Entrepreneurship in the territories: is it the right time?
Based in Phnom Penh
(Upon Funding Confirmation)
Geres, a French-based international NGO, has been active in Cambodia for the past 30 years. Geres’ main focus areas are climate change mitigation and adaptation, the reduction of energy poverty, and the improvement of livelihoods. Geres’ activities include for instance conducting energy efficiency programs, providing decentralized energy services for local economic development, supporting and developing renewable energies, and promoting energy management. These activities are always implemented in partnership with local stakeholders and communities based on collaborative experience sharing.
In the context of climate change, significant pressure on Cambodia’s natural resources, as well as persistent and emerging challenges in the Cambodian garment industry, Geres participated in two projects named SWITCH-Garment, funded by the European Union, and VETHIC, funded by AFD, focusing on the promotion of sustainable energy practices in the garment sector in Cambodia. These two projects, under Geres “Garment Programme” were successfully implemented and Geres is anticipating a second phase of its Programme, pending fundings confirmation.
The overall objective of Geres Garment Programme is to decrease environmental impacts while increasing competitiveness in the Cambodian garment industry through higher implementation of sustainable energy practices (such as energy-efficient technologies, integration of renewable energy, switching to sustainable fuel sources or agro-residues, and good operations management).
This includes, but not only:
- Raising awareness and demand for appropriate technologies and advisory services for sustainable energy solutions and practices.
- Supporting capacity development among factories and dedicated training facilities regarding possible options and solutions.
- Linking with suppliers and service providers.
- Facilitating pilot implementation, monitoring, and disseminating improvements.
- Rallying international brands sourcing garments from Cambodia to take coordinated action towards sustainable energy practices among garment supply chains, for instance the increased use of traceable wood or agro-residues.
- Improving environmental performance, economic performance, working conditions, risk prevention, health, and reducing vulnerability in textile factories.
Upon funding confirmation, the Energy Efficiency Engineer will ensure the technical coordination and quality of field project activities. S/he is expected to provide strong technical guidance on those activities in the field of energy efficiency solutions and practices related to electrical/thermal processes and utilities in garment manufacturing factories. S/he will also contribute to overseeing the overall project implementation by Geres consultants and consortium partners under the supervision of the Garment Programme Manager.
1. Main activities
1. Technical ResponsibilitiesFocus: Electrical/Thermal Processes and Utilities
· Lead Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Identify and implement energy efficiency measures within factories, integrating them with broader energy management and safety goals.
· Support Factory Energy Efficiency: Guide factory staff in adopting cost-effective energy measures and optimized technologies to enhance working conditions, including heat stress mitigation and ventilation.
· Monitor and Assess Performance: Oversee the implementation and monitoring of energy efficiency and safety actions, analyzing data to document effective solutions.
· Conduct Assessments: Perform comprehensive energy and safety assessments with the support of other experts, benchmarking against international standards for continuous improvement.
· Develop and Share Resources: support the creation and dissemination of technical materials on energy practices (and sometimes workplace safety), and participate in knowledge-sharing events.
· Support Pilot Projects: Assist in implementing energy-efficient and safety improvements in pilot factories, coordinating monitoring efforts to ensure accuracy.
· Facilitate Demonstration Efforts: Organize and lead demonstration visits to showcase the benefits of energy efficiency and safe working environments.
· Engage Factory Personnel: Lead initiatives to engage employees and managers in improving environmental, health, and safety standards, linking these to broader performance goals.
2. Contributions to Project Coordination:
· Coordinate Technical Activities: Manage the implementation of technical activities focused on energy efficiency and safer working environments, collaborating with internal teams, external contributors, consultants, and partners.
· Support Effective Project Management: Assist in planning, executing, and monitoring project activities to ensure timely delivery of outputs. Make necessary adjustments based on lessons learned from assessments.
· Support implementation of External Contracts: support execution of contracts with external experts, ensuring high-quality outcomes aligned with project objectives, especially in workplace safety and energy efficiency.
· Integrate Project Outcomes: Facilitate the incorporation of project achievements and lessons learned into other Geres initiatives and partner activities, particularly in areas related to safer working environments.
· Organize Trainings and Workshops: Plan and deliver training sessions, meetings, and workshops that support project goals, with a strong focus on enhancing energy management and wto a lesser extend of workplace safety practices.
3. Contribution to the development of Geres activities in his/her field of intervention
· Provide Technical Expertise: Offer insights for the design and development of new projects and activities that integrate energy efficiency.
· Represent the Project: When required, represent the project in discussions with implementation partners and donors, advocating for its objectives in improving energy efficiency and promoting safer working conditions.
Conditions
Throughout the implementation of the project, the project team will be based in Geres’ office in Phnom Penh, carry out regular field work in different garment factories in the country as well as with project partners in PPSEZ and other locations. The project team will closely collaborate with Geres’ local HR and Finance manager and officer as well as the local logistics officer assisting the project team in day-to-day activities.
