Chief of Party - Power Africa Expansion at Engility Corporation

Requisition ID: 2016-19807
Category: Administrative Services

Job Description

• Engility Corporation, building on IRG’s legacy in international development, is currently seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated USAID-funded energy project in Nigeria.
• The objective of the Nigeria Power Sector Program (NPSP) will be to increase electricity availability and access. This will be done by facilitating transactions and strengthening the enabling environment for private sector investment in the power sector.
• NPSP will address the key constraints to such investment:
  • Lack of liquidity in the sector,
  • Non-commercial distribution companies (Discos),
  • Insufficient transmission capacity,
  • Lack of gas supply,
  • Unexploited renewable energy potential,
  • Incomplete implementation of the transitional electricity market,
  • Overlapping regulation and oversight,
  • Weak institutional capacity, and
  • Lack of clarity regarding roles and responsibilities under new power sector leadership.
• The NPSP will be part of the President’s Power Africa Initiative and as such will be implemented in close coordination with both the USAID Power Africa Trade Africa Coordinator’s Office in Pretoria South Africa and USAID/Nigeria.
• The COP will be responsible for all aspects of project implementation which will include the provision of transaction advisory, technical assistance and capacity development services.

NPSP activities will be organized across four work streams:

• Generation at scale: Increase private and public investment in gas supply, power generation and transmission to increase the MW of capacity available on grid;
• On-grid and off-grid connections: Facilitate additional business and consumer connections to cleaner power supply, primarily through developing the off-grid solar market;
• Unlocking energy potential: Improve the enabling environment to resolve bottlenecks to increase access and availability of electricity and private sector investment and participation;
• Improving sector liquidity: Facilitate distribution loss reduction, increase cost recovery throughout the value chain, and improve access to capital for investments.
• NPSP will build on the Power Africa Initiative’s work in Nigeria and coordinate with other Power Africa implementers working in Nigeria, other USG agencies, and donors.
• It will work closely with key Government Ministries and Agencies including the Vice President’s Office, the Ministries of Power and Finance, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the National Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET), and the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC); Government owned energy companies including the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigerian National Gas Company (NNGC), the Transmission Company of Nigeria, and Government owned power generation companies (Gencos); privately owned gas producers (international oil companies and domestic producers) and privatized or concessioned Gencos and Discos.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Oversee technical, operational and financial aspects of the project implementation, in consultation with and with direction from the USAID Contracting Officer Representative;
• Direct the efforts of local and international experts and subcontractors implementing project activities;
• Coordinate with other USAID implementing partners, USG programs and donors, including among others, U.S. and international export credit agencies, AfDB, Wold Bank, DFID, GIZ, JICA.;
• Maintain productive working relationships with project beneficiaries and private sector partners vital to the success of NPSP;
• Provide leadership in at least one of the following technical areas;
  • Infrastructure transactions (i.e. project finance, PPPs, privatizations, IPOs, etc.)
  • Power project development (natural gas or renewables based generation and/or transmission infrastructure)
  • Power sector planning, management and/or reform
  • Regulatory and institutional strengthening
  • Utility performance management and commercialization
• Lead project planning, financial and budget management;
• Represent NPSP as the lead project spokesperson and actively participate in high level working group meetings, conferences, and training programs.
• Manage project performance and oversee reporting of all project activities and results to USAID and government stakeholders.
• This is a contingent position based on funding from the customer.

Minimum Tangible Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience implementing public or private sector energy assistance programs in the areas of: power project development or transactions, power sector planning and reform, policy and regulatory strengthening; or utility commercialization.
• Proven management and leadership of high profile, large scale-international donor-funded programs with experience in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting.
  • At least 5 years successfully managing project budgets over $5million per year.
  • At least 5 years managing full time project staffs of at least 15 individuals.
• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant field
• Experience building the capacity of regional, national, and local institutions, and private sector organizations
• Evidence of excellent intercultural communication skills and proven experience in facilitating dialogue, coordination, and collaboration among the energy industry, financial sector, donors, and government
• Ability to establish solid working relationships with high-level/senior national and local government officials, the private sector and civil society
• Strong analytical and writing skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and spoken English

Preferred Qualifications

• Former Chief of Party position held on a USAID program, or equivalent Management/Leadership experience on another donor funded program
• Prior work experience in the Sub-Saharan African energy sector and understanding of clean and renewable energy best practices in the African context preferred.