Head of Project Development, Rural Electrification

Head of Project Development

Job Vacancy > Head of Project Development

Location > Mwanza, Tanzania

Position Type > Full Time

Organization Type > Company

Activity > Rural electrification

Application deadline: 16th of December 2015

About the Company

The Tanzanian jointventure JUMEME RURAL POWER SUPPLY LTD. was established by the partners INENSUS GmbH (Germany), TERRAPROJECTS (Austria) and ST. AUGUSTINE UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA (Tanzania) as a micro-utility with the aim to implement and operate Solar-Hybrid Mini-Grids in remote settlements in Tanzania providing reliable, affordable and clean electricity to businesses and small industries, households, and public infrastructures.

The first project of JUMEME is co-funded by the European Union under the European Commission ACP-EU Energy Facility and other international donors. By implementing 25+ mini-grids in the north-western regions of Tanzania and providing electricity to 11,000 households, 2,600 agricultural enterprises, businesses and small industries, and > 80 public infrastructures (reaching > 80,000 rural citizens in total) by 2017, JUMEME aims at becoming one of the largest solar mini-grid operators in Africa.

JUMEME is seeking highly motivated personnel that will help scaling up the business and achieving the company's goal of providing energy services to 1 million people by 2022.

Job Description

Reporting directly to the General Manager, and if requested to the Board of Directors, the Head of Project Development (HPD) is responsible for all Mini-Grid project development activities starting from identification of communities, electricity demand assessment, stakeholder consultations, land acquisition, obtaining of permits and authorizations, up to a ready to build status of the Mini-Grid system. The HPD will be leading a team of field researchers and technicians and collaborating closely with other departments of the company.

Further responsibilities of the HPD are:

• The HPD is in charge of identifying new villages that are eligible for Mini-Grid electrification by JUMEME based on a well-defined set of criteria. The task includes longer periods of travelling in rural areas and close interaction with respective representatives at the Regional, District, Ward and Village levels, and coordination and signing of agreements with these authorities.
• The HPD is organizes and supervises a team of field researchers to carry out electricity demand assessment in the communities, evaluates the results and derives load profiles as required input data for technical and economic system design.
• The HPD coordinates consultations with all stakeholders involved in the project development cycle including the national authorities (Ministry of Energy and Minerals, REA, EWURA, NEMC), the local authorities (Regional, District, Ward and Villages levels), TANESCO, project partners and donors, with the aim to establish and maintain good relationship to all stakeholders and to assure a smooth implementation of all activities.
• The HPD is responsible for the acquisition of land in the respective villages for the construction and long-term operation of the power stations by following the prevailing procedures and coordinating with the responsible authorities.
• The HPD follows up on all necessary permitting, authorization and approval requirements for the implementation and operation of the Mini-Grid systems, including but not limited to registration and licensing (if required) with EWURA, construction permits with the District authorities, and Environmental Impact Assessments with NEMC. The HPD takes care of the necessary ongoing coordination and close collaboration with all stakeholders involved.

Job Requirements

• Professional qualifications must include a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration and/or Engineering
• Ideal professional experience includes: having worked as a Project Manager within a complex and fast growing organization with experience in the energy/rural electrification sector
• In-depth knowledge of the Tanzanian and East African renewable energy and rural electrification private sectors
• Demonstrated experience of networking in private and public sectors, ideally with existing networks in the respective sectors in Tanzania
• Good experience in interacting and managing relationships with different stakeholders, including leaders and members of rural communities
• Proven experience in leading teams of field researchers and technicians
• Exceptional written and oral communication abilities in English and Kiswahili
• Good computer skills, particularly MS Office
• Ability and readiness to travel regularly to rural areas and to work under challenging conditions
• Ability and readiness to work independently, yet with profound team spirit
• Ability and readiness to work under pressure and in flexible working hours

Benefits

A Tanzanian employment contract with a competitive compensation package will be offered depending on the experience and qualifications of the successful applicant.

HOW TO APPLY:

If you believe your career objectives match this challenging role, please send your application by Wednesday, 16th of December 2015 by E-Mail to HR-JUMEME@inensus.com. Please attach your cover letter, CV, copies of certificates and qualifications, name at least three referees with their contact details, and indicate your salary expectations and earliest availability.