Team Leader, Solar Energy Activity at Tetra Tech

Team Leader, Solar Energy Activity

Employer: Tetra Tech

Employment: Full-Time | Permanent

Place of Work: ******* - Ethiopia

Posted date: 11 months ago

Deadline: Submission date is over

Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Project Summary:

Through the USAID/Ethiopia and Djibouti Learning Analytics Activity (LAA), MSI is tasked to conduct a final performance evaluation assessment of the Solar Energy Activity (SEA). The Pilot Solar Activity is a two-year pilot Activity funded by USAID which is implemented in Kalaf village, Tadjourah region in Djibouti by Liquidstar Inc. as part of facilitating private sector investment in Djibouti’s energy sector to ensure sustainability and support the country's path to energy independence. A public-private partnership with U.S. social impact start-up, Liquidstar, deployed an innovative Waypoint charging station to provide off-grid electrical power distribution, potable water, internet, and e-mobility to Kalaf village. Households are accessing regular electricity via rentable 100 Wh, 200 Wh or 2.5kWh batteries for 50 Djiboutian Francs ($0.30) per day. The station can charge a set of batteries that can meet the small appliance electricity needs of up to 80 households in the area. Locals in the vicinity collect the batteries and use them to power their household and agricultural equipment. Also, Locals have access to Liquidstar's in-house developed electric bicycle (e-moto) which has a battery system that can power the bicycle and can be removed to power medium to large appliances. This bicycle will also be used to potentially deliver batteries to households.

Position Summary:

The Team Leader will be responsible for the overall management of the study and provide overall technical leadership support, with guidance from USAID/Ethiopia and Djibouti LAA. The Team Leader will oversee the evaluation team’s efforts to effectively design, implement, report, and disseminate the study and ensure high-quality and timely performance throughout the evaluation process. The Team Leader will be expected to conduct evaluation fieldwork in Djibouti. The estimated level of effort is to be decided and the expected period of performance for this activity is to begin the first week of June 2024 and is expected to be completed at the end of the first week of September 2024, working approximately up to 75% of this period.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the development of a work plan that includes a draft timeline, assessment/evaluation milestones, schedule of field visits and data collection efforts, proposed evaluation methodology, and assessment/evaluation team member(s).
• Coordinate the development of the Study Design.
• Manage data quality throughout the assessment/evaluation process, including data processing and report writing.
• Coordinate and oversee all study aspects, ensuring adherence to timelines, budget, and compliance with USAID Evaluation Standards.
• Utilize both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Apply analytical skills to interpret the findings and make actionable recommendations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact on the evaluation, maintain regular communication, and provide updates on the evaluation progress.
• Ensure effective communication within the team and with key stakeholders.
• Lead and participate in PowerPoint preparation and presentation of evaluation design, write-up, and preparation of high-quality reports, presenting evaluation findings and recommendations to Mission and other relevant stakeholders.
• Work closely with team members to ensure effective coordination and collaboration.
• Guide team members, promoting a positive and productive working environment.
• Monitor team performance, provide feedback, and address any performance issues.
• Guide effective collaboration with the implementing partner of the activity to ensure timely and accurate reporting of evaluation results.
• Manage the evaluation address comments given at all stages of the evaluation and deliver quality products, including the overall delivery of the evaluation deliverables.

Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in renewable energy, electrical engineering, or other relevant fields is required.
• Minimum eight years of experience in the field of solar photo voltage (PV) installations, including grid-connected, off-grid, PV diesel, and hybrid installations with battery storage required.
• Experience in leading data collection, analysis, and interpretation using quantitative and qualitative methods is required.
• Experience in team management, assessment/evaluation design, and implementation is required.
• Experience in determining cost-benefit analysis of solar service provisions is preferred.
• Experience leading assessments/evaluations of a similar nature and leading assessment/evaluation team members with different backgrounds.
• Experience conducting baselines, assessments, and evaluations in East Africa, preferably Djibouti.
• Familiarity with USAID Evaluation Standards and requirements is required.
• Knowledge of solar products in the local market is required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and other related engineering and energy software.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical, leadership, organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills required.
• Ability to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality work under pressure required.
• Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in French and/or Afar language is desirable.

MSI is an equal-opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We strive to develop and maintain a culture that honors the perspectives and identities of our employees, our communities, and those impacted by our work.

We do not discriminate based on any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. Per applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.

MSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities/Veterans Employer.

Reasonable Accommodations:

MSI is dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Tech’s Disability Assistance Page. Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Additional Information

• Organization: 216 MSI
• Requisition #21600002025