Policy / Enabling Environment Specialist

Chemonics seeks a Policy/Enabling Environment Specialist for the Power Africa Empower Southern Africa (ESA) Program funded by USAID. ESA is a 5-year regional program that covers South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros and Sao Tome and Principe. The primary purpose of ESA is to increase the availability of, access to, and use of affordable, reliable, sustainable and clean energy in Southern Africa in order to reach measurable development outcomes. Measurable development outcomes include economic growth, reducing poverty, improving livelihoods, and increasing inclusive access to electricity-enabled services in such areas as health, education, sanitation and food security. This position will be based in Pretoria, South Africa. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people and communities around the world.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement strategies to improve the enabling environment for renewable energy investment
• Conduct comprehensive analysis of existing policies, regulations, and legal frameworks related to the energy sector in Southern Africa, identifying gaps, challenges, and opportunities
• Engage with national authorities across the ESA region to co-create innovative solutions to stimulate mini-grid/PUE demand and growth, drawing on the expertise of NRECA and Kügel in best practices and successful policy instruments
• Deliver legal advisory support to agencies in South Africa to continue and deepen energy reforms
• Introduce and promote the AssetCo model and present strategies to enable local financial institutions to enter the space, including preparing proposals for guarantee facilities to the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Green Guarantee Company (GGC)
• Expand the scope of mini-grid development activities and accelerate the development of local ecosystems by extending the AssetCo model across the six most significant off-grid markets (Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe)
• Identify potential regulatory and policy risks impacting project implementation, devising strategies to mitigate these risks and ensure project continuity
• Supervise short-term consultants
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Objective 3 Lead: Energy Sector Investment Lead

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, economics, sustainability, energy policy, or a related field, Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum eight years of experience in the energy sector, with a focus on renewable energy, energy policy, or sustainable development
• Strong knowledge of renewable energy technologies, market dynamics, policy frameworks, and regulatory environments
• Ability to adapt to evolving energy landscapes
• Familiarity promoting gender equality and social inclusion in the energy sector
• Prior experience with managing a team of subject matter experts across multiple countries
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility and integrity
• Relevant computer skills (Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, etc.)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with command of French or Portuguese a plus

How to apply

Please submit an application to [email protected] with the subject line “Policy/Enabling Environment Specialist – ESA Application” by January 30th, 2024. No telephone inquiries, please. Chemonics will contact finalists.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

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