The Energy Project Manager will provide leadership, management, coordination, and direction for the Energy Access for Refugees and Host Communities project in Gambella. This role will oversee the project’s operations, ensuring the successful implementation of planned activities, resource management, financial oversight, stakeholder relations, and reporting. The Energy Project Manager will work closely with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the project’s objectives align with the overarching goals of environmental conservation, livelihood improvement, and sustainable energy access for vulnerable communities, particularly focusing on stove and briquette production.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Management:

• Oversee and guide all aspects of the Energy Access project, ensuring that activities related to the establishment of cooperatives, stove production, briquette production, and distribution are on track.

• Support the selection, formation, and legalisation of cooperatives (stove production and briquette production), in collaboration with stakeholders like the Cooperative Promotion Bureau, government bodies, and UNHCR.

• Facilitate monthly team review meetings and quarterly steering committee meetings, ensuring collaboration among ZOA team members, government agencies, and other key stakeholders.

• Regularly review project performance against targets and milestones, taking corrective actions when necessary to stay on track and ensure quality standards are met.

• Ensure adherence to ZOA's financial procedures and oversee the procurement of tools, equipment, and materials for stove and briquette production.

• Provide detailed and timely progress reports to ZOA senior management, donors, and stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E):

• Work closely with the Programme Quality and MEAL teams to integrate M&E into all project activities, ensuring that key performance indicators are tracked effectively.

• Collect good practices, lessons learned, and case studies to enhance the visibility of the project, share insights, and inform future energy access projects.

• Support baseline, mid-term, and end-line surveys to track project impact, particularly on stove and briquette usage and the cooperatives’ financial sustainability.

Capacity Building and Technical Support:

• Provide training and coaching on business management skills, cooperative governance, technical skills related to stove and briquette production, and customer relations.

• Ensure that the production of stoves and briquettes meets the defined quality standards, coaching cooperatives on maintaining production rates and environmental standards.

• Work with regional Water & Energy Bureau and other technical partners to provide ongoing coaching for stove and briquette production processes, equipment usage, and quality control.

Partnership and Stakeholder Management:

• Engage with key partners such as UNHCR, Refugee and Returnee Services (RRS), local government authorities, and other NGOs to ensure successful delivery of project outputs.

• Ensure that key stakeholders, including government bodies, local communities, and partners, are consistently informed about the project’s progress and issues that need addressing.

• Develop strategies to engage local stakeholders and government agencies, ensuring the project’s long-term sustainability and integration with local policies on clean cooking solutions.

Team Management:

• Provide leadership to a diverse team, ensuring the staff is motivated, aligned with project goals, and has the necessary skills and knowledge to meet their objectives.

• Offer guidance to direct reports, helping them to develop professionally and ensuring they understand and implement ZOA’s principles and values.

• Together with Logistic team recruit and manage consultants for specific technical expertise (e.g., briquette machine suppliers) and ensure their work aligns with project goals.

• Develop and implement a staff training plan, tailored to enhance the knowledge and skills necessary for managing cooperatives, clean cooking solutions, and business development.

Community Engagement and Awareness:

• Oversee activities to increase the understanding and adoption of clean cooking solutions and ensure effective community outreach and participation.

• Ensure that cooperatives are supported in showcasing and selling their products at public markets to expand their reach and increase revenue.

• Assist in addressing community concerns about new cooking solutions, ensuring that the refugee and host communities are adequately supported in their transition to using fuel-efficient stoves and briquettes.

Job Requirements

Educational Background:

• A Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Economics, Sustainable Energy, Refugee Rights, or a relevant field.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of practical experience in managing energy-related projects, preferably with experience in implementing clean cooking solutions, sustainable energy systems, or similar livelihoods-focused interventions in refugee or host community settings.

• Strong understanding of cooperative management, business development, and the energy sector.

• Proven experience in financial management, budgeting, and expenditure monitoring for large-scale projects.

• Familiarity with MEAL tools, especially for tracking the impact of livelihood and energy access programs.

Special Requirements:

• Commitment: A deep understanding and commitment to ZOA’s mission and values.

• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional communication, leadership, and team-building skills necessary to support and motivate staff and partners.

• Creativity and Innovation: Ability to think creatively and adapt strategies to meet project needs, while encouraging innovation within the team.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Experience in working with local organizations and actors, particularly in refugee or displacement contexts.

• Management Skills: Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, coordinate resources efficiently, and ensure project coherence.

• Proficiency: Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English. Strong analytical and report-writing skills are essential.

How to Apply

ZOA operates with an equal opportunities policy and is committed to diversity in the workplace. Qualified women and men, people of all nationalities, and cultural backgrounds, and candidates with disabilities are welcome to apply.

 If you are interested in this position, please apply directly via THIS LINK

CV’s of no more than 3 pages in length are appreciated.

Please provide at least 3 references related to your previous employment listed in the application. References of previous positions held should not be older than five years.

Only selected candidates will be contacted and invited to participate in the process of recruitment. It is our aim to inform all other candidates of their status in the recruitment process within 4 weeks after the vacancy has closed. An assessment may be part of the recruitment procedure. Documents that do not match the profile above will not be considered. Internal candidates will have priority, in case of similar results.

Please note that, as part of its recruitment process, ZOA carries out background and reference checks for all candidates. As ZOA participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a written questionnaire: the “Statement of Conduct”, which will be sent to past employers regarding Misconduct (such as sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment). 

"Women are highly encouraged to apply for the position"

Also we reserve the right to stop accepting applications before the end date if we find a suitable candidate.