Location: Nairobi (Kenya) or Kigali (Rwanda) with travel within the East Africa region
Department: Practical Action Consulting (PAC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the NGO, Practical Action
Line Manager: Manager – PAC East Africa
Job Titles of Persons Supervised: External Associates / Consultants
Why Work With Us: Nearly two billion people around the world, most of whom live in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, including East Africa, lack access to reliable and affordable modern energy: this restricts their health, education and earning potential. Of this 2 billion, 60% live entirely without electricity.
This lack of access is a substantial barrier to inclusive economic growth. People rely on energy for cooking, heating and lighting.
Businesses need energy to improve productivity and generate growth. Essential community services such as basic healthcare, sanitation and education all require power to be effective.
Practical Action Consulting aims to facilitate access to modern, off-grid, energy for low-income consumers in East Africa through research, analysis and policy advice, technology development and adaptation, piloting new delivery models and catalysing development of energy access markets.
Job Summary: The overall purpose of this job is to win and deliver energy-focused consultancy assignments which support Practical Action’s regional energy strategy and the goal of universal energy access in the East Africa region.
Relationships: The job holder will work under the supervision of the PAC Manager in the East Africa region.
He/she will work with Practical Action’s energy team and liaise with the other PAC offices in Africa and the UK in order to ensure that Practical Action’s energy strategy and specific consulting assignment goals and objectives are achieved.
Assignments will be delivered directly by the job holder or through project management of other PAC staff and experienced external consultants, and the job holder may be also be called on to input to assignments managed by other members of the team, and/or led by PAC offices in other regions.
The job will entail the development and maintenance of new and existing partnerships with other organisations and our network of consultants in the East Africa region.
The job holder will interact and collaborate with central and county governments, international agencies and development partners, institutions of higher learning and peer consulting firms, as required to deliver work to a high quality.
Duties and Responsibilities
Project Development
Develop high quality Concept Notes, Expressions of Interests and Proposals to win new energy assignments in the region (often to very tight deadlines). This will involve:
Identifying and reviewing opportunities
Leading and coordinating proposal development activities
Identifying the capabilities, activities and roles needed to deliver projects, contacting potential partners and external associates and agreeing partnering arrangements
Developing technical proposals and methodologies for project delivery
Collating organisational information and relevant project references
Developing project budgets
Network with relevant energy stakeholders and potential clients/funding agencies in the region with a view to securing new work.
Project Implementation
Manage the day-to-day delivery of long-term and short-term energy assignments in East Africa in close collaboration with PAC UK, other PAC regional offices, external partner organisations and consultants.
Be responsible for all aspects of assigned projects including technical inputs, budget and contract management, client relationships, partner co-ordination/facilitation, production of reports/knowledge products and team management (with responsibility for other project team members’ inputs; developing TORs, ensuring timely delivery, and quality assurance of sub-contractors, Practical Action and PAC staff).
Review reports prepared by project team members and associates before delivery to the client to ensure that they are of a high quality and meet the client’s requirements
Ensure that all project management functions are completed in a timely and quality manner, including implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
Manage allocated project budget(s) to ensure that all expenditures are legitimate and accounted for with correct budget coding and supporting documentation as per PAC’s administration procedures.
Ensure that information and lessons learned are collected from projects and knowledge shared with key stakeholders within and outside the organisation (including writing and reviewing relevant project reports and knowledge products)
Liaison and Networking
Represent PAC and Practical Action at international meetings and events, particularly those which will support PA’s influencing strategy, raise PAC’s profile and generate networks and contacts in the energy and development sector.
Author and commission articles for publication in international media and journals based on a synthesis of project experience
Build and maintain relationships with Associate Energy Consultants to enable PAC to effectively deliver assignments in the region.
Represent Practical Action Consulting at national, regional and international meetings, workshops and other forums to share our work, our lessons, our impacts and our capabilities.
Build on the existing good working relationship between PA/PAC East Africa, PAC UK and other PA/PAC regional offices to develop increased levels of understanding, collaboration and innovative opportunities for joint working.
Others
Identify innovations, technologies and new areas for developing improved and innovative energy solutions and approaches to ensure that Practical Action remains on the cutting edge in East Africa.
Undertake any other tasks as assigned by the line manager.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Academic Qualifications
At least a bachelor’s degree in energy, economics or other technical discipline.
A post graduate diploma in project management or community development will be an added advantage
Technical Skills and Experience:
Sound knowledge and experience of off-grid energy access technologies, preferably rural electrification, mini-grids and wind, small-hydro, solar or biomass generation. Knowledge of other technologies including solar PV, solar home systems, solar lanterns, improved cook stoves and bioenergy (including biogas) an advantage.
Understanding of energy access issues in developing countries and knowledge of energy policy and regulatory approaches.
Knowledge and experience of one or more of the following:
Energy economic analysis and least-cost energy access planning
Energy markets, enterprise models and bottom-of-the-pyramid delivery
Rural development, community engagement, Environmental impact assessment, social impact assessment and participatory methods
Relevant Job Experience
At least five (5) years’ relevant work experience in designing and implementing energy access projects or consultancy assignments within the NGO or private sectors, within East Africa or internationally.
Experience in developing proposals to win new projects or consultancy assignments.
Other Competencies / Abilities / Skills Required
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, generate new project ideas and contacts and drive forward initiatives proactively
Excellent communication and influencing skills across cultures, including proven technical writing and presentation/communication skills. Fluency in written and spoken English essential, working knowledge of French will be an added advantage.
Analytical and numerical skills, familiarity with the research process and the ability to synthesize data, present results and draw meaningful conclusions
Excellent project management skills, including finance and contract management, client and stakeholder management, managing inputs from team members, consultants and partners, capability to use project management tools to deliver projects on time and budget to the satisfaction of the client.
Excellent organisational and time management skills and ability to adhere to strict deadlines
Clear understanding of gender issues.
How to Apply
If you are ready for an exciting challenge with an organisation whose mission and values are particularly relevant in these rapidly changing times, please forward your application, curriculum vitae and cover letter to
Practical Action, Eastern Africa Regional Office
by email: recruitment@practicalaction.or.ke
no later than 19th August, 2016
indicating ‘Practical Action: Job Title Position’ in the subject line of the email.
Your cover letter should outline why you feel this is the position for you and you are the right candidate.
Please include the names and contact details of 3 referees in your CV.
Practical Action is an equal opportunity employer; qualified women are encouraged to apply.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.