Facility Demand Lead, Africa Clean Energy (Kenya, Somalia, Ghana) at Coffey

Driving DFID’s ACE TAF activities in (Kenya)

1-year contract in the first instance, rolling extension

Nairobi, Kenya-based, reporting to the Deputy Team Leader

Immediate start

The Programme

The Africa Clean Energy (ACE) Technical Advisory Facility (TAF) programme will catalyse a market-based approach for private sector delivery of Renewable Energy electrification technologies, with a specific focus on high quality stand-alone solar systems (including SHS’s and a range of productive use products and services). This will lead to improved access to modern energy services for people and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with an emphasis on poor people and marginalised groups.

The ACE TAF programme focuses exclusively on developing a market for individual solar systems (this includes multiple lighting solar kits). As it currently stands, the programmes scope does not extend to community-wide and larger mini-grids, for which other Department for International Development (DFID) programmes are providing assistance. Further to this, the programme will also exclude single solar light sources, which have less potential than solar home systems to be transformational. Increasing the affordability of solar systems for poorer people is also an important focus of the programme. The programme aims to overcome many of the barriers preventing the development of markets for high quality solar systems, while complementing, not duplicating, DFID’s existing programmes and related initiatives of other donors.

DFID has defined 3 objectives for ACE TAF:

1. Enabling Environment: assisting governments to put in place appropriate policies and regulations, supporting market development and improving quality standards.
2. Knowledge Management: generating and disseminating knowledge and evidence on the success factors for, and benefits of, private sector delivery of off-grid solar energy across Africa, including the application of learning.
3. Coordination: promoting collaboration between ACE Business TAF interventions and other relevant initiatives and encouraging other donors to contribute towards ACE TAF objectives and activities. Managing the overall approach to Monitoring and Evaluation for all components of the ACE TAF programme.

Moreover, the programme has 4 programme outputs:

1. The regulatory and policy environment in target countries is favourable to a market-led approach to off-grid solar energy.
2. Off-grid solar markets are catalysed by targeted market development activities.
3. Lessons on the success factors for – and benefits of – private sector delivery of off-grid solar energy in SSA are disseminated to all relevant stakeholders.
4. The above outputs are coordinated with – and complementary to – the activities of other donors and other ACE TAF components.

The Position

ACE TAF is seeking a Demand Facility Lead to based in Nairobi to support the programme. 

Key requirements

• At least 10 years of professional experience working with governments on policy and regulatory reform on energy and/or economic development programmes.
• Practical experience coordinating across donor, government and other stakeholders in the energy sector. 
• Demonstrated experience designing, delivering and leading on energy strategies for donor-funded projects in African Countries.
• Demonstrated experience of collaboratively working with policy makers to identify pipelines of interventions to catalyse the solar energy markets.
• Knowledge of other donor programmes, with demonstrated experience of fostering coordination and collaboration to avoid donor duplication.
• Practical experience of advising and guiding consultants to ensure effective implementation of programme activities.
• Working knowledge of approaches to economic development and inclusive growth.
• Experience managing staff.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills
• Excellence in networking and advocacy

Nice to have:

• Prior work experience for DFID or other donors, governments or international think tanks.
• Experience working on multi-country programmes, and/or work experience in multiple sub-Saharan African countries.
• Knowledge of M&E systems and how to integrate and capture field based indicators.

Key Responsibilities

• Working with the Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader, designing the operational structure, governance and processes for the TAF DF.
• Lead effective management of the ACE TAF Demand-led Facility (TAF DF) and drive effective and strategic delivery of interventions across all target countries, whilst maintaining oversight of finances.
• Establish and maintain cordial working relationships with key stakeholders including the DfID local office, Ministries of Energy and local off-grid industry associations. Provide overall management of the TAF DF, including managing two regional Facility Co-ordinators with specific country-based objectives.
• Supervise and provide oversight of ACE DF resources, including, Facility Co-ordinators and Short-Term Technical Advisors (STTA), to ensure that their work is carried out to a high professional standard, within budget, in accordance with agreed work plans and schedules, and to the full satisfaction of the client.
• Responsible for day-to-day management of the TAF DF activities in at least three countries (Kenya, Ghana and Somalia) and oversight of the Facility Co-Ordinators who will manage Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania and Rwanda.
• Oversee delivery of activities within the project budget, working closely with the Deputy Team Leader and Project Manager to plan resource requirements and monitor utilisation and availability.
• Undertake quality assurance reviews of both the pipeline and intervention development in each region prior to interventions being submitted for approval.
• Organise and oversee DF Panel meetings to approve/reject suggested projects from DF Co-ordinators.
• Regular communication and liaising with ACE TAF leadership team to provide progress updates and ensuring a close and effective working relationship.
• Ensure responsiveness to internal and external requests that may be relevant to the project.
• Ensure effective, timely and high-quality delivery of interventions and deliverables.
• Develop terms of reference, and task orders for in-country interventions.
• Develop monthly reports on key programme activities, problems and action points.
• Contribute to cross cutting activities including knowledge management; monitoring and evaluation; development of terms of reference; or report writing, supporting the Leadership Team in Nairobi. 
• Ensure to highlight at the first opportunity any issues or risks that may arise.
• Any other duties as may be required.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Your KPI’s will be set on a yearly basis. They are likely to be in the following categories:

• Effectively manage in-country activities and interventions and relationships.
• Meet targets and deadlines of the project workplans in agreement with the ACE TAF management team.
• Timely delivery of project reporting requirements.
• Internal and external client satisfaction.
• Maintaining a progressive engagement with key in-country stakeholders.
• Effectively manage Coordinators and short term technical experts.
• Risk management and knowledge sharing.
• Rigorous financial oversight of the project budget.

Special Requirements

• Work independently and remotely from the in Country project teams.
• Report to the Team Leader based in Nairobi.
• Will be based in the ACE TAF Nairobi office.
• Some out of hours’ work may be required depending on the needs of the programme.
• Travel to the other oversight countries WILL be required.

Willingness to travel to Somalia.

 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.