Job Vacancy at German Development Coperation (GIZ) – Junior Advisor, Clean Cooking

1.  Background

The Energizing Development Programme Liberia (EnDev Liberia) is an energy access programme with the objective of increasing access to affordable modern energy services in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. It is a global initiative in 26 countries that GIZ is implementing on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Donor countries are Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. EnDev has been active in Liberia since 2012; in 2014, the project activities were expanded to the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone and Guinea. EnDev cooperates with government institutions, national and local non-governmental organization, donors and the private sector.

In Sierra Leone, the programme consists of two components a) access to electricity through Pico PV, solar home systems and mini-grids and b) access to modern cooking systems through energy-efficient cookstoves, sustainable biomass production to avoid deforestation including efficient charcoal production and promotion of LPG. The present position will support all activities of component b.

2. Tasks and Duties:

The junior advisor will advise the project director and other team members to manage and further develop the cooking energy component.
The position supports, advice, and partially manages; in particular:

• Strategic and organizational work including preparation, organization, and follow-up of meetings

• the collaboration with partners (Ministries, private sector, Civil Society); sensitization of institutions to the cooking energy nexus

• the junior advisor will advise on monitoring protocols and interpretation of activities and results

• engaging stove and charcoal and cooking fuel producers including the creation of stove and charcoal producer associations

• the setting up of a stove and charcoal producers fund scheme including the elaboration of rules and procedures for the fund

• the preparation design and implementation of field studies, questionnaires, and surveys

• the implementation of awareness rising campaign in communities, media and at public institutions

• organize trainings for stove and charcoal producers

• organize and support the testing of stoves and equipment (pressure cookers) including follow-up on Endev support to the start – up of the stove laboratory

• the strengthening of the role of women and gender equality in partner organizations, in the stove value chain and as consumers and opinion leaders in communities

• initiate specific trainings for women in this sector

• community mobilization and sensitization in particular in the Western Peninsula as a follow-up of working group activities

• other activities, which may be initiated to implement the Cleaner Cooking Energy Compact including integration of initiatives and innovations into communities

• Follow-up on activities to introduce improved charcoal making techniques

• The financial and administrative management of the cooking component including:

• Budget allocation and output monitoring

• financial planning and finance monitoring,

• creating, sending, and following up on invoices,

• collecting and reviewing data for reports

• preparation of contracts and financing agreements,

• preparation of service requests and follow-up

• risk management.

3. Qualifications:

1. Required:

Education: Diploma in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration

Work Experience: Minimum 2 years finance and/or management assistance; experience in international organizations is mandatory. Additionally, experience with the improved cooking sector, charcoal production, deforestation issues, mobilization of communities. Some knowledge of GIZ procedures and insight into EnDev’s operation would be preferable.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Honesty and strong commitment.

• Experiences with different cooking energies and cooking systems, charcoal and stove producers, stove sellers

• Experiences with working in rural communities and community mobilization

• Accuracy in record checking.

• Ability to work as part of the team.

• IT skills including MS Office & Accounting applications

• Working knowledge of office equipment

• Time management skills and the ability to prioritize work

• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task

Language Skills:  Good communication in English and any other local languages both written and oral

2. Preferred:

Skills and Competencies:

• Experiences with working with and mobilization of women

• High communications skills with the ability to talk to both government officials as well as to common citizens.

• High environmental sensitivity

Suitable applicants are kindly asked to submit their complete application (cover sheet, cover letter, curriculum vitae, and references) as hardcopy to GIZ GmbH, Human Resources Department, 32d Wilkinson Road, Freetown not later than the 24.09.2021 at 5.00 pm.

Hardcopy applications have to be submitted in a sealed and labelled envelope.

Softcopy applications can be sent to [email protected].