RTI Senior Grid Extension Advisor Jobs in Ethiopia

RTI Senior Grid Extension Advisor Jobs in Ethiopia

RTI International is a research institute based in North Carolina, USA of approximately 5000 employees with 30 years of worldwide experience implementing international development projects in energy and other disciplines. We have extensive experience implementing a variety of projects worldwide focusing on legal/regulatory reform of the energy sector, improving energy efficiency, utility turnaround, raising private financing for energy infrastructure, working with governments on legal and regulatory reforms to alleviate bottlenecks, and increasing underserved populations’ access to energy. RTI is implementing on behalf of USAID a four year, 10-country energy program focused on East Africa, called EAEP (East Africa Energy Program). Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. Other countries include Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This 4-year task order will run through December 2023.

RTI is hiring a Senior Grid Extension Advisor to oversee all work focused on adding new customers to existing grid-based energy systems, and reducing the cost- and time-requirements of continuing to add new customers. This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, but will be responsible for overseeing the work in multiple countries, starting with the priority countries listed above.

Responsibilities:

Responsible for facilitating the connection of new end-users to the grid via regularization, grid densification, and grid extension—with a focus on enhancing the cost-effectiveness and speed of electrification. Promotes increased grid-based productive and direct use applications and reduced grid connection costs for both the customers and the utilities.

Specific Responsibilities:

Lead Objective 2 Team.

Review and conduct feasibility studies for connecting renewable energy projects to the grid.

Review host country’s regulations pertaining to the integration of renewable energy into the grid.

Develop investment plans for the most cost-effective ways to bring power to various types of customers.

Train EEU staff on integrating the geospatial and engineering platform into their daily operations and electrification plans.

Improve utilities’ procurement procedures and train them on how to follow the guidelines and templates of international lending agencies or donors.

Support EEP with rehabilitation of transmission and distribution (T&D) networks by providing them with technical consulting/assistance on T&D operations’ improvements.

Support Ministry of Energy and Petroleum (MOEP) with developing templates that county governments (CGs) can use to present their energy plans, developing a

process for consolidating energy plans by service providers and CGs into a national energy plan, and establishing an effective framework for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the national energy plan.

Work with CGs through the Council of Governments and its secretary to obtain political buy-in and leverage the Council’s convening power and established communication channels.

Support the promotion of renewable energy development by leading and participating in workshops, conferences, and short courses in the KPLC Institute of Energy Studies and Research and elsewhere, in addition to setting up administration centers in the counties for the preparation of the county energy plans.

Quantify the financial impact by assessing the grid expansion foreseen under the Kenya National Electrification Strategy and generating a model that calculates the resulting increase in operational costs and revenue.

Manage subcontractor Tetra Tech’s tasks and deliverables with respect to working with KPLC to implement and operationalize its new corporate strategy, including the 30+ strategic initiatives identified in the new strategic plan.

Support utilities and rural electrification agencies in reducing the cost of connections and time required to connect to the grid.

Work with the relevant utility/regulator to design and implement innovative, alternative business models for new on-grid connections.

Work with the relevant stakeholders and utilities to create demand for on-grid connections in several East African countries.

Required minimum qualification and experience.

Minimum of Master’s degree in engineering, economics, or a related field;

Minimum of 10 years’ experience in utility planning, with 5 years direct international work experience in developing countries;

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Strong oral/written communication skills and ability to communicate at multiple levels in the organization: and ability to coordinate activities with officials from host country government, US Government, NGO’s, and other agencies;

Ability to build effective relationships with all clients, peers, and stakeholders

Ability to work hands-on, independently, and within team.

Demonstrated success managing and leading technical and administrative teams;

Strong organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team-oriented setting;

Experience in general business administration and financial management

English language proficiency

Application deadline 3rd October 2019

For more information and job applications details, see; RTI Senior Grid Extension Advisor Jobs in Ethiopia