1. Background

The Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) is a not-for-profit regional organization founded by governmental representatives from ten Arab countries in 2008 and headquartered in Cairo. RCREEE’s mission is to initiate regional policy dialogues and promote strategies and partnerships favorable to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RE&EE) investments in the member states of the Arab region.

Today, RCREEE has sixteen Arab countries among its member states. RCREEE strives to serve the needs of all Arab States through multiple projects implemented in close cooperation with different regional and international organizations. RCREEE’s funding is made possible by grant agreements with “Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit” (GIZ), and the government of Egypt as well as through member states contributions and fee-for-service contracts.For information on RCREEE and its activities, please visit http://www.rcreee.org

RCREEE is seeking RE and EE professionals to join its technical team. The positions (one RE and one EE professionals) will support its projects and activities relating to the promotion of RE and EE solutions with high local added value and employment opportunities in sustainable energy projects, particularly decentralized RE applications and EE applications in the industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors.

Technically-equipped and business-focused, the candidate will evaluate the regulatory, market and investment climate to identify commercially viable investment opportunities in Egypt in specific and the Arab region in general.

2. Objectives, tasks and responsibilities

The job’s objective is to provide technical support to the Project Team on different projects:

A. Support to RE-ACTIVATE project

RCREEE had recently signed a new grant agreement with GIZ’s project «Employment promotion through renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Middle East and North Africa Region (RE-ACTIVATE)». The main tasks and responsibilities of the RE and EE Research Analysts include:

• Analysis and follow up of the institutional, regulatory, economic and technological processes and changes at the national and international level for RE and EE, especially the ones with an impact on employment promotion and strengthening of local value chains.
• Follow-up of projects and activities under development or planned within the framework of the German Cooperation in Egypt in the sectors covered by the project.
• Technical support for the preparation and implementation of activities of the Egyptian component of the project, as well as communication and coordination with the partners and other relevant stakeholders (governmental institutions, donors, private sector representatives, scientific community, etc…)
• Identification of new market opportunities and analysis of necessary conditions in this regard (economy, technology, market), research and development of pilot projects and partnerships between Egyptian and international stakeholders in the RE and EE domain at the national and local level.
• Contribution to the inception and implementation of cooperation activities and service delivery within the framework of the project, such as studies, conferences, training workshops, advisory services etc…
• Writing presentation notes, press briefs, analysis and articles concerning the different areas of work.
• Systematic and close cooperation and coordination with all other projects and partners of the GIZ in the country and in the region.

B. General support to RCREEE projects teams

• Support the planning and implementation of RCREEE projects within budget, schedule and quality expectations while meeting stakeholders’ needs and strategic objectives in accordance with the annual work plan.
• Assist in preparing project reports by compiling required technical data and information from internal sources and external partners.
• Assist in formatting and proof-reading reports, working documents and other project publications.
• Assist in updating the database of projects and ensuring dissemination of project outputs and other related information
• Prepare logistics for workshops and seminars in collaboration with the Administration team.
• Assist in preparing the minutes and proceedings of meetings and workshops
• Contribute to the projects’ proposal writing processes by assembling the projects’ required technical information.
• Participate in meeting with external stakeholders.
• Participate in the tender evaluation process for technical consultants and experts.
• Perform all other duties as requested by the supervisors.

C. Research and analytical work

• Contribute to RCREEE analysis in the areas of RE and EE.
• Help producing comprehensive analysis of current conditions and future trends for RE and EE deployment in the region. In particular, the Junior analyst helps developing and conducting analysis to evaluate:
   
  • regulatory and market framework conditions for investments in RE and EE technologies in countries of the region.  
  • technological alternatives and infrastructural requirements for the transition to increased shares of RE and EE.
  • RE and EE potentials and priorities regarding technologies, applicable scales, and relevant economic sectors.
  • planning designs by using relevant methods, models and multi-criteria scenarios.
  • tracking systemic or structural changes in the regional energy sectors in order to design medium to long-term RE and EE strategies, and to mobilize national and regional investments.
  • RE and EE integration implications on national energy and economic systems, such as externalities, cause and effect, etc.
  • financial mechanisms and required infrastructure for large, medium, and small scale RE systems.
  • institutional public administration processes affecting RE and EE planning and deployment.
  • role of RE and EE in overall energy and environmental policies.
  • monitoring RE and EE plans, measures and programs as well as their impacts.
     
• Help identifying areas for possible intervention at the regional level in order to maximize the effects of promoting RE and EE.
• Produce specific technical, policy and economic briefs on RE and EE.
• Develop clearly written analytical interpretations.

C. Data gathering, verification and benchmarking

• Help identifying data and information sources.
• Collect & verify necessary data through review of existing primary & secondary resources, interviews and questionnaires by using the existing RCREEE professional network.
• Resolve discrepancies between conflicting data sources.
• Support benchmarking countries’ performance in order to provide additional stimulus to promote RE and EE.

• Support the provision and communication of the data assessment results and projections to internal and external stakeholders.
• Help maintaining and updating the organization’s information system portal, including back end administration, data entry, and data verification.

D. Technical support activities

• Publish and present research, project and studies’ results at conferences, and symposia, and review meetings in Arabic, English or French.
• Participate in technical and scientific meetings or conferences and represent RCREEE.
• Support the implementation of capacity building and training activities.
• Help in other relevant technical tasks as required by the technical team.

3. Skills Required:

Technical:

• Advanced university degree (5 years minimum) in any relevant field for the project (technical sciences, economy or political sciences)
• Three years professional experience in the public or private sector, or international organization.
• Global vision and deep knowledge on RE and/or EE (especially regarding solar and wind technologies and/or energy efficiency and energy management)
• Additional knowledge in terms of economic and employment promotion, regional and/or rural development, professional capacity building, industrial and/or technological cooperation would be a plus.
• Strong understanding of various business models and financing schemes for decentralized applications.
• Knowledge of the political and economic context of Egypt, with strong professional network.

Personal:

• Ability to combine technical and economics knowledge with excellent work habits, communication skills, and quantitative modeling.
• Expected to work under minimal supervision to research, analyze and communicate economic, business, policy, market, and/or regulatory issues affecting the deployment of RE/EE technologies in the Arab countries
• Expected to write clear, comprehensive and detailed studies, reports and presentations of a publishable quality for internal and external stakeholders
• Must have excellent team/customer service skills in an international context with various partners.
• Well organized, responsible and reliable in work and relationships with colleagues and partners.
• Ability to handle emergency situations in a calm and directed fashion, and lead teams in such situations as needed.
• Must possess exceptional problem solving, critical thinking and analytical skills to troubleshoot and resolve project issues and challenges.
• Strong attention to detail and deadline orientated.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Must be accustomed to working on various issues simultaneously and ensuring the integrity of each project.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Arabic and English. Knowledge of French is a plus.

4.  General Terms and Conditions

• The RE and EE Research Analysts are required to work from RCREEE’s Cairo office on a full-time basis
• These positions are project-based employment, national appointment for Egyptians
• Tenure of Appointment;
  • ​The initial appointment will be for 12 months including a 6 month probation period.
  • Contract extension will be subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
• Age Requirement
  • Preferably between the age of 25 and 35.
• Gender Mainstreaming
  • RCREEE is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply please send CV and a cover letter highlighting relevant work experience to:  hr@rcreee.org at the latest by November 30, 2015. Please indicate in Message Subject: RE/EE Research Analyst. Emails without a subject line will be automatically discarded.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.