🇸🇱 Job Vacancy @ The Energising Development Programme Sierra Leone (EnDev) – Energy Advisor

Job Description

Overview

The Energising Development Programme Sierra Leone (EnDev) is an energy programme with the objective of increasing access to affordable modern energy services. It is a global initiative in more than 20 countries that GIZ is implementing on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Donor countries are Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland. EnDev has been active in Sierra Leone since more than 10 years, cooperating with government institutions, national and local non-governmental organization, donors and the private sector.

In Sierra Leone, the EnDev (EnDev-Core) programme consists of two components

1. a) access to electricity through Pico PV, solar home systems
2. b) access to modern cooking systems through energy-efficient cookstoves, sustainable biomass production to avoid deforestation including efficient charcoal production.

Moreover, the project has been commissioned to implement the “Transformational Energy Use for Sierra Leone – phase 1” (TEUSL-1) on behalf of the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

TEUSL 1 has a distinct focus on productive use of (renewable) energy (PUE).

The present position will support all EnDev activities (EnDev-Core & EnDev-TEUSL1) and will be based in Freetown, with regular visits to the regional EnDev office in Kenema.

The position comprises the following:

• Responsibilities

The Energy Advisor

• Manages the commissions which are assigned to him by the Implementation Manager
• Works closely with the EnDev Team from acquisition, planning, costing, procurement, through implementation to closure of the commissions.
• Collaborates with project stakeholders to define clear objectives and strategies for promoting renewable energy use, incl. productive use of electricity in off-grid communities.
• Supports, monitors and quality checks contractors (consultants, installers, suppliers) who are engaged by EnDev to implement activities in the field.
• Support with administrative tasks..
• Coordinates end users regarding solar items and provide them with orientation and other technical training.
• Secures timeliness, respect to GIZ rules and discipline within the EnDev Team.
• Prepares and submits progress reports to project stakeholders, including findings, challenges, and recommendations – to be done in coordination with EnDev Team and Implementation Manager.

• Tasks

• Technical 

The Energy Advisor

• Collects information and data on renewable energy systems for testing or research analysis.
• Conducts needs assessments to identify potentials for renewable energy (RE) and the productive use of these in target communities.
• Assess the existing electricity infrastructure and recommend necessary upgrades or modifications.
• Research and assess appropriate technologies and equipment (e.g., machinery, appliances) for renewable energy applications but also productive use of RE.
• Provides recommendations on the selection and procurement of equipment.
• Provides technical opinion and advice to consultants and partners engaged by EnDev to implement PUE activities of all sorts.

• Training and Support 

The Energy Advisor

• Analyses local markets to identify opportunities and challenges related to productive use of electricity.
• Evaluate the demand for electric-powered products and services within the target communities.
• Develop training programs and materials for local community members, entrepreneurs, and businesses on utilizing electricity for income-generating activities.
• Facilitate training workshops and knowledge transfer sessions.
• Supports, monitors and quality-checks consultants, installers and implementing partner organizations engaged by EnDev to promote PUE in the field.
• Establish and nurture partnerships with relevant organizations, government agencies, and local community leaders.
• Liase with financial institutions to facilitate access to financing options for electrification and productive use projects
• Provide basic training package to end users or partners when the need arises.
• Provide technical assistance remotely

• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

The Energy Advisor

• Develops a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impact of the initiative.
• Regularly collect and analyse data to track progress and make necessary adjustments
• Keep track and take note of any known maintenance need.
• Provide technical specification to colleagues and procurement for buying of solar products and spear part.
• Supports the appropriate data insertion into the EnDev M&E Database (TEUSL, Core).

• Other Duties / Additional tasks

The Energy Advisor

• Assists other experts, if necessary, also as translator if any local language is spoken
• Secure soft and hard copies of relevant document
• Follow-up on all technical requests from EnDev partners as instructed by the Implementation Manager
• Continue with the filing system of both soft and hard copy of Documents.
• Performs any other duties and tasks at the request of the Implementation Manager
• Required qualifications, competences, and experience

Qualifications 

• A degree in a relevant field (e.g., electrical engineering, renewable energy, rural development).

Professional experience

• At least 5 years’ work experience in a comparable position with references

Other knowledge, additional competences

• Very good knowledge of English and local languages
• Sensitivity in handling internal documents and information
• Demonstrated experience in off-grid electrification, renewable energy, and productive use projects.
• Strong knowledge of local communities and cultural sensitivities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Project management and coordination experience.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Very good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software, phone, email, internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office, Access or another database programme)
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management

Employment form 1st January 2025 till 31st December 2025 with option for extension.

Mode of Application:

Suitable candidates are invited to apply not later than 30.11.2024 to the email address [email protected]

Only applicants shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.

GIZ-Sierra Leone is an equal-opportunity employer, and therefore women are strongly encouraged to apply.