SME Advisor at Energy 4 Impact

SME Advisor Job Responsibilities

• Working with humanitarian organisations and the private sector to develop a pipeline of projects that could sustainably address current energy needs in humanitarian settings.
• Working with project developers to refine the technical and financial scope of their proposals.
• Leading the design of funding mechanisms for energy projects in humanitarian settings based on consultations between potential donors and project developers.
• Managing the design of the fund structure, institutional arrangements, evaluation criteria, project specifications etc.
• Conducting feasibility into businesses model and technical solutions that can address current energy challenges in camp settings including non-wood based fuel and infrastructure management contracts.
• Conducting consultations with stakeholders to design the required support mechanisms and contracts.
• Developing procurement processes and contracts that could be used for tendering energy services.
• Coordinating the review and evaluation of project proposals and preparing the necessary documentation for disbursement of small grant awards.
• Monitoring and evaluation of grants that have been awarded to project developers for low carbon energy projects and market development activities.
• Provision of technical assistance during the implementation of the projects.
• Supporting the design and implementation of market based interventions under the programme including proposed activities and partners for implementation.
• Inputting into project documents, work plans and budgets.
• Supporting the design of tools for use by humanitarian actors to improve energy data management and camp level planning of energy interventions.
• Inputting into programme reports to communicate activities with partners and donors and toolkit disseminating findings from the programme.
• Managing relationships and communication between MEI and the private sector to ensure their effective involvement and input throughout the programme.
• Supporting monitoring and evaluation activities across the programme to ensure data and evidence on programme interventions are accurately captured.
• Support in other programme management and operational activities as required. Requirements

Experience Required For The SME Advisor Job

• 5+ years’ experience in energy project development, operations, or financing; or experience in early-stage entrepreneurship
• 5+ years’ experience in management or strategic consulting or financial advisory;
• Experience working in the energy sector in East Africa with a strong focus on private sector engagement and development;
• Understanding of energy technologies for cooking and lighting and power generation applications;
• Experience in project management, management of small scale grants and monitoring and evaluation of projects;
• Experience working with rural and off-grid business models and technologies, and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by businesses operating in Africa;
• Experience in procurement and contracting for energy projects and services is a plus.

Attributes

• Good team building and motivational skills with an ability to work with a diverse mix of professionals and deliver;
• Very strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to interact with a range of stakeholders at the private sector, NGOs and community level;
• Ability to see the big picture and connect the dots;
• A can-do and collaborative mindset – comfortable with the ambiguities and demands of a rapidly evolving and entrepreneurial environment with a team from diverse backgrounds;
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to put frameworks and structures in place for effective implementation and monitoring of projects;
• Passionate about working in the impact space.