, establishment and linkage with relevant organizations to ensure access to sustainable energy for both refugees and the surrounding areas
- Work in multi-functional team approach and work in close collaboration with programme and other technical experts, to ensure energy based interventions are approached from a cross-sectoral perspective.
- Assist the Operation to ensure that minimum best practices are met to assure health and safety standards across all sustainable energy and energy efficient technologies.
- Contribute to the documentation of the project development including monitoring, testing, trouble shooting, lessons learned and solutions applied to assure institutional knowledge development.
- Contribute to the development of effective communication channels between all key stakeholders and promote the sharing of information on energy related activities.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Electricity
Environment
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Minimum 6 years of previous relevant job experience in sustainable energy sector. Experience working with government authorities, development partners, civil society and/or public/private sector.
Desirable
Knowledge and understanding of policies and regulations on energy. Knowledge of renewable energy, including financial, regulatory and/or policy frameworks, renewable energy financial management (including community involvement and capacity issues), renewable energy business development (including business planning, entrepreneurship development). Experience of cost recovery systems, metering, energy audits and comparative analyses of fuel and energy systems
Functional Skills
SP-Natural Resources Management
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

SP-Natural Resources Management

Education

Certifications

Electricity - Other, Environment - Other

Work Experience

Other information

Candidates might undergo written testThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No