GVEP Technology Manager

Job Title:       Technology Manager

Reports to:     Business Support Manager

Based in:       Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya

Purpose

GVEP works to increase the effectiveness of energy product and service providers and supports micro, small and medium enterprises to strengthen their businesses, develop projects or expand or diversify their businesses in order to improve their investability and to access finance. A key plan of this work is support to those businesses with high quality technology, engineering and project management advice. Some of the projects in which this support is provided are:

1. Capital Access for Renewable Energy Enterprises (CARE²) project funded by Sida. GVEP International is implementing all aspects of this programme which will support the growth of a sustained market for renewable energy, focusing on “e-MSMEs” (energy-focused micro, small and medium sized enterprises) in east Africa, as a means to drive economic prosperity in a way which is inclusive of people living in poverty. Lasting three years, and the project is targeting the creation of 3,600 new jobs in 1,400 e-MSMEs, through a balanced combination of interventions designed to increase both the supply of capital to businesses, and their capacity to deploy that capital effectively.

The project has, among other components, a Business Support function also known as the Technical Assistance Facility, (“TAF”), for e-MSMEs looking to raise capital, to help them to identify potential lenders and/or investors, and to prepare their investment cases for that purpose.

2. Energy SMEs Programme: ESME is a programme under the World Bank administered Russian fund. The fund is for supporting Energy SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen their capacity to provide energy services to poor communities in the SSA region.

GVEP International is providing technical assistance, business development services and assistance in accessing finance for SMEs in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Mali and Senegal. Government agencies in these countries also receive funding from the Trust Fund to support SMEs through specific programmes which GVEP International has helped to design.

The primary focus of ESME is on assisting eligible SMEs and projects to access the support being provided through government agencies and ensuring they become sustainable and successful enterprises. Activities also extend to assisting similar SMEs

and projects to qualify for finance from other sources, e.g. other government initiatives, donor programmes, banks and/or investors. Follow up with these various enterprises to enable them to realise their potential is a key part of the GVEP International work plan agreed with the World Bank.

3. The Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (CIC) provides incubation, capacity building and financing to Kenyan entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who are looking to develop and scale innovative climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives.

The initiative, which is being funded by DANIDA and DFID in partnership with the World Bank’s infoDev programme, aims to improve livelihoods by unlocking innovative solutions to climate change. In the first 5 years, the CIC is expected to fund over 70 climate technology businesses in Kenya and generate 4,600 direct and indirect jobs, including 1,400 jobs for women.

The CIC is implemented by a consortium whose lead partners – Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), GVEP International, Strathmore University and the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) – offer a unique combination of world-class management capability, frontline experience with Kenyan SMEs, and first class facilities.

4. Other projects: GVEP does other projects in the field of supporting enterprises to grow and flourish through capacity building, mentorship, project development and access to finance. Further GVEP is continuously looking for new opportunities for projects in furtherance of its mission of accelerated access to energy.

GVEP is also collaborating with a Swiss-based fund manager Alpha Mundi to raise a Euro50m impact investment fund targeting energy SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Technical Assistance Facility team will play a key role in generating a pipeline of investment opportunities for the fund, pre-screening potential deals and providing post-investment support at the request of the Prometheus investment managers.

The Role

The opportunity is to lead the team that offers technology support. It is a fixed term contract (with a possibility of extension) to support the Africa Regional Office in providing sound advice that enables enterprises to become more effective in their application of technology. The Technology Manager will work with a team of experts in solar, small hydro, biomass, wind and other renewable energy technologies. The role will be one of five that report directly to the Business Support Manager, who in turn reports to the Regional Director for Africa and will be responsible for a small team of three technical staff.

Main responsibilities include:

·    Assessing technical feasibility of projects and business ventures by -

o Analysing the technology being applied and its suitability to the situation, including looking at alternatives

o   Reviewing business plans with a view to establishing the appropriateness and soundness of technologies proposed by enterprises supported by the programme

o   Assessing engineering designs for soundness and optimisation

o   Assessing the environmental impacts and validating them for compliance with the law and the requirements by donors and investors

o   Similarly assessing the social impacts and whether they are compliant with donor and investor requirements and, if not, whether sufficient safeguards have been built in to satisfy those requirements

o   Critically examining any measurements for accuracy/appropriateness and the soundness of the progression from measurement to capacity determination

o   Validating project plans

·         Management the procurement of expert advice as required and ensure that any advice given to project developers or businesses is of an appropriate standard

·         Helping develop detailed and accurate bills of quantity for all procurement components

·         Assisting in procurement to ensure it is efficient and meets donor/investor requirements and is in line with good procurement practices

·         Helping supervise construction to ensure it meets agreed standards and that progress is as per the project plan

·         Participating in commissioning some of the projects to achieve the promised performance

·         Supporting design and implementing training programmes ahead of commencing operations

·         Ascertaining that the operation of the completed projects is as planned and delivery of output/product is as expected or better, and that it is maintained

·         Keeping abreast of developments in technology and best practises

·         Managing the team of technology experts, continuously upgrading their skills and filing any gaps to match with client requirements

Requirements:

·         A strong background in engineering, science or energy technology spanning five years or more

·         Experience in carrying out or supervising feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, engineering designs, infrastructure procurement, construction, commissioning and operations

·         Working knowledge of the solar, small hydro, biomass, wind and other renewable energy technologies

·         A good understanding of renewable energy technologies including small hydro, solar, biomass with an eye for technical, financial and economic feasibility

·         Experience with infrastructure project cycles: Planning, procurement, construction, commissioning, training, operation.

·         Good team building and motivational skills with an ability to work with technology experts and deliver

·         A good communicator with advanced oral and written skills

·         High numeracy skills with ability to analyse complex data (including engineering data) and discern patterns, trends and anomalies and generate useful information

·         A can-do and collaborative mindset – comfortable with the ambiguities and demands of a rapidly evolving environment.

·         Experience working with donor funded projects would be an advantage

The position will require regular travel within East Africa.

To apply please send your CV plus a covering letter (in English) outlining how your knowledge, skills and experience match the job specification to  recruitment@gvepinternational.org

Deadline for applications submission is 19^th October 2012.

Interviews will be held during the week commencing 22^nd  October 2012 in Nairobi

GVEP International is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.