Energy Market Analyst and Business Developer at Palladium Group

Background
Propcom Maikarfi (PM) is a marketdriven programme funded by UK aid which aims to reduce poverty in northern Nigeria by intervening in markets that matter the most to poor households. Partnering with the private sector and government agencies, Propcom Maikarfi uses a ‘making markets work for the poor (M4P)’ approach to create systemic changes in agricultural and rural markets in northern Nigeria so that poor people get a better deal for their businesses and have access to vital goods and services.

During its first phase which ran from 2012 to 2017, Propcom Maikarfi raised the incomes of 628,000 poor men and women in northern Nigeria by a cumulative NGN 9 billion. The programme also stimulated more than NGN17.6 billion in private sector investment into the rural economy. Now in its 3year extension phase which runs till March 2021, PM is focused on postconflict market development and climate smart agriculture initiatives in 9 states of north (Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Taraba and Yobe), as well as continuing markets for the poor interventions in the DFID partner states of Jigawa, Kano, and Kaduna.

During this phase, the programme aims to increase the incomes of an additional 350,000 rural poor people by 2021.Early in 2018, PM supported a private sector partner by investing to setup fabrication sites in Jigawa and Adamawa states and facilitating awareness creation by developing a marketing strategy and conducting marketing campaigns (radio jingles, market storms and demonstrations, talk shows and cooking demonstrations) for improved efficiency cook stoves in rural households of Northern Nigeria. The aim was to provide a sustainable solution to the energy needs of rural households, contribute to the mitigation of Green House Gases (GHGs) and reduce deforestation.

These fabrication facilities have been up and running and the partner has been able to engage with the market to produce and sell stoves, either subsidized or at full commercial price.Till date, only about 10,000 stoves have been sold (over 80% at a subsidized price to rural households). Assumptions regarding uptake of improved efficiency cook stoves by target beneficiaries have proved incorrect; the stoves produced by PM’s partner are amongst the cheapest on the market, yet the rate of uptake remain low. Also, there are indications that awareness is relatively low, and the targets may not be the very rural poor who would rather utilize materials within their community to improve fuel efficiency.

At this point, PM wants to undertake an evaluation around who should be target beneficiaries, assess the business viability and marketing strategies for reaching the poor with improved efficiency cook stoves; and seek multiple private sector partnerships to drive the intervention across programme states.

Purpose

• PM is seeking a market analyst with business development experience in the energy sector to conduct a market analysis to identify the market opportunities and potential partners for the supply and marketing of energysaving cook stoves in the 9 Northern states of Nigeria.

Activities

• Review PM current strategy
• Map out producers and suppliers of improved/clean cook stoves in Nigeria; brands, product features, price, their business model (or distribution chain and reach, promotional activities)and the perceived or known end users of the products
• Sample major state distributors to determine the level of awareness for improved cook stoves and their customer profile
• Identify the market segment with the most potential for purchasing improved/clean cook stoves – middle class, urban poor, rural poor, catering businesses, corner shops, etc
• Estimate the market size and growth opportunities for improved/clean cook stoves and its byproducts
• Determine other existing opportunities for addressing the energy needs of rural households through marketing solutions (4Ps +C).

Outputs

• Market Analysis report containing market size and growth potential for cook stoves and its byproducts, and other opportunities for addressing energy needs of rural households other than the cookstoves
• Recommended customer segments for improved cook stoves and options of business models to deploy
• Contact list of improved/clean cook stoves importers/fabricators and their business model
• List of those fabricators and importers that have indicated interest to coinvest with PM in target states

Duration of the Assignment

• This assessment is expected to be undertaken within 30days, before the end of March 2019.

Selection Criteria:

• The organisation will be assessed on expertise/competence, relevant experience, fee rate, and consultant/company profile.

Method of Assessment:

• There will be an evaluation event, and individuals/Agencies will be assessed based on their ability to provide the plan of how they intend to carryout task as stated under the purpose and quality of their proposal.

Required Qualification and Experience

• 3 to 4 years experience in Business Development and Analysis
• Demonstrable experience in development consultancy and providing alternate environmentally friendly energy solutions
• Computer literate with excellent communication skills
• Experience in providing succinct market analysis report
• Ability to pull a team together in order to work effectively.
• Ability to work within the specified time frame.
• Proven understanding regarding dynamics in the energy sector of Nigeria