Global Energy Adviser, Solarisation - Central & West Africa (CWA)

Global Energy Adviser, Solarisation - Central & West Africa (CWA) NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council Dakar National Senior level Speaks English, French Application deadline: December 31, 2026 (9 months) Apply Summary by Impactpool NRC is seeking a Global Energy Advisor – Solarisation to lead renewable energy transitions in Central & West Africa. The role involves providing technical expertise in solar systems, supporting country offices in project management, and ensuring compliance with NRC policies. The ideal candidate will have a strong engineering background, experience in renewable energy solutions, and fluency in French and English. This position requires collaboration with various teams and a commitment to driving solar initiatives across the region. Candidate Requirements: Advanced university degree in engineering or relevant fields Minimum six years of experience in renewable energy transitions Experience in design and implementation of solar power solutions Knowledge of renewable energy regulatory frameworks Fluency in French and English Ability to work in complex and volatile contexts What we are looking for: NRC is on the lookout for a Global Energy Advisor – Solarisation to lead renewable energy transitions across the Central & West Africa (CWA) region. We’re seeking an engineering professional with hands-on experience in solar systems and a proven track record of driving renewable energy solutions. Whether you come from the private sector (EPCs or energy providers) or from UN, humanitarian, or development agencies, you’ll bring the expertise to transform solar ambitions into operational reality. In this role, you’ll be the go-to technical partner for Supply Chain Teams across our Country Offices - providing electrical engineering know-how, guiding solar power rollouts, and supporting projects from concept to completion. While your primary focus will be on the CWA region, you’ll also be part of a dynamic global team - collaborating, sharing responsibility, and adapting flexibly as priorities evolve. The ideal candidate will be fluent in both French and English, and eligible for work and travel visa approval across all CWA countries. Please note that this is a resident contract. What you will do: Some of your generic responsibilities include: Remote or in person support to NRC country offices to transition from reliance on diesel generators to renewable energy. Responsible for the portfolio of solarisation projects in the Central West African Region (and any others assigned), supporting country office colleagues to manage and advance those projects in accordance with global standards. Provide expert advice as the technical authority for solar energy projects. Ensure compliance and adherence to NRC policies, guidance, and procedures linked to solarisation. Build strong relationships with support teams within the designated portfolio, acting as a trusted advisor to stakeholders and influencing people priorities, policies, and initiatives. Contribute and feed into the development of the solar handbook and associated tools, and exploring new approaches, with a focus on innovation and piloting. Ensure that best practices are identified, documented, and disseminated both within the region and beyond. Provide capacity development for the care and management of solar equipment across Country Offices in the region. Support the Reducing Environmental Footprint team in driving the solarisation initiative at the Country Office level. Some of your specific responsibilities include: Identify NRC locations with potential to transition from diesel generators to solar energy in coordination with country teams. Conduct or advise on assessments of energy needs and renewable energy opportunities for NRC sites. Support country office teams to fulfil the requirements to access the NRC Capital Fund to finance the procurement of solar power systems. Provide technical input to procurement processes including drafting specifications, supplier criteria and evaluation of supplier bids. Supervise the implementation of solar power systems at NRC sites either in person or remotely guiding the local team. Train staff on the care and management of their solar power system and write standard operating procedures for their use. Regularly monitor the performance of existing solar power systems and provide troubleshooting support as needed. Maintain project pipeline information in global overview documents and communicate regular updates of progress, achievements and challenges. Facilitate and promote the sharing of best practices and positive behaviours identified in successful country operations with country operations that need support to increase capacity and inspire. Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position. What you will bring: Advanced university degree in engineering, electrical engineering, or relevant fields. A minimum of six years relevant professional experience working directly on operationalising renewable energy transitions in a private sector EPC or energy provider, or UN/humanitarian/development agency or equivalent. Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of electrical energy solutions, especially solar power solutions. Experience in planning, design, budgeting and management of electrical energy systems and energy standards and audits. Have a good understanding of testing equipment and the process of test, inspection, verification and commissioning. Extensive knowledge of renewable energy regulatory frameworks and humanitarian procurement processes. Experience working in complex and volatile contexts including emergency settings. Experience in data collection, analysis and report writing. Familiarity with renewable energy business development is an asset. Ability to meet reporting deadlines and communicate project progression. Fluency in French and English both written and verbal i