Chemonics seeks an Energy Sector Investment Lead for the USAID Empower Southern Africa (ESA) project. ESA is a 5-year regional program that covers South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros and Sao Tome and Principe. The primary purpose of ESA is to increase the availability of, access to, and use of affordable, reliable, sustainable and clean energy in Southern Africa in order to reach measurable development outcomes. Measurable development outcomes include economic growth, reducing poverty, improving livelihoods, and increasing inclusive access to electricity-enabled services in such areas as health, education, sanitation and food security. This position will be based in Pretoria, South Africa. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people and communities around the world.

Responsibilities include:

• Partner with local banks to lower upfront costs for distributed RE for residential customers and small and medium enterprises in the region
• Build new networks or expand existing ones to better connect investors and lenders to appropriate projects
• Streamline environmental approval and licensing processes to attract investment and accelerate generation projects throughout the region
• Capture opportunities in new technologies for RE generation and storage across the region
• Expand scale of mini-grid, PUE, and small-scale generation projects through propagation of asset management companies
• Expand the participation of Southern Africa region in voluntary carbon markets
• Ensure “one team” approach with consortium partner Cresco to deliver technical assistance on transaction advisory and investment activities, and ensure coordination with activities of leverage partners and other actors engaged in investment advisory services in the region
• Ensure dialogue with clean energy procurement specialist and governments challenges to investment in clean energy
• Develop scopes of work to ensure technical quality and fit with country needs and strategies
• Liaises with MEL and GESI teams so all technical activities are properly set up and continually measured for attribution/contribution to activity targets, including GESI goals
• Supervise long-term technical staff and short-term consultants
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Chief of Party-Senior Technical Advisor

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, engineering, economics, sustainability, policy, or a related field, Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum eight years of experience in finance, investment banking, or asset management, with a specific focus on energy finance or energy-related investments
• Familiarity promoting gender equality and social inclusion in the energy sector
• Prior experience with managing a team of subject matter experts across multiple countries
• Demonstrated ability to establish and develop working relationships and a high level of trust with public/private organizations, clients, industry experts, energy companies, and financial institutions
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomacy, and leadership skills, including the ability to manage high-level relationships
• Experience working on both on-grid and off-grid energy opportunities
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility and integrity
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with command of French or Portuguese a plus