Consultant, Team Leader (International expert) - Energy Support Program (NESP III) at Mercy Corps

The Program / Department / Team

• Energy 4 Impact is Mercy Corps’ platform for shaping market systems in clean energy access.
• We work at the intersection of policy and institutions, enterprise growth and finance, ecosystem coordination, and evidence and market intelligence.
• Our comparative advantage lies in blending the advisory capabilities of a specialist firm with the geographic presence and community reach of an NGO.
• We translate programme investment into strategic, market-credible solutions: building the conditions under which private investment flows into previously high-risk energy access markets.

Purpose / Project Description

• Energy 4 Impact is seeking an internationally experienced Team Leader to support the Nigerian Energy Support Programme(NESP III) in the development of off grid renewable energy projects.

Consultant Objectives

• The Team Leader will provide overall strategic and leadership to a pool of technical and transactional advisory experts.
• This senior expert will guide a multidisciplinary team, ensure high quality delivery of advisory services, and work closely with public and private sector partners to strengthen enabling environments for renewable energy deployment.
• The role requires deep sector expertise, proven leadership in complex donor funded programs, and extensive international experience.

Consultant Activities
The Consultant will undertake the following responsibilities:

• Provide overall responsibility and direction for all advisory packages delivered under the assignment.
• Ensure coherence, complementarity, and alignment of contractor services with other project activities at both national and local levels.
• Support GIZ in refining and adapting project strategies, contributing to evaluations, and preparing for potential follow on phases.
• Provide managerial leadership to a multidisciplinary team of experts, including identifying needs for short term assignments, planning and managing inputs, and supporting technical delivery.
• Oversee quality assurance for all outputs, ensuring timely,high quality deliverables that meet client standards.
• Ensure coordinated, efficient, and results oriented implementation.
• Lead the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of capacity development measures for government institutions, utilities, regulators, and other local partners.
• Integrate cross cutting themes—such as gender equality, inclusion, and climate resilience—into all advisory and capacity building activities.
• Ensure that monitoring procedures are systematically applied and that results inform adaptive management.
• Oversee financial planning and ensure appropriate use of funds in close consultation with the client.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, administrative, and reporting requirements, including regular progress reporting in line with agreed deadlines.

Consultant Deliverables
The Consultant will deliver the following:

• A consolidated advisory strategy and delivery plan outlining the overall approach, priorities, sequencing, and integration of all advisory packages.
• Comprehensive workplan, approved by the donor,covering all contractor inputs, expert assignments, timelines, and inter dependencies.
• Refined and updated project strategies developed jointly with GIZ, reflecting lessons learned, contextual changes, and emerging opportunities.
• Contributions to MidTerm Reviews, Evaluations, and Follow On Phase Concept Notes, including analytical inputs and recommendations.
• A team co-ordination and management plan updated regularly and detailing roles, responsibilities,short term expert needs, and deployment schedules.
• Regular progress reports (monthly, quarterly, or as agreed)summarizing achievements, challenges, risks, and next steps.
• Quality-assured technical deliverables submitted on time and meeting all client requirements.
• Results- oriented implementation reports and progress dashboards demonstrating progress toward outcomes and alignment with project objectives.
• Periodic learning and adaptation briefs showing how monitoring insights inform decision making and adjustments.
• Financial plans and budget forecasts,prepared regularly and inconsultation with the client.
• Financial compliance and expenditure reports (to accompanythe regular progress reports)ensuring transparent and appropriate use of funds.

Timeframe / Schedule:

• This assignment will take no longerthan48daysbetweenMay 2026 to December 2027, subject to performance and fund availability throughout this period.
• The consultant will report to the Senior Technical Analyst, Energy 4 Impact.

The Consultant will work closely with:

• The MEL and Reporting Expert, other technical and finance experts in the project, experts from implementing partner,the government counterparts, the finance and operations team,

Required Experience & Skills
Education:

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent, e.g., German Diploma) in Engineering relevant to energy, renewable energy, power systems, or energy economics / markets.

Languages:

• Excellent command of English (C1 level, CEFR).

Professional Experience:

• General: Minimum of 12 years professional experience in the power sector, working with both public and private entities. At least 3 of these years must have been acquired within the last 5 years.
• Specific: At least 10 years of experience in renewable energy project development, 5 of which in rural electrification projects.
• Leadership & management: Minimum 10 years of management experience leading teams of three or more people in projects, companies, or organizations. 5 of which involved managing teams within donor-funded projects.
• International and regional experience. At least 5 years of professional experience in two countries outside the West Arica region, with at least one year spent in each country
• Regional experience: Minimum 8 years of professional experience in West Africa, 4 of which in Nigeria
• At least 8 years of experience working on development cooperation projects.

Team Engagement and Effectiveness:

• Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate.
• By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation.
• We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.
• We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.