Senior Technical Advisor at RTI International

Job Summary

The Power Africa Off-Grid Project (PAOP) is a four-year USAID-funded project to promote off-grid electrification in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The project is headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa. PAOP provides technical assistance to key sector stakeholders, including private sector off-grid companies, investors, and government agencies.

The Senior Technical Advisor will work with the Kenya Lead Advisor and other Regional Advisors to provide country wide business-focused technical assistance to off-grid companies and stakeholders. The Senior Technical Advisor will help off-grid companies to develop and implement business models to increase the number of new electrification connections and generation from off-grid energy systems, in particular solar home systems (SHS) and mini-grids (MG).

This posting is offered on a national contract with local benefits This posting is offered on a 1-year full time fixed-term national contract (with possibility of renewal) and is only open to Kenyan nationals or those with the legal right to live and work in Kenya. Local National compensation plans and benefits will apply. 

Responsibilities

• Support SHS and MG companies through targeted technical assistance focused on product and business model development, retail and marketing strategies, and new business-line entry strategies including providing advice in registration, tax exemption path flows and in navigating the regulatory space.
• Provide strategies that support SHS companies to expand beyond current operation areas including development of a scalable agent recruitment, initial sales agent training program, reverse logistics, among others.
• Support SHS and MG companies on partnership development and market expansion by providing market information, identifying potential partners along with meeting the local representatives.
• In collaboration with the Finance Advisors, support SHS and MG companies in fundraising from different sources: equity, debt (corporate & asset finance) and grants. This shall be provided through ongoing support which includes sharing funding opportunities, reviewing proposal applications to investors, banks, donor programs among others.
• Provide support and advice to relevant sector associations: The Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA), the Kenya Renewable Energy Association (KEREA), and other relevant stakeholders on regulatory, and other tax issues and help formulate coherent private-sector positions on these issues.
• Support companies in identifying both debt and results-based financing opportunities and inform their market entry strategies to the underserved counties, including providing the relevant linkages to other USAID programs like feed the future, and Powering Agriculture.
• Contribute to the development of market intelligence reports and other data required under the project.
• Lead & support the preparation and submission of relevant project reports and also respond to demand-driven project requests.
• Other suites as assigned by supervisor.

​​​​​​Minimum Required Education & Experience

• A degree in an area related to the scope of work (international development, engineering, economics, energy finance, or other relevant fields).
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience (with Bachelor’s degree) OR six (6) years’ experience (with Master’s degree) in rural electrification or working & supporting off-grid companies.
• Strong understanding of the off-grid energy dynamics and experience in providing business and technical support to off-grid companies to scale up their operations is preferred.
• Experience analyzing and structuring financial transactions, ideally for off-grid companies, working with commercial investment banks, private equity and/or financial or legal services companies or firms in energy or finance sector.
• Experience working and providing support and advice to relevant sector associations and stakeholders.
• Ability to listen and communicate well both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Working-level fluency in English.
• Computer literacy with the ability to produce reports.
• Culturally sensitive and respectful.
• Ability to travel as and when required.
• Demonstrates commitment to RTI’s mission, vision and values.
• Previous experience in an NGO will be advantageous.
• Experience within a donor funded organisation e.g., USAID will be advantageous.

Applications with no CV / Resume attachment will not be considered.