REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR – Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Project Description

The German Energy Solutions Initiative was launched by the German Bundestag in 2002 to make a significant contribution to climate change mitigation by promoting German quality products in the field of renewable energy technologies (RET). Support has since been provided to small and medium-sized German enterprises (SMEs) in the fields of renewable energy (RE), energy efficiency (EE), smart grids and storage technologies as they seek to position themselves on international markets. The Project Development Programme (PDP) for developing countries and emerging economies is a major pillar of the German Energy Solutions Initiative along with the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad’s Business Trip Programme, the German Energy Agency’s Renewable Energy Solutions Programme and the Foreign Trade Fair Programme. PDP is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

In recent years, companies in Botswana have faced increased electricity cost and are suffering from rising price of fossil fuel. The current status of the market for RET in Botswana shows significant development in the sector of utility scale projects in PV solar, while reference projects for commercial and industrial (C&l) clients exist only marginally. Reasons are that potential end consumers and companies either lack awareness of RE applications and their feasibility or have been hesitant to invest due to insufficient access to financing options. Furthermore, lacking experience of local project developers for C&l-sector projects is a barrier. Therefore, PDP is looking to hire a Regional Development Advisor to develop the PV market for commercial and industrial clients.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR

Job Title:    Regional Development Advisor

Job Category: Professional, Band 4

Location:    Gaborone, Botswana

Project:    Project Development Programme (PDP)

Duration:    immediately until 31.03.2023

Key Responsibilities;

• Early stage project development services for solar PV solutions, including site audits and load measurement of the electric consumption at specific production facilities.
• The identification of project opportunities, initiation of project development, contact management of German and local project partners as well as knowledge management all within the field of renewable energies.
• Collaboration with private as well as with public stakeholders.

Specific Tasks:

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Project Development

• Compiles information on renewable energy market, the energy legal framework business opportunities in Botswana;
• Proactively builds networks within industry and identifies project opportunities and future project partners with promising ideas and development potential
• Acts as a facilitator for RE and EE project development: Supports and advises stakeholders and potential partners in the process of generating, structuring and formulating project ideas and concepts.
• Conducts engineering site audits to collect and verify structural and electrical data (number of connection points, current supply situation, description of energy mix, energy consumption and load, tariff structure, equipment in use, outages and resulting electricity costs, pattern of operation) as well as other site related information like roof quality and accessibility, availability of roof (orientation and inclination) as well as ground spaces (shading)
• Works closely with PDP Country manager in Bonn and third-party consultant in the design of solar PV systems and cash-flow modeling in the commercial and industrial sector using selected simulation tools
• Works closely with local banks, auditors and regulatory authorities
• Presentation of results to client (local off-taker), with the goal to convince the client to opt for the proposed system.
• Supports on technical and financial tender evaluation, where needed.
• Manages administrative procedures within the GIZ country office, such as contracts with third parties, travel bookings, visa procedures and others

Coordination

• Plans, coordinates and documents meetings, workshops, seminars and other project activities;
• Organizes, prepares and implements professional information and expert workshops;
• Manages and assists short-term experts / consultants assigned to projects/programmes in completing their tasks (e.g. consultancy for load measurements)
• Supports in implementation of business trips organized by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (AHK), where necessary for German renewable energy companies to Botswana;
• Compiles an overview of programme activities, deadlines etc. as discussed in team meetings and presents this regularly during the meetings.

Implementation of project activities

• Implements activities outlined in the existing PDP operation plan and to the satisfaction of PDP and the private partners.
• Assists in activities in line with the PDP collaborations with industry associations.

Communication, knowledge management and monitoring

• Represents PDP Botswana in regional conferences, workshops, seminars and relevant events in collaboration with the project coordinator.
• Identifies Botswana -specific tenders in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency, which are relevant to German companies.
• Prepares PR contributions, identifies appropriate distribution channels in case of significant PDP events, and compiles articles for newsletters.
• Assists with PR work for the programme.
• Organises and updates programme documentation in the data management system.
• Continuously updates the PDP Botswana’s contact database.
• Updates information on project progress, documents and reports regularly on the PDP monitoring platform.
• Assists with report writing for all project activities undertaken

Requirements:

Qualification

• University Degree in Energy, Engineering, Economics or related field Professional experience
• At least 3 years of working experience in industry or engineering, preferably in project development, business development, market development, or energy sector.
• Knowledge in the area of renewable energy and energy efficiency; knowledge on side audits and specifically performing load measurements is an advantage.
• In-depth experience in project development (renewables or other industry) is a prerequisite.
• Existing network within the RE and/or EE industry and/or any other industry with high energy consumption is a plus.

Other knowledge, additional competences

• Excellent networking skills.
• Strong organizational skills, administrative and event organization experience is a plus.
• Highly motivated to work in a multicultural environment.
• Willingness to travel abroad and to project sites across the country.
• Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written