Project Manager - Distributed Renewable Energy - Agriculture Modalities (Contingent to Donor Funding) at SNV

Project Manager - Distributed Renewable Energy - Agriculture Modalities (Contingent to Donor Funding)

Employer: SNV

Employment: Full-Time | Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa - Ethiopia

Posted date: 15 hours ago

Deadline: March, 28/2025 (9 days left)

Project background

The Distributed Renewable Energy-Agriculture Modalities (DREAM) project is funded by GEAPP that will run until March 2027. The project initially aimed to pilot nine agriculture-driven private sector mini-grids in Ethiopia which are primed to scale through investments from the World Bank (WB), African Development Bank (AFDB) and European Investment Bank (EIB). The project implementation was intended to be across three regions in Ethiopia (Oromia, Amhara and SNNP), which is expected to impact an estimated 11,500 people (2,500 households), 1,545 hectares of irrigated farmland, seven schools, three health clinics/outposts, and many small enterprises making this the largest mini-grid powered irrigation project in Africa. Given the current situation, the project aims to launch two agriculture-driven private sector mini-grids in Lot 3 of the intervention area, with the potential for expansion to other lots based on the project's success.

The project will focus on managing a Mini-grid Development Fund (MDF) to provide performance-based financial support for nine agriculture-driven private sector mini-grids in Ethiopia. It will also engage communities and farmers in productive energy use (PUE) beyond irrigation and e-mobility to drive demand and enhance mini-grid viability. Additionally, it will facilitate knowledge management to support pilot learnings, evaluation, and dissemination of results, while fostering sector collaboration and coordination with project partners and service providers.

Purpose of the Job

The Project Manager of the DREAM project will provide technical leadership and strategic direction to enhance productivity and energy access in pilot areas. Responsibilities include sector collaboration, coordination with project partners, and ensuring effective implementation, learning, and replication potential. The role also involves overseeing innovation, knowledge transfer, quality assurance, timely deliverables, adaptive monitoring and evaluation, financial resource management, procurement supervision, and representation at national and international mini-grid events.

The PM will ensure data quality assurance for digital management platforms and field verification units, effectively handling large datasets to track mini-grid connections and assess financing program impacts. Acting as the primary liaison with the donor, they will ensure full compliance with contractual obligations, oversee annual planning and budgeting, and lead reporting processes.

Project implementation will be carried out within the agreed scope, budget, and timeline, adhering to quality commitments. The Team Leader will monitor the management team’s performance, address risks, implement corrective actions as needed, and guide knowledge development, documentation, communication, and branding in collaboration with the donor and implementing partners.

Job Description

Strategic Project Management & Coordination:

• Lead the implementation of the DREAM project, ensuring alignment with SNV’s objectives and donor requirements.
• Maintain strong communication with GEAPP, AfDB, the Ministry of Water and Energy, and other governmental institutions such as the Agricultural Technological Institute (ATI).
• Apply adaptive management strategies to navigate the complexities of a blended finance model and support the minigrid developer through the mini-grid development process including the due diligence.

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as the primary liaison between SNV, GEAPP, AfDB, and the Ethiopian government entities.
• Facilitate collaboration between the minigrid developer (RVE.SOL) and financial partners to ensure compliance with funding requirements.
• Engage with local communities to support energy adoption strategies and facilitate productive use of energy (PUE) initiatives.

Technical Expertise in Energy & Water Systems:

• Oversee the integration of energy and irrigation systems, ensuring a market-driven approach for water access.
• Coordinate with inhouse experts and external partners in PUE to introduce complementary energy uses such as e-cooking and other identified productive applications.
• Support the private sector partner in developing an efficient service delivery model for irrigation and other energy applications.

Financial & Grant Management:

• Manage the grant disbursement process to the minigrid developer based on milestone achievements.
• Ensure compliance with financial procedures and donor guidelines.
• Work closely with administrative and financial teams to oversee budget execution and reporting.

Institutional Coordination & Community Engagement:

• Facilitate inter-institutional coordination between government agencies, donors, and private sector actors in the promotion of mini-grid development and PUE.
• Lead efforts to enhance community adoption of minigrid energy services and irrigation solutions.
• Develop capacity-building initiatives to strengthen local market systems and ensure project sustainability.

The PM oversees accounting and reporting to SNV, donors, and partners, ensuring compliance with auditing, regulatory requirements, and project closure, including a smooth transition if a follow-up phase is initiated.

Additionally, the PM adheres to SNV standards, project management approaches, and donor regulations to maintain high-quality execution and achieve the project’s agreed results and deliverables

Qualifications

Educational Qualifications and Work Experience

• Master’s degree in Renewable Energy, Water Resource Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, and the private sector.
• At least 6 years’ practical experience in managing donor funded medium scale (USD 2 million and above), international development co-operation project
• Expertise in fund management and project development & management

• Demonstrated ability and experience of managing projects applying a market-based approach, through private sector engagement and leveraging commercial finance
• Experience working with female entrepreneurs and gender and youth integration approaches.
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills with proven team-building ability
• Ability to create a resourceful, open-minded, constructive and innovative working environment
• Ability to incorporate or work with local organisations and actors in accordance to relevant Ethiopian context
• Proven track record of managing project budget and financial planning
• Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English
• Experience in the development and/or use of data management platforms
• Strong expertise in energy systems, irrigation, and market-based water access solutions.
• Experience in managing blended finance projects and supporting due diligence processes for private sector partners.
• Proven ability to lead inter-institutional coordination and community engagement efforts.
• Excellent communication skills and strategic vision to navigate high-level partnerships.
• Experience with milestone-based grant disbursement mechanisms.
• This position requires a proactive, strategic leader with a deep understanding of energy-water nexus interventions and the ability to coordinate a multi-stakeholder environment effectively.

Additional Skills:

• Experience working with multi-donor and public-private partnerships.
• Background in facilitating productive use of energy (PUE) initiatives.
• Knowledge of financial mechanisms supporting renewable energy and water solutions.
• Experience in managing adaptive programs in dynamic environments.
• Thorough knowledge of regulatory requirements for independent power production in the African context inclusive of tariff regulations and concessional agreement formulations
• Demonstrated experience in procurement and tender management inclusive of import reception processes in custom clearances
• Expertise in demand creation, and community engagement
• Excellent and demonstrable analytical skills
• Self-reliant in computer skills

Competencies:

• Leadership
• Planning and organising
• Persuasiveness
• Conceptual thinking
• Result orientation
• Focus on quality

Additional Information

Contract Type: National - Full time

This position will be based on Donor Funding and approval confirmation.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, with occasional travel to project sites.

Contract Duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance.

How to Apply? If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on March 28, 2025. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be kept in the strictest confidentiality. If your experience and skills match the position's requirements, we will contact you to advise on the next steps in the recruitment process.

Working at SNV SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts.

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