JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Analyst, Energy Access Western Africa

Reports to: Head of Programme, Western Africa

Hours: 40 hours, flexitime possible.

Location: Vienna

The Organisation

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) invests in clean energy markets in low and middle-income countries to generate energy access, improve lives and economic opportunities, build sustainable markets and combat climate change.

REEEP is a Quasi-International Organisation under Austrian law operating in a growing international environment that is rapidly expanding in influence and impact. Our results-oriented team of approximately 25 staff at our International Secretariat in Vienna, Austria, values innovation, cooperation and commitment, working hand-in-hand with partners based in our countries of implementation.

REEEP’s offices are located within the Vienna International Centre which hosts a number of UN agencies and initiatives, such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Project Context

Beyond the Grid for Africa (BGFA) is an energy access programme which supports the deployment of clean energy services for underserved people in rural and peri-urban areas in five sub-Saharan countries: Burkina Faso, Liberia, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia. BGFA is managed by the Nordic Environment Finance Company (NEFCO), based in Helsinki, Finland, and implemented by REEEP.

Initially founded by Sweden, BGFA is the expansion of a successful pilot programme in Zambia, the Beyond the Grid Fund for Zambia (BGFZ, https://www.bgfz.org/) which, in three years, has supported four firms in deploying clean energy services to around one million people. BGFZ’s contribution to the off-grid space has been acknowledged internationally: in 2019, the programme won the Ashden Award for Sustainable Finance and a UN Global Climate Action Award. BGFA’s €66m is funded primarily by Sweden, with Germany and Denmark to contribute to BGFA in Zambia and Uganda respectively, and the programme is generally open to new countries and new donors.

BGFA aims to create a sustainable market for energy access solutions: private companies are selected through a reverse auction mechanism, and BGFA awardees receive grants – or free equity – over 4 years, following a results-based financing approach which carefully monitors and supports the growth and development of the companies and tracks progress towards agreed targets.

The first Call for Proposals is ongoing in Burkina Faso, Liberia and Zambia, providing €30m in results-based financing to support more than 3.5 million people in gaining access to modern and clean energy. Calls in Mozambique and Uganda will be launched in 2021.

A number of technologies are supported by the programme: standalone systems and nano/micro/mini-grids, as well as specific equipment or appliances related to clean cooking, productive use or the delivery of public services. We strive go beyond energy generation by focusing on and incentivising the delivery of a sustainable energy service to the end user.

The Purpose of the Role

The Analyst for Western Africa will work with the regional Head of Programme to establish BGFA in the target countries in the region, currently Burkina Faso and Liberia. Work may also include contributions to the wider BGFA programme and other REEEP-implemented projects, such as the development of financial instruments, as sharing knowledge and experience is promoted within the organisation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of BGFA, including shadow evaluation of proposals, due diligence, selected aspects of contract negotiations and monitoring in relation to contractual commitments, risk profile and business performance of programme beneficiaries during implementation.
• Document lessons learnt; propose and co-develop improvements to monitoring frameworks and programme design as new funding rounds are launched and new countries join.
• Research, analyse and present information gathered from diverse sources to support the delivery of country engagement strategies, market scoping studies for new target countries or/and selected activities undertaken as technical assistance in the areas of policy reforms, financial analysis, gender, consumer protection, e-waste, etc.
• Identify challenges and bottlenecks to be addressed and contribute to the identification of practical solutions and formulation of recommendations.
• Perform management and programmatic assignments and administrative assignments in collaboration with the Head of Programme, the wider BGFA team and national and international partners, including work planning and report drafting, planning and facilitation of technical activities, preparation of ToRs for external experts, internal coordination with relevant REEEP teams on aspects of programme implementation, event coordination and multi-stakeholder engagement.
• Prepare and revise various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, translations, etc.
• Participate in field missions, including preparation, coordination with in-country stakeholders, and mission documentation.
• Initially, the position will focus on supporting the implementation of BGFA in Western Africa, and depending on the level of experience, background and aspirations of the successful candidate different growth paths can be envisaged within REEEP.

Person Profile

Essential Criteria

• University/Masters’ degree in a relevant field (e.g. economics, development studies, engineering, renewable energy, finance).
• Minimum one, preferably three years of relevant experience: exposure to project cycle management (e.g. project monitoring, stakeholder coordination, event/mission planning) and/or policy development, and/or technical/economic/business analysis in either international development or energy/infrastructure development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and French.
• Demonstrated interest in sustainable development, including relevant work or voluntary experience in a developing country.
• Strong analytical and organisational skills; ability to think creatively and strategically and work pro-actively to assist in planning and problem solving.
• Experience in drafting materials such as studies and reports, talking points and substantive documents for meetings and events.
• Ability to work independently but as an integral member of larger teams; ability to work efficiently under pressure and prioritise; reliable and committed team player, able to work as part of a diverse team.
• Willingness to travel, including to countries with a degraded security situation (e.g. Burkina Faso).

Desirable Criteria

• Work experience in sub-Saharan Africa in particular West Africa.
• Experience in renewable energy, off-grid energy access, or infrastructure planning/financing in the context of development cooperation.
• Knowledge of relevant technologies (mini-grids, SHS, clean cooking, productive use appliances) and business models used to deliver energy access.
• Good understanding of the energy sector including institutional, policy, legal and regulatory aspects.
• Knowledge of programming, statistical analysis and/or econometrics (e.g. Stata, R, SPSS, etc.).

About the Package

For this 40h/week full time position, REEEP offers a minimum salary of EUR 2,400 (gross, paid 14 times per year, subject to Austrian social security deduction, currently free of income tax due to REEEP’s status as “Quasi-International Organisation”). It further includes five weeks paid leave (pro-rated to part-time) as well as an average of 14 Austrian and UN holidays per annum. The envisaged starting date is as soon as possible.

The work location is the Vienna International Centre (“UNO City”) in Vienna, Austria. REEEP is not in the position to cover relocation costs or any other travel costs incurred, e.g. for job interviews.

Due to its special legal status, applicants must have a valid residency permit for Austria/EU, but do not require a work permit.

REEEP is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard for age, gender, race, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation.

About the Application

Applicants are kindly requested to address their CV, motivation letter and any supporting documents to jobs@reeep.org. Please note that only complete and timely submitted applications will be considered, and that only short-listed candidates will receive individual communication. The selection procedure may include a written test.

Application deadline: Until the position is filled, starting date as soon as possible

This is an advertisement for a full-time staff position. Please do not contact us unless you are applying for a position. Solicitations from service providers and brokers will be deleted and marked as spam.

By sending us your application, you consent to the processing of your personal data indicated in your application documents and related correspondence. Your application is treated strictly confidentially and in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Your personal data and application documents are only shared with REEEP staff and REEEP Governing Board members of the evaluation committee directly involved in the application process. In exceptional cases, recruitment processes include panel interviews which involve external members. If you are invited to such a panel interview, your application documents will also be shared with external panellists to allow them to prepare for the interview. REEEP will store your personal data and documents until six months after the application process has been completed, unless you consent to REEEP keeping your application in evidence for future job openings. Please see our Privacy Statement for further information on your rights under the GDPR and REEEP’s contact data.

Job Email id: jobs(at)reeep.org