SME Advisor
Reports to: Programme Manager –
Moving Energy Initiative
Based in: Nairobi, Kenya
Based in: Nairobi, Kenya
Energy 4 Impact supports businesses
that provide energy access toff-grid communities in Africa. We believe that
businesses can offer the best solutions tenergy poverty. We help them access
capital, technology and operational advice sthey can become profitable and sustainable.
Expanding clean energy markets
improves livelihoods and accelerates economic growth. We deliver demand-driven,
practical, and customised support tSMEs, project developers, social
enterprises, and micro-enterprises that provide renewable energy services
toff-grid communities through high-quality business, financial and technical
mentoring and advice.
The role will primarily work with
clients in Kenya but may alsprovide remote support tprogramme partners
operating in Jordan and Burkina Faso.
The clients will include businesses
providing energy products and solutions such as small-scale assets for power
generation and distribution, non-wood based fuels, solar home systems and solar
charging services.
The role will alswork testablish
financial mechanisms tprovide long term and sustainable funding tfuture
interventions in the sector supporting energy access in displaced contexts.
In addition tthe private sector, the
advisor will engage with a range of stakeholders including humanitarian
organizations, local government, donors and displaced people timplement
appropriate solutions, demonstrate new approaches on the ground and generate
evidence that will create a paradigm shift in the way energy services are
provided.
SME
Advisor Job Responsibilities
o Working with humanitarian organisations and the private sector
to develop a pipeline of projects that could sustainably address current energy
needs in humanitarian settings.
o Working with project developers to refine the technical and
financial scope of their proposals.
o Leading the design of funding mechanisms for energy projects in
humanitarian settings based on consultations between potential donors and
project developers.
o Managing the design of the fund structure, institutional
arrangements, evaluation criteria, project specifications etc.
o Conducting feasibility into businesses model and technical
solutions that can address current energy challenges in camp settings including
non-wood based fuel and infrastructure management contracts.
o Conducting consultations with stakeholders to design the
required support mechanisms and contracts.
o Developing procurement processes and contracts that could be
used for tendering energy services.
o Coordinating the review and evaluation of project proposals and
preparing the necessary documentation for disbursement of small grant awards.
o Monitoring and evaluation of grants that have been awarded to
project developers for low carbon energy projects and market development
activities.
o Provision of technical assistance during the implementation of
the projects.
o Supporting the design and implementation of market based
interventions under the programme including proposed activities and partners
for implementation.
o Inputting into project documents, work plans and budgets.
o Supporting the design of tools for use by humanitarian actors to
improve energy data management and camp level planning of energy interventions.
o Inputting into programme reports to communicate activities with
partners and donors and toolkit disseminating findings from the programme.
o Managing relationships and communication between MEI and the
private sector to ensure their effective involvement and input throughout the
programme.
o Supporting monitoring and evaluation activities across the
programme to ensure data and evidence on programme interventions are accurately
captured.
o Support in other programme management and operational activities
as required. Requirements
Experience
Required For The SME Advisor Job
o 5+ years’ experience in energy project development, operations,
or financing; or experience in early-stage entrepreneurship
o 5+ years’ experience in management or strategic consulting or
financial advisory;
o Experience working in the energy sector in East Africa with a
strong focus on private sector engagement and development;
o Understanding of energy technologies for cooking and lighting
and power generation applications;
o Experience in project management, management of small scale
grants and monitoring and evaluation of projects;
o Experience working with rural and off-grid business models and
technologies, and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by businesses
operating in Africa;
o Experience in procurement and contracting for energy projects
and services is a plus.
Attributes
o Good team building and motivational skills with an ability to
work with a diverse mix of professionals and deliver;
o Very strong communication skills, both oral and written.
o Ability to interact with a range of stakeholders at the private
sector, NGOs and community level;
o Ability to see the big picture and connect the dots;
o A can-do and collaborative mindset – comfortable with the
ambiguities and demands of a rapidly evolving and entrepreneurial environment
with a team from diverse backgrounds;
o Strong organizational skills with the ability to put frameworks
and structures in place for effective implementation and monitoring of
projects;
o Passionate about working in the impact space.