Project Manager at SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

About the Project

To achieve Vision 2030 and the target of universal access by 2020, the Government of Kenya (GoK) seeks to close the access gap by providing electricity services to remote, underserved areas of the country. With US$150 million of financing from The World Bank, the GoK intends to deliver the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project for Underserved Counties (K-OSAP), to support the use of solar technology to drive electrification of households, enterprises, community facilities, and water pumps.

SNV will be tendering for the Facilities Manager role for “Component 2: Stand-alone Solar Systems and Clean Cooking Solutions for Households” (US$47m), anticipated to start in 2018 and to run for 4 years and 9 months. This component is split in a Debt Facility and a Results-Based Financing Facility for stand-alone solar systems and clean cooking solutions for households. To develop and manage all procurement under this programme, SNV Kenya is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Project Manager.

Overview of the Position

You will design and deliver sound management of the RBF and Debt Facility. You will develop RBF and Debt Facility implementation manuals that will cover the procedures and main criteria for competitive selection. In the roll-out phase, you will prepare for its launch and initiate RBF award windows. Finally, you will perform day-to-day management of the RBF and Debt Facility operations.

Responsibilities

The Project Manager shall:

• Serve as the Team Leader for the overall Facility
• Understand the design and lead the implementation of the Fund;
• Lead, manage and oversee all technical and managerial aspects related to Finance, Grants Management, and other financing instruments;
• Provide high quality leadership, strategic and managerial oversight, due diligence and administration of the Fund financing instruments;
• Design and Implement effective management oversight methods and techniques to monitor progress on sub-grant implementation;
• Ensure timely financial reporting and provide supervisory oversight of the budget to ensure timely spending;
• Conduct annual performance appraisals and ongoing supervision grants and financing mechanisms.
• Ensure successful operationalization, launch, and administration of the RBF and Debt Facility. This will include the activities listed below:
  • Preparation of RBF and Debt Facility implementation manuals
  • Coordination of RBF Facility roll-out;
  • Ongoing RBF and Debt Facility operations management;

Candidate profile

• Advanced University Degree in finance, international development, management or related field.
• A relevant post-graduate qualification in an energy related field will be an advantage.

Desired Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years or more in managing large donor or government funded programs
• Demonstrated experience in managing funds, preferably in promotion of off-grid renewable energy
• Experience in, and understanding of, the off-grid solar market in Sub Saharan Africa, ideally including PAYG solar required
• Experience in, and understanding of, the clean cooking market in Sub Saharan Africa desirable
• Experience in, and understanding of, the Kenyan market (experience in the Underserved Counties is desirable though not essential) strongly preferred
• A track record of structuring and managing RBF facilities aimed at market stimulation, ideally facilities funded by multilateral development banks and/or development finance institutions and/or bi-lateral development assistance agencies or;
• A track record of providing debt financing to rural/off-grid home appliance distribution businesses and/or consumer finance businesses (including, for instance, MFIs)
• Demonstrated understanding of success factors of for-profit businesses;
• Experience managing reporting relationships with government stakeholders and large development finance organizations is highly desirable;

Desired start date:

September 2018

Duration of contract:

Three (3) years, with possibility of contract extension subject to satisfactory performance