Job description
About the Role
The role of the Senior Hydropower Developer is to lead the commercial management, technical planning and development required for megawatt-scale hydropower generation facilities and rural distribution grids throughout rural East Africa. The successful candidate will be driven by the potential for creating large-scale positive impact by electrifying rural areas and will demonstrate solid commercial and technical knowledge and understanding, close attention to detail, and keen interest to expand his or her skills with on-the-job training. The position will report to the Managing Director.
Duties will include leading and managing the overall development of projects, managing a team junior engineers, hiring of technical and environment consultants and negotiation of project contracts.
By nature of being a start-up company, the Senior Hydropower Developer will also be expected to contribute to the development of the company and support the general business needs of the company.
The Senior Hydropower Developer will be based in Nairobi though will be expected to travel to project sites in rural areas within Kenya and greater East Africa. It is envisioned that the Senior Hydropower Developer will work closely with and report to the executive management team in Nairobi.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Leading and managing the overall development of hydropower projects in East Africa;
Tendering and hiring of consultants for technical, environmental and social impact studies;
Liaising with institutions (Utilities, Regulators, Relevant Ministries, etc.) on permit applications and energy planning;
Negotiating project contracts, including power purchase agreements, construction contracts, consulting contracts and joint development agreements;
Leading the land acquisition process;
Coordinating on project development with other departments, including legal, financial, engineering and construction;
Managing community relations and local government stakeholders;
Managing a team of Junior Engineers; and
Working closely with the executive management team to implement the strategic vision for the company.
About the Applicant
Education and Experience
The ideal candidate would have the following experience:
Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering (or similarly relevant concentration) with some coursework in power plant design, construction, and power grid development;
7-10+ years of renewable power project development and/or related electrical distribution and transmission experience (both design office and field);
Experience managing technical teams and extensive project management experience;
Knowledge/experience in renewables engineering, grid design and development, and/or rural electrification project development.
Competencies
The ideal candidate would have the following competencies:
Effective organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize processes and schedules, develop sound project plans, conduct constructability, operability, maintainability 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;
Ability to work well in rural environments and collaborate with rural communities across East Africa;
Maturity, professionalism, integrity, and excellent technical, intercultural, and communication skills;
Strong written and spoken English skills are required (Kiswahili and other East African languages a plus).
