Email Celine Bachelet from Good Return for more details: celine@goodreturn.org

Note: this is an external volunteer opportunity with Good Return (not with EWB)

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- Sustainable Energy Field Coordinator -

 

Do you have a passion for social justice and the skills and willingness to contribute to the fight against poverty? Then join an innovative microfinance social enterprise and help address energy poverty in Timor-Leste (East Timor) and Indonesia.

 

Good Return (www.goodreturn.org) is currently looking for a volunteer Sustainable Energy Field Coordinator who will work in Timor-Leste and Indonesia with our MFI partners there to create and develop a business network to enable the sale, distribution, promotion and maintenance of Sustainable Energy Technologies such as solar lanterns, solar home systems, biogas and fuel-efficient cook stoves.

 

Position Details

Type: Volunteer

Title: Sustainable Energy Field Coordinator (Timor-Leste and Indonesia)

Reports to: Sustainable Energy Program Manager, Good Return, and the Managing Directors of the two MFIs.

Engagement Period: 1 year assignment with a 3-month trial period. The start date depends upon the candidate’s availability - we expect the position to commence in February or March 2012. An availability to visit Timor-Leste in mid-January for a hand-over procedure would be beneficial.

Location: Two weeks’ initial briefings in our Sydney office would be followed by full-time presence in the field, based at the location of our microfinance partners in Timor-Leste and Indonesia. The position would involve moving back and forth between the two countries, with approximately two months in each location at a time. The role requires extensive travel to rural areas.

Allowance: AUD$40 per day living allowance plus accommodation and work related travel expenses, including comprehensive travel insurance.

 

Duties and responsibilities

The Sustainable Energy Field Coordinator (Timor-Leste and Indonesia) is responsible for coordinating the delivery of the Good Return Sustainable Energy Program in these two countries. The goal of this program is to facilitate access to renewable energy and energy efficient technologies among poor households, in order to support improved living conditions.

This program will require the candidate to work with our microfinance partners to:

• Assess and select appropriate renewable energy technologies based on the needs of microfinance clients.
• Identify and select businesses and entrepreneurs who have the potential to form the foundation of a profitable and sustainable network for the sale, distribution, installation, maintenance and promotion of renewable energy technology.
• Facilitate an agreement between these business for the sale, distribution, installation, maintenance and promotion of renewable energy technology to the MFI’s clients and others in the target areas.
• Develop and deliver training and awareness-raising to these businesses, consumers, MFI staff and targeted communities in order to increase the likelihood that the business network is sustainable and consumers and communities understand the benefits of renewable energy.
• Support the MFIs to develop a microfinance loan product and payment system that enables MFI clients to purchase renewable energy technologies through a loan.
• Assist in building the project management capacity of the MFI team involved in the project.
• Other tasks in support of the broader partnership between Good Return and the MFIs as may be required

 

Selection Criteria

We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications, experience, skills and attributes.

 

Qualifications & Experience

• An undergraduate university degree in either Business, Economics, Environmental Science, Public Affairs, International Studies, Community Development or similar area of study
• Experience working in Sustainability, Social or Economic Development. Experience in renewable energy, community development or microfinance would be advantageous
• Experience working abroad and in the international development sector would be beneficial

 

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent interpersonal communication and negotiation skills
• Oral and written fluency in English
• An ability to communicate in either Indonesian (Bahasa) is highly desirable
• An ability to communicate in Tetum or Portuguese would be beneficial.
• A demonstrated competency in designing and delivering training activities
• Experience in project management
• A demonstrated ability to work with business to align social and economic goals and facilitate business negotiations and agreements
• An understanding of and interest in renewable energy and energy efficient products and how they work
• Excellent interpersonal communication and negotiation skills
• An ability to initiate activities and work independently
• Flexibility and patience
• A personal commitment to our vision - we believe that no one deserves a life of poverty and are committed to doing something about it.

 

How to apply

To apply for this position, please send a copy of your CV and a 1-page maximum cover letter addressing each of the selection criteria and skills requirements to:

Celine Bachelet (SEP Manager) at celine@goodreturn.org

Please use the subject title: “SEFC Timor-Leste & Indonesia”

 

Applications will be reviewed and considered as they are received, and will close on 31^st January 2012.