Senior Mini-Grid Manager at Virunga Power

About the Role

The role of the Senior Mini-Grid Manager is to lead the company in its remote electrical grid operation and maintenance across sub-Saharan Africa. Immediate activities will be focused in North-western Zambia, working on an operational 33kV mini-grid connected to a 700kW hydro power plant, with 700 connections. Subsequent activities will focus on mini-grid implementation, operation, and maintenance across sub-Saharan Africa.

The successful candidate must be driven by the potential for creating large-scale positive impact by electrifying rural areas in a sustainable and equitable way. He or she will require solid technical knowledge, close attention to detail, and keen interest in ensuring compliance with international, national, and internal policies, as well as effective project management in implementing their work.

Duties will include leading and managing the overall implementation, operation, and maintenance of mini-grid projects, managing internal resources as needed, hiring and supervising employees and contractors. By nature of being employed by a start-up company, the Mini-Grid Operation and Maintenance Manager will be expected to contribute to the development of the company’s internal mini-grid capabilities, policies, and systems, as well as support the general business needs of the company, as may be required from time to time.

The Senior Mini-Grid Manager will be expected to travel to project sites in rural areas within East Africa and greater sub-Saharan Africa, likely for extended periods of time. He or she will work closely with and report to the executive management team in Nairobi, specifically to the Senior Vice President, Projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Senior Mini-Grid Manager’s primary role will be to oversee the development and effective implementation of Virunga Power’s mini-grids across sub-Saharan Africa. He or she will work closely with the management team, as well as the relevant development, engineering, and financing team members, and external partners such as financing parties, contractors and consultants, and project partners. In addition, he or she will have the following as duties and responsibilities:

• Lead the refurbishment and expansion of an existing small hydro mini-grid, including:
• Assess and procure required software and hardware upgrades;
• Development of operation and maintenance plans;
• Manage local mini-grid operations team.
• During the project development phase, contribute to the evaluation of newly identified potential projects and develop mini-grid strategy. This will include identification of preliminary risks, coordination of applications for relevant permits, participation in community discussions, and Virunga Power-related community negotiations;
• During the construction phase, supervise and manage implementation of the mini-grid, including the consultants and contractors involved in all aspects of the project construction to ensure compliance with best practices and all relevant standards;
• During the operations phase, ensure compliance with previously developed operation and maintenance plans, compliance with relevant standards, and operation in cost-efficient manner. On-going development and implementation of Health and Safety Standards will also be of the utmost importance;
• During the operations phase, work with partners to ensure effective energy retailing and customer service, as well as tracking of commercial performance (e.g., monthly performance KPIs, management accounts, budget, etc.);
• During the operations phase, lead all mini-grid procurement and maintenance activities;
• Continuously optimize and the improve mini-grid operations and energy retailing through data-driven initiatives;
• Develop monitoring systems to ensure optimal operation of mini-grids across sub-Saharan Africa;
• Participate in management strategy sessions to continuously improve the company’s mini-grid strategy and outcomes;
• Reporting to management, utilities, and regulators, as required, as well as manage coordination related to any 3rd party investor due diligence;
• Contribute to the delivery of mini-grid training, both for internal teams and for project partners and investee companies; and
• Appoint, train, and manage local hires, as well as mentor and work with junior team members.

Minimum Requirements

The ideal candidate would have the following skills and credentials:

• University degree in a relevant discipline, preferably electrical engineering or a similar area and/or 3-5 years of work experience in engineering project management, engineering construction and/or operation and maintenance services;
• Technical engineering background with demonstrated experience in planning and execution of complex engineering projects and/or operation and maintenance of electrical systems;
• Strong data analytics capabilities and knowledge of relevant software and programming for electrical engineering and grid management;
• Strong understanding of electrical systems (ideally electrical distribution systems);
• Effective organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize processes and schedules, develop sound project plans, conduct construction, operation, maintenance reviews, and juggle multiple assignments with competing deadlines;
• High level of intellectual curiosity with the ability to work independently in a self-directed, entrepreneurial environment;
• Ability to excel in a collaborative, technical, cross-functional and geographically diverse organization;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in rural environments and collaborate with rural communities across East Africa;
• Ability to travel regionally on a frequent basis to project sites; and
• Strong written and spoken English skills are required; additional French and/or Swahili language skills also strongly preferred.

Preferred

While not mandatory, the following would be desirable in an applicant:

• Additional languages spoken which are relevant to working in the region
• Experience working with communities in rural sub-Saharan Africa and/or other emerging markets
• Understanding or knowledge of “smart grids”, metering solutions, and electricity metering and retailing from a technical and/or a business perspective