Job Opening at SNV Netherlands Development

Driven by the imperative to provide equal opportunities across the entire Kenyan territory as key to achieving Kenya’s Vision 2030, and the national target of achieving universal access to electricity by 2020, the Government of Kenya (GoK) seeks to close the access gap by providing electricity services to remote, low density, and traditionally underserved areas of the country. GoK intends to use US$150 million of financing from the World Bank to deliver an Off-Grid Solar Access Project for Underserved Counties Project (KOSAP). The proposed KOSAP promotes these objectives by supporting the use of solar technology to drive electrification of households, enterprises, community facilities, and water pumps.

SNV will be tendering for this World Bank funded Programme in Kenya with a strong consortium on component 2: “Standalone Solar Systems and Clean Cooking Solutions for Households” (US$48 mln), which is anticipated to start in January 2018. This component is split up in a Debt Facility (US$30 mln) and a Results Based Financing (RBF) Facility for standalone solar systems (US$12 mln) and clean cooking solutions (US$5 mln) for households. To manage both the RBF and Debt Facilities, SNV seeks to contract an Off-grid Energy Team Leader/Fund Manager.

Overview of the Position

You will design and deliver sound management of the RBF and Debt Facility. You will develop RBF and Debt Facility implementation manuals that will cover the procedures and main criteria for competitive selection. In the roll-out phase, you will prepare for its launch and initiate RBF award windows. Finally, you will perform day-to-day management of the RBF and Debt Facility operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as the Team Leader for the overall Facility
• Leads the design and implementation of the Fund;
• Leads, manages and oversees all technical and managerial aspects related to Finance, Grants Management, and other financing instruments; Provides high quality leadership, strategic and managerial oversight, due diligence and administration of the Fund financing instruments;
• Design and Implements effective management oversight methods and techniques to monitor progress on sub-grant implementation;
• Ensures timely financial reporting and provides supervisory oversight of the budget to ensure timely spending;
• Conducts annual performance appraisals and ongoing supervision grants and financing mechanisms.

The Facilities Manager will be responsible for the successful operationalization, launch, and administration of the RBF and Debt Facility. This will include the activities listed below:

• Preparation of RBF and Debt Facility implementation manuals;
• Coordination of RBF Facility roll-out;
• Ongoing RBF and Debt Facility operations management;

• University degree in engineering, economics, finance, international development or equivalent;
• A relevant post-graduate qualification in an energy related field will be favoured.

Professional Experience

• A minimum of 10 years or more in managing large donor-funded programs (preferably WB)
• Demonstrated experience in managing funds, preferably in promotion of off-grid renewable energy;
• Experience in, and understanding of, the off-grid solar market in Sub Saharan Africa, ideally including pay-as-you-go solar;
• Experience in, and understanding of, the clean cookstove market in Sub Saharan Africa;
• Experience in, and understanding of, the Kenyan market (experience in the Underserved Counties is desirable though not essential);
• A track record of structuring and managing RBF facilities aimed at market stimulation, ideally facilities funded by multilateral development banks and/or development finance institutions and/or bi-lateral development assistance agencies;
• A track record of providing debt financing to rural/off-grid home appliance distribution businesses and/or consumer finance businesses (including, for instance, MFIs);
• Demonstrated understanding of success factors of for-profit businesses;
• Experience managing reporting relationships with government stakeholders and large development finance organizations is highly desirable;
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with GoK, The World Bank, private sector (RBF and debt applicants/investees) and other stakeholders;
• Results orientated and committed to accountability;
• Excellent communication (written and oral), reporting and presentation skills; and
• Fluent in English.