Natural Gas Sector Expert at ICF International

Job Description:

ICF International is seeking a full-time Natural Gas Sector Expert for the upcoming U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria Power Sector Program (NPSP) based in Lagos or Abuja, Nigeria. The Power Expert will work closely with the Senior Natural Gas Expert and will be responsible for supporting program design and management, supporting the development of natural gas sector activities and working closely with various Nigerian electricity stakeholders to meet program outcomes on time, within scope, and within budget. The Expert will provide technical support in natural gas sector planning, assessment of the availability and price of natural gas for use in power generation, and commercial arrangements for gas supply to a power plant, and is expected to identify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely manner, and suggest appropriate program adjustments. Applicants must be able to demonstrate prior experience working in Nigeria or the West Africa region.

Basic Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in natural gas sector planning, strategy, and development
• Knowledge of gas supply and demand outlook for west Africa, including sources of gas such as African production and liquefied natural gas (LNG)
• Ability to develop excel spreadsheets to analyze supply and demand forecasts, test alternative scenarios, costs of production, processing, transportation, and distribution
• Ability to interpret reports on gas supply and demand in Africa
• An understanding of gas sales and purchase agreements, including LNG
• An understanding of gas pipeline service agreements
• Ability to assess commercially viable gas supply options for power generation
• Experience working with national power agencies and energy commissions
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Economics, Energy, Operations Research, Environmental Science, and/or Science or related field
• 5+ years relevant experience in the West Africa region power sector planning and management
• Experience working with a range of program partners, including government agencies, regulatory bodies, the private sector, NGOs, civil society, etc.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Power Sector Expertise – familiarity with power sector planning processes, energy modeling & tools, transmission and distribution analysis, power procurement tender process, and electrification strategies including off-grids and micro-grids
• Capacity building expertise in transmission and distribution, renewable energy resources, and energy efficiency
• Experience in power plant operations and management
• 3+ years of regional/ international experience in energy sector programs
• Master’s Degree in Engineering, Economics, Energy, Operations Research, Environmental Science, and/or Science or related field
• Familiarity with the political, economic, social, and cultural context of working in Southern Africa
• Experience with an international contractor or NGO Professional Skills:
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision making capabilities
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Sound business ethics, including the protection of proprietary and confidential information