TECHNICAL ASSISTANT TO PROJECT MANAGER / COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE CAMBODIA (M/F)

Would you like to work on projects that make sense and have a real impact?

Do you want to work towards a fair and sustainable energy transition? Then join us!

Set up in 1976, Geres is a French based international development NGO which works to improve the living conditions of the poorest and tackle climate change and its impacts. As a grassroots actor, Geres considers the energy transition as a major lever in all its actions. In order to drive societal change, Geres promotes the development and dissemination of innovative and local solutions, supports climate-energy policies and actions and encourages everyone to commit to Climate Solidarity by taking action and supporting vulnerable populations.

With 30 years of experience in Southeast Asia, Geres has introduced accessible and transferable energy solutions tailored to local needs, with a strong focus on wood and biomass energy. These efforts aim to enhance the resilience and livelihoods of rural communities, empower local stakeholders, and promote sustainable resource management. Currently active in Cambodia and Myanmar, Geres seeks to expand its activities in these two countries and initiate operations in other parts of the region.

In Cambodia, Geres has been implementing several initiatives, including promoting energy efficiency in the garment sector and advancing sustainable biomass sourcing for industrial use, particularly focusing on wood energy. These interventions are guided by principles of social justice and women’s empowerment, ensuring inclusivity and equity. Geres strives to make its efforts complementary to those of local civil society organizations (CSOs), such as the Cambodia Women for Peace and development (CWPD) and Live and Learn Cambodia (LLC), with whom we collaborate closely.

Since 2018, Geres' garment program has supported over 65 factories. Its technical interventions align with the priorities of key institutions in the sector, such as TAFTAC (Textile, Apparel, Footwear & Travel Goods Association of Cambodia) and CGTI (Cambodia Garment Training Institute). To encourage the adoption of sustainable energy practices, Geres showcases replicable examples within the industry, while collecting, analyzing, and sharing lessons learned with stakeholders both in Cambodia and internationally.

Starting in 2025, Geres renewed its partnership with national academic institutions and ministries involved in energy policy and management. This collaboration focus on capacity building and skill development to strengthen local expertise and ensure the sustainability of energy solutions.

Geres is currently in a transition phase in Cambodia, implementing 2 projects: one related to capacity building on energy matters in the textile industry funded by Lichtenstein Development Agency (LED); and another one on cooling solutions for buildings based on its set of good practices developed in Mongolia and Tajikistan, and funded by Climate Works Foundation. A series of funding opportunities are also in the pipeline or identified for which steering/support will be needed.

CapCEE - Capacity for Cambodia Energy Efficiency (CapCEE)

Cambodia has experienced a significant increase in energy consumption, leading to obvious environmental impacts. Key national regulation, the National Energy Efficiency Policy (NEEP) aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030. However, there is a lack of local expertise to implement these policies effectively. CapCEE contributes to address this gap by training local energy managers and auditors through the Certified Energy Manager and Auditor Training (CEMAT) program at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC). The project's objective is to improve Cambodia's energy efficiency capacity by equipping institutions (ITC) with the skills and infrastructure necessary to train qualified energy managers and auditors. In turn, this work will provide qualitative training on energy efficiency to the private sector and provincial departments of government agencies and put ITC in a position to sustainably strengthen both public and private sectors.

In the past, Geres has already collaborated with ITC to promote energy-efficient wood stoves and created the Biomass Energy Laboratory, which was then handed over to ITC to ensure long-term sustainability. The ITC continues to play a crucial role in the development and implementation of training programs, such as the CEMAT training launched in 2023. Together, Geres and ITC are working to strengthen energy efficiency capacities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aligning their efforts with Cambodia's national energy policies and contributing to the country's sustainable development goals.

CHILL: Cooling Homes - Innovative & Low-impact Living

In Cambodia's hot climate, climate change and poorly planned urban growth have increased residents' exposure to extreme temperatures, particularly in energy-inefficient housing. Over-reliance on air conditioning as the primary cooling solution significantly increases energy consumption, straining household budget for electricity and contributing to increased greenhouse gas emissions.

The project aims to improve the living conditions and climate resilience of urban populations in Phnom Penh by implementing cost-effective energy improvements, solutions and practices for cooling. This pilot project will directly impact 100 households, 15 SMEs, 2 microfinance institutions, and 50 government actors and generate data, evidence and good practices for further intervention. The project will also directly reach 15,000 individuals through behavior change campaigns.

CHILL is funded by Climate Works Foundation and implemented by a consortium of 3 partners, Geres, LLC and ITC over a period of 24 months.

Live & Learn Cambodia (LLC) recently co-developed training modules and materials with Geres to raise awareness of climate issues and heat stress management. They have successfully conducted behavior change campaigns involving more than 6,000 people, focusing on developing interpersonal skills and supporting sustainable practices. LLC is responsible for contributing technical expertise, engaging the community, and providing local knowledge. LLC will also participate in monitoring field activities and collecting data to evaluate results at the community level.

The Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) is the leader of the passive cooling Community of Practice in Cambodia. They will be responsible for providing technical expertise, research support, and academic collaboration. ITC will also engage policymakers and stakeholders at the national and local levels to advocate for policy frameworks that support energy-efficient housing.

The project will directly support Cambodia's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of a 29.7% reduction in electricity use for buildings by 2030 and the implementation of the National Energy Efficiency Policy (NEEP).

Mission

In cooperation with the Asia Regional Director, the Country Representative will be in charge of declining and unfolding Geres regional strategy at national level with the programme team. She/he will represent Geres in the country, lead fundraising efforts and oversee all projects/programmes in cooperation with managers and Finance and Admin department. She/he will primarily guide and support country office teams in achieving optimal office and project management. She/he will ensure compliance, quality of implementation, monitoring and reporting are performed properly.

In Cambodia, she/he will specifically support and coach the Programme Manager and other senior project staff as they are deployed, in overseeing Project Cycle Management and ensuring the quality & impact of the portfolio of projects.

She/He will work in close coordination with Financial Controller and key subject matters experts based in HQ.

She/he will liaise with donors, partners, the NGO and IO networks and coordinate Geres communication and advocacy towards national and local authorities.

activities

As Technical Assistant for CHILL and CapCEE

1/ Oversee Project Cycle Management

1. Lead and support project staff & partners in planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring activities
2. Support the monitoring and evaluation process, in particular by developing methodologies M&E tools to
3. measure the results and impacts of the projects
4. Smoothly tackle implementation constraints and put in place the necessary corrective measures in
5. consultation with stakeholders (including authorities, partners, and beneficiaries) and Geres management
6. Supervise and ensure compliance in the use of external service providers, internal support missions and other
7. suppliers
8. Ensure quality and timely preparation of internal and external reports
9. Ensure and maintain a knowledge management system, incl. archival and sharing
10. Ensure ownership and capacity building of the team across the entire project cycle management

2/Manage project partnerships

1. Monitor, assess and facilitate the work with the implementing partners. Understand their mandate and
2. agendas, nurture their involvement in the project
3. Ensure commitments of Geres towards its partners are dully filled and reciprocally, that project partners
4. abide by their respective commitments towards Geres
5. Prevent and, if need be, solve issues and disputes with partners

3/Supervise administrative, logistical, and financial management of the project

1. Develop and/or guarantee a framework of operations and responsibilities between the stakeholders in
2. accordance with the rules of the financial partners
3. Supervise the planning and delivery of financial expenditures and accounting flows in collaboration with the
4. Administrative and Finance Officer
5. Communicate to teams and ensure compliance with logistical, administrative, and financial procedures

As Country Representative

1/Lead and facilitate development of country strategy in coherence with Geres Regional Strategy

1. Analyse the country context, strengths/weaknesses/challenges/opportunities
2. Develop networks and identify strategic partnerships with donors, international NGOs, national CSOs, national and local authorities, private sector.
3. Implement the country strategy; evaluate and update if deemed necessary
4. Be active part to the regional strategy development

2/Fundraising & project/programme portfolio development in coherence with the country strategy

1. Perform prospective work and develop field understanding of the country, also beyond current zones/topics of interventions
2. Prospectively identify funding opportunities
3. Identify partnership opportunities in order to prepare swiftly concepts and consortium ahead of calls for proposals
4. Organise the development of funding proposals (narrative and budget) in country, following the existing procedure in close collaboration with the Regional Director and HQ

3/Overseeing the portfolio of projects

1. Coordinate the implementation of all projects/consultancies with managers/experts and teams assigned to action
2. Follow-up on indicators, activities/impact related objectives and deliverables. If needed, ensure challenges are identified and corrective measures taken

4/Representation of Geres amongst key stakeholders in-country and with the support of the Regional Director

1. Ensure proactive and regular communication with institutional partners and development stakeholders
2. Manage the external communication of Geres in- country, with the support of Comms officer and HQ Comms Department
3. Relay key relevant information to Regional Director and HQ
4. Integrate and maintain relation with relevant networks in-country (NGOs, Groupe Initiative, Energy related platforms and networks)

5/Supervision of human resources, administration & finance

1. Ensure the good management of the office related to Human Resources, logistics, administration, and finance/accounting. Make sure that the national legislation is duly respected.
2. Organise and regularly check the quality/consistency of the budget planning, disbursement plans, financial and accounting reporting.
3. Ensure that all practices and processes are in line with the rules and procedures developed by the Finance and Admin Department of Geres.
4. In line with Geres HR policy and for national colleagues, supervise the elaboration of the Country-level HR policy, submit it to Regional Direction/HR at HQ for validation

6/Management and animation of the team

1. Ensure hierarchical management of the Cambodia team (recruitment, on/off boarding, training, appraisal, workload, work planning and prioritisation of tasks)
2. Develop skills and competencies, support and include members of the Cambodia team
3. Maintain a team atmosphere and ensure information flows amongst the members of the team
4. Ensure the well-being and proper work conditions for the team

7/Management of partnerships

1. Monitor, assess, and facilitate project partnerships, including prospective and/or strategic partnerships.
2. Facilitate the identification and formalisation of partnerships at country level

8/Management of in-country Security

1. Continuously assess and analyse context, key actors, and incidents
2. Follow-up on these contextual analyses and liaise with Regional Director
3. Keep up to date the required security documents/processes, ensure proper diffusion to members of the team after Regional Director/HQ Security focal point validation
4. Ensure security and internal rules are respected in-country and by everyone
5. Manage incidents (in line with the Executive Director for critical incidents), relay key relevant information to Regional Director and HQ
6. Integrate relevant national security networks

APPLICATION

REQUIRED PROFILE

Education and experience

1. A relevant Master’s Degree in energy efficiency, or equivalent required
2. 2 years experience in project management (required)
3. Experience in the field of sustainable development and/or energy transition (appreciated)
4. Confirmed experience of representation towards local authorities, donors, national or international partners strongly (appreciated)

Skills

Required skills:

1. Commitment, dynamism, and strong enthusiasm for international development work
2. management skills including strengthening colleagues and ability to delegate
3. Proficiency in Project Cycle Management (including logical framework Development, theory of change, M&E systems)
4. Demonstrated understanding of the energy-climate nexus in developing countries
5. Comfortable with high-level governmental/institutional and private sector relationships
6. Excellent writing and reporting skills
7. Capacity to adapt and adjust
8. Capacity to convince, negotiation skills
9. Sense of diplomacy
10. Comfortable with public speaking
11. Team player with capacity to work in a multicultural environment
12. Fluency in English both written and spoken required
13. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite

Appreciated skills:

1. Conversant with energy, climate change and building energy efficiency themes
2. Capacity to build a strategic vision
3. Capacity to identify and formulate project proposals
4. Intermediate knowledge of French
5. Rigor, autonomy, flexibility, and attention to detail, including in meeting deadlines
6. Working knowledge of gender principles and main applied tools in the development sector

Skills that would be an asset:

1. Previous experience in South-East Asia is an asset
2. Knowledge of training process and capacity building
3. Previous experience as a Country Representative is an asset

CONDITIONS

1. Type of contract : Volontariat de solidarité internationale ((international solidarity volunteer)
2. Full time
3. Leave: minimum of two days per month and public holidays in the country of assignment
4. Duration : 12 months contract (extendable up to 18 months)
5. Starting date: as soon as possible
6. Position based in Phnom Penh, with occasional travels to project locations
7. Monthly allowance paid in France: €850/month
8. Monthly living allowance paid locally: approximately €590/month
9. Coverage of one round trip between home and mission location per mission
10. Coverage of any visa fees
11. Contribution to the costs of preparation for departure from La Guilde (Paris) and the briefing at Geres headquarters before departure on assignment
12. Possible contribution to the cost of the return support session (Paris) and the debriefing at Geres headquarters at the end of the assignment
13. Health coverage paid for in full by Geres and La Guilde: CFE (social security), supplementary health insurance, and repatriation assistance for the volunteer and, where applicable, their dependents

to apply for this position

To apply, please fill in the form online via the following link http://job.geres.eu/?action=ref&id=187 and attach your résumé (no more than 3 pages) and cover letter.

Selected applicants will be called for an interview. Geres reserves the right to go ahead with recruitment without waiting for this date.