Energy Expert - Ethiopia country Program

Purpose 

The Energy Expert will be part of GGGI Ethiopia country team to provide technical support on green energy project development and implementation. This will include conducting landscape assessments, support implementation of projects, lead discussion with country governments focal points, stakeholder consultations, reviewing/drafting analytical papers and experiences, participating in knowledge sharing programs, and refining and solidifying GGGI’s service offerings related to the energy thematic area in Ethiopia. The individual shall engage with colleagues within GGGI and government officials in Ethiopia to expand the energy portfolio. The individual shall also be expected to assist in the development of partnerships with private sector players to ensure environmentally sustainable and inclusive practices and catalyze investment for sustainable green energy development.

Delivery Expectation

The general roles and responsibilities of the Energy Expert will include:

• Support the Country representative, Africa Regional Director, Energy Global Lead in the planning and execution of energy projects in the country;
• Lead implementation of technical tasks related to design and implementation of off-grid energy systems - renewable energy systems, hybrid systems, storage, transmission, distribution, service, ownership models, governance structures, etc.;
• Identify technical hurdles preventing deployment of renewable energy systems and recommend solutions;
• Support the development of implementable products and solutions; for example, development scheme, tailored policy tools, business model, and so on;
• Review and recommend reform of government policies, laws, and regulations that may be inhibiting commercial deployment of off-grid energy systems;
• Work on pre-feasibility and feasibility analyses of off-grid energy projects applying appropriate energy models;
• Prepare capacity building materials and deliver knowledge sharing workshops both internally and externally;
• To conduct full cost assessments, analyzing and further developing of the business and financial model;
• Analysis of investment barriers (Finance terms offered by banks in terms of interest rate, tenure and need for collaterals);
• Analysis of finance gaps such technical competence of domestic finance institutions to support mini-grid developers, Banks ability to provide project finance instead of corporate finance,
• Banks willingness to engage with Development Finance Institutions (DFSs)  for blended finance facilities to de-risk the mini-grid projects. 

Engagement

The individual shall support ongoing and planned projects such as solar irrigation pumping, mini grids industrial solar parks, and other activities across GGGI Ethiopia country operations by engaging with in-house and external experts/organizations to deliver the project strategy, workplan, and outputs. Some of the project where the energy expert will be engaged are mentioned below:

1. GGGI mini grid project

Building on and complementing existing on-going support in off-/mini-grids activities by other development partners, GGGI is providing support to Government of Ethiopia in creating enabling business environment for promoting RE-based mini-grid power projects. The project is intended to build the intuitional capacity, demonstrate financial viability of mini grids through business modelling, conduct pre-feasibility and feasibility studies and mobilizing green finance for selected projects.

Output/Reporting Requirements/Deliverables: 

Under the overall supervision of the GGGI Country Representative and Energy Team at HQ, the Energy Expert will be responsible for the following key outputs:

Output 1: Initial assessments of current landscape

Output 2: Policy and regulatory gap analysis to determine challenges, and opportunities for mini-grids

Output 3: Pre-feasibility study in eight proposed sites in consultation with GoE (eight selected sites spread across four regions - Amhara, Oromia, SNNP and Somalia)

Output 4: Feasibility study in selected sites based on Pre-feasibility study and in consultation with GoE (maximum of four) 

         2. GGGI Sustainable Solar Irrigation Pumping Systems project

GGGI is supporting Government of Ethiopia in promotion of Solar Irrigation pumping system. Among the renewables, Solar Irrigation Pumping System (SIPS) is the most attractive alternative to address the above stated problem. It is characterized by low operating cost, minimum maintenance, ease of use and most importantly environment friendly. Given the continuous fall in cost of components, SIPS is becoming more economically viable option for water supply for agriculture. SIPS business model becomes more attractive if excess energy during off-season can be fed into the grid. On the other side, alternative options for utilization of the same in off-grid areas should also be analyzed. However, proper policy and infrastructural framework are key for successful implementation of the same regardless of the presence of grid electricity. Solar irrigation has a direct impact on woman empowerment since women are the backbone of rural agriculture in Asia and Africa. Therefore, the GGGI solar irrigation pumping project has significant potential impact on food yield, environment, ground water resource management, gender and of course access to energy.

Output/Reporting Requirements/Deliverables:  Under the overall supervision of the GGGI Country Representative and Energy Team at HQ, the Energy Expert will be responsible for the following key areas:

Output 1: Country Scoping (endorsed by stakeholders)

Output 1.1: Barrier analysis on enabling environment for SIPS in Ethiopia completed;

Output 1.2: Gap identification and country scoping report endorsed by stakeholders.

Output 2: Business Enabling Instruments to be endorsed by stakeholders

Output 2.1: A policy guideline report for Ethiopia is developed;

Output 2.2: One policy instrument including incentive schemes for multisector resource conservation is designed;

Output 2.3: Country specific business model for private sector participation developed;

Output 2.4: Technical design (on-grid, off-grid) either developed/reviewed/recommended;

Output 2.5: Green finance has been mobilized (MoU signed with banks and FIs);

Output 2.6: One pilot project in Ethiopia implemented.

           3. General energy assignments

-  The Energy Expert will work with the HQ and Country teams to identify energy development opportunities where GGGI can be involved;

-  Make a follow up on Rooftop Solar PV in Industrial Parks based on the Adama Feasibility study that was concluded in March 2020;

-  Discuss with GGGI Green Investment Services (GIS) and find together potential investors in rooftop projects planned for Adama and other Industrial Parks;

-  Be in close contact with Danish energy Expert that will be embedded in MoWIE;

-  Establish a strong link between GGGI and MoWIE while identifying more renewable energy priorities to be matched with development partners energy plans.

Qualifications/Experience/Expertise

 QUALIFICATIONS

The candidate should have the following qualifications and educational background.

• Demonstrated skill in stakeholder consultations aim to identify priority RE sectors and options and mechanisms for inclusive financing: opportunism and challenges, and to gather insight into existing relevant policies, initiatives, and projects
• Demonstrated experience with productive use analysis/project design such as solar irrigation, off-grid energy, Solar Irrigation Pumping Systems etc.
• Demonstrated policy experience and skills including preferably tendering processes, standards-setting, and strategy formation;

Academic qualification:

Master’s or PhD degree in energy, renewable energy technology, Rural energy supply or other energy related field with additional relevant in-depth analysis and research expertise.

Experience:

- A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the area of rural energy and renewable energy sources, energy resources management and planning and management of renewable energy related projects;

- Extensive experience in climate related project development in the energy sector;

- Knowledge on the roles of renewable energy resources in addressing climate change impacts;

- Familiarity with the NDC, CRGE Strategy, the Growth and Transformation Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals;

- Strong experience applying energy sector technologies (especially solar pumping, mini grids, and energy storage systems) to policy-related decisions and advice;

- Solid understanding of energy policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations;

- Knowledge of climate financing opportunities and developing financial business models/ spreadsheets;

- Strong analytical skills and ability to efficiently manage a large number of activities simultaneously;

- Demonstrated experience of working with government officials and technical experts, donor representatives and private sector actors;

- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written in English and Amharic language; French will be an added advantage

- Proven capability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.

Corporate Behaviors and Values 

GGGI needs a person who can bring more than knowledge and passion to the role: someone who has the grit and resilience to do this work, someone who is proactive, dynamic and able to work together with minimal supervision. The successful candidate is a skillful team member with an ability to interact within and beyond GGGI, a thoughtful communicator, a deep thinker, and a diplomatic change agent who understands the dynamics and tensions in this kind of diverse, global landscape. The individual should be:

- Ready to anticipate and provide necessary support to the team leader and those who need support

- Able to handle complex multi-stakeholder relationships

- Keen on maintaining a high degree of professional integrity

- Be willing to travel internationally and curious about new environments and new countries

- Able to effectively communicate, listen to others, and create and promote an environment for open communication

- Able to work effectively with other teams of a high degree of cultural/professional diversity.