Technical Advisor at GIZ Nigeria

Background
GIZ. Solutions that work.

• As a service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, we are dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world.
• GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, and peace and security.
• The diverse expertise of our federal enterprise is in demand around the globe – from the German Government, European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector and governments of other countries.
• We work with businesses, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity.
• Our main commissioning party is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The registered offices of GIZ are in Bonn and Eschborn.
• Our approximately 23,500 employees, almost 70 percent of whom are national personnel, work in a round 120 countries (July 2020)
• GIZ has worked in Nigeria since 1974. From 2004, GIZ has maintained a country office in the capital city Abuja. Currently 361 national and 66 international employees, 19 regional staff, 4 integrated specialists and 3 development workers are working in the country (June 2020).

The Project

• The Project Development Programme is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) within the scope of the German Energy Solutions Initiative and commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).
• The Project Development Programme supports German companies that are entering new markets in emerging and developing economies. The markets in these countries are extremely promising and dynamic, but at the same time present significant challenges to companies in the form of political instability, insufficient access to financing or a lack of qualified employees.
• In cooperation with other GIZ projects and local German Chambers of Commerce abroad (the AHKs), the Project Development Programme develops solutions to advance market development, establish partnerships between German and local enterprises, and promote climate friendly energy solutions.
• Nigeria has faced years of unstable grid supply and a great share of businesses rely on diesel generators that massively increase their operational cost.
• The current status of the market for RET in Nigeria shows development in the sector of utility scale solar photovoltaics (PV), while reference projects for commercial and industrial clients are also developing.
• Due to the rise in PV Projects in the C&I, humanitarian sector and Agriculture (Agri-PV) sectors, the Project Development Programme is looking to hire a technical advisor to support on development of PV projects mainly for commercial and industrial clients but also for humanitarian settings and further green innovative technologies.
• Currently the Project Development Programme works in 18 countries in South-East Asia, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and in the Middle East. The Nigeria section of the Project Development Programme currently employs two local staff and operates offices in Abuja and Lagos.

Responsibilities and Task

Responsibilities:
The Project Development Programme is looking for a Technical Advisor who will work together with the Project Development Team in Nigeria. The Technical Advisor will be based in Abuja with the following core responsibilities:

• Early-stage project development services for solar PV solutions, including site audits and load measurement of the electric consumption at specific production facilities.
• The identification of project opportunities, initiation of project development, contact management of German and local project partners as well as knowledge management all within the field of renewable energies.
• Collaboration with private as well as with public stakeholders
• Support the global team with co-working on innovative PV fields such as Agri-PV or similar.
• Support with RET project development in humanitarian settings in collaboration with the global team.

Task
The Technical Advisor is expected to also perform the following tasks besides his/her core responsibilities:

Project Development:

• Compiles information on renewable energy market, the energy legal framework business opportunities in Nigeria.
• Proactively builds networks within industry and identifies project opportunities and future project partners with promising ideas and development potential.
• Acts as a facilitator for RE and EE project development: Supports and advises stakeholders and potential partners in the process of generating, structuring and formulating project ideas and concepts.
• Conducts engineering site audits to collect and verify structural and electrical data (number of connection points, current supply situation, description of energy mix, energy consumption and load, tariff structure, equipment in use, outages and resulting electricity costs, pattern of operation) as well as other site related information like roof quality and accessibility, availability of roof (orientation and inclination) as well as ground spaces (shading).
• In cases of insufficient load data, management of load measurements or load modeling necessary for further technical and financial simulations. Must be discussed with and approved by the GIZ PDP Country Manager, Bonn.
• Works closely with PDP Country manager in Bonn and third-party consultant in the design of solar PV systems and cash-flow modeling in the commercial and industrial sector using selected simulation tools.
• Works closely with local banks, auditors and regulatory authorities.
• Presentation of results to client (local off-taker), with the goal to convince the client to option for the proposed system.
• Supports on technical and financial tender evaluation, where needed.
• Manages administrative procedures within the GIZ country office, such as contracts with third parties, travel bookings, visa procedures and others.

Coordination:

• Plans, coordinates and documents meetings, workshops, seminars and other project activities.
• Organizes, prepares and implements professional information and expert workshops.
• Manages and aassists short-term experts / consultants assigned to projects/programmes in completing their tasks (e.g. consultancy for load measurements).
• Supports in implementation of business trips organized by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (AHK), where necessary for German renewable energy companies to Nigeria.
• Compiles an overview of programme activities, deadlines etc. as discussed in team meetings and presents this regularly during the meetings.

Implementation of Project Activities:

• Implements activities outlined in the existing operation plan and to the satisfaction of PDP and the private partners.
• Assisting in activities in line with the local collaborations with industry associations, humanitarian associations or agricultural associations.

Communication, Knowledge Management and Monitoring:

• Represents PDP Nigeria in regional conferences, workshops, seminars and relevant events in collaboration with the project coordinator.
• Identifies Nigeria-specific tenders in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency, which are relevant to German companies.
• Prepares PR contributions, identifies appropriate distribution channels in case of significant events, and compiles articles for newsletters.
• Assists with PR work for the programme.
• Organises and updates programme documentation in the data management system.
• Continuously updates the local contact database.
• Updates information on project progress, documents and reports regularly on the internal monitoring platform.
• Assists with report writing for all project activities undertaken

Other Duties/Additional Tasks:

• Carries out other tasks at the request of the superior.

Required Qualifications, Competencies and Experience
Qualification:

• University Degree (MSc, BSc.), in Energy, Engineering, Renewable Energy Economics or related field.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of working experience in the renewable energy industry or energy engineering industry, preferably RET project development, business development, market development, or energy sector development.
• Knowledge in the area of renewable energy and energy efficiency; knowledge in site audits and specifically performing load measurements is an advantage.
• In-depth experience in project development (renewables or other industry) is a prerequisite.
• Knowledge in the area of project finance is an asset.

Other Experiences and Skills:

• Existing network within the RE and/or EE industry and/or any other industry with high energy consumption, especially the C&I sector, is a plus.
• Excellent networking and communication skills.
• A good team player who is willing to take on responsibility and work independently.
• Strong organizational skills, administrative and event organization experience is a plus.
• Highly motivated to work in a multicultural environment.
• Proven ability to multi-task across various planning and implementation process within a highly demanding and competitive environment.
• Willingness to travel abroad and to project sites across the country.
• Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written, German would be an asset.

Salary
According to GIZ Salary Scale for Band 4