Technical Manager at Distributed Renewable Energy Enhancement Facility (DREEF)

Job Summary

• DREEF seeking to appoint a Technical Manager to lead the execution of the technical and engineering workstream within the project development pillar of the DREEF. Working jointly with DRE Project Developers, the Technical Manager will provide technical leadership for the timely design of ‘shovel-ready’ DRE projects that will have minimal to zero issues in Lender Technical Due Diligence Criteria1 and preparation of all technical documentation required by potential local currency financiers while ensuring strict adherence to the agreed project development process. 

Job Details

Duties and Responsibilities & Duties

• Review and assess the Lender Technical Due Diligence Criteria (toolkit) and incorporate them into the applicable standard operating procedures for the DREEF’s technical assistance support criteria and methodology. 
• Work closely alongside and interface with the technical counterpart officer at InfraCredit to ensure symmetry of information, knowledge exchange, and alignment on information/output requirements that meet project finance lenders' bankability requirements. 
• Lead the design of DRE projects including undertaking a geospatial assessment of sites selected for mini-grids, demand modelling, incorporation of productive use of energy, distribution network planning and design, generation system design, and financial modelling following industry best practices as enshrined in the agreed project development process. 
• Conduct and lead the technical team on feasibility studies and technical assessments of projects to be supported by DREEF. 
• Lead the Technical team to analyze operational data from DRE projects supported by the DREEF to assess performance and identify areas for improvement. 
• Provide technical expertise in the structuring of projects, including the development of technical specifications for procurement and contracting. 
• Supervise the preparation of detailed reports and presentations for clients, stakeholders, and internal teams. 
• Collaborate with the project finance team to ensure that financial models accurately reflect project specifications, costs, and revenue projections that support project investment decisions. 
• Manage the preparation of technical documentation required for project approvals, due diligence, and compliance with regulatory and investor requirements. 
• Engage with project stakeholders, including developers, co-investors, and government entities, to build partnerships and expand the network of the DREEF. 
• Lead knowledge management activities on all technical workstreams including documenting lessons learned from joint project development activities, recommending revision(s) to the project development process based on lessons learned, and providing technical training and support to internal and external teams and partners. 
• Lead and mentor the technical team, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development. 
• Participate in industry conferences and workshops to represent DREEF and expand our network in the renewable energy industry, as well as stay abreast of technological advancements in the renewable energy sector to identify opportunities for innovation and efficiency improvements in the project development process of the DREEF. 

Expected Output 

• A comprehensive feasibility report outlining the project's technical, economic, and financial viability. 
• A concise technical project summary of the project, including key findings and recommendations 
• An accurate determination of system capacity to meet current and future demand, considering factors like load growth, productive use of energy (PUE) etc 
• Detailed and comprehensive engineering drawings for all system components and infrastructure including civil works, distribution KMZ file, site layout plan, powerhouse drawing, ground-mount structure, customer connection and termination drawing etc. 
• A well-structured Project implementation plan for project execution, including timelines, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies. 
• Proposed mini-grid power plant location conforming with optimal technical standards including soil texture/component, distance from community or users etc. 
• Identification of a skilled team for project implementation. 
• Detailed and implementable standard operating procedures (SOPs) for mini-grid implementation within the developers existing structure. 
• OEM selection confirms with technical, legal and investor standards for deployment. 
• Establish a framework for monitoring and evaluating the project's performance and impact. 
• All technical documentation required for regulatory approval including NERC, EIA, NEMSA are timely and accurately prepared. 
• A PPA reflective of the accepted technical design and standard. 
• Documentation provided serves as an accurate input to Lender Technical Due Diligence Criteria with a minimum of 95% accuracy and achieves financial close. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, renewable energy, energy systems, or a related technical discipline; a Master’s degree or relevant professional certifications is highly desirable. 
• Minimum of 10 to 15 years of technical/engineering experience with strong exposure to distributed renewable energy projects including mini-grids for off-grid and under-grid electrification. 
• Technical knowledge of renewable energy technologies, including but not limited to solar, wind, hydro, and biomass energy systems. 
• In-depth understanding of mini-grid system design, system sizing, component specifications, site selection and demand assessment 
• Strong technical expertise in electrical systems, renewable energy technologies, and project management. 
• Proven track record of successfully managing and delivering distributed renewable energy projects from conception through to financial close and operational launch. 
• Experience in conducting and overseeing technical feasibility studies for DRE projects, including site assessments, resource evaluations, technology selection, and financial modelling. 
• Proven track record of successfully implementing mini-grid projects, preferably in developing countries. 
• Experience in developing and delivering training programs related to technical aspects of DRE projects. 
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the capacity to effectively collaborate with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders. 
• Proficiency in project management, with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously and ensure timely delivery of technical objectives. 
• Strong leadership qualities and the ability to inspire and guide teams towards achieving technical goals. 
• Proficient in relevant industry-standard software and tools for system design and project management e.g., HOMER, QGIS, CAD tools etc. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including expertise in MS Office suite. 
• A strong team player with a proven capacity to work independently.