Background

SNV’s mission is to support people to pursue their own sustainable development, where we leave no one behind. To do so sustainably, we need to address systemic issues that trap people into poverty and marginalization. Using a systems perspective[1] means we seek to find ways of changing the underlying structures and dynamics to sustain access to services and income generation over time and grow them further. Attention to systems change, including power dynamics and mental models, can increase the quality, depth, and sustainability of results as well as their continued growth.

As part of SNV’s Strategic Plan 2019-2022, the underlying ambition of systems change is to improve further our abilities to achieve and show systemic results beyond projects’ boundaries in space and time. Such abilities are expected to a) increase our impact, b) sharpen our professional approaches and quality, and c) position ourselves in an evolving donor landscape.

Within the Energy sector, SNV is a facilitator of commercially viable markets for renewable energy products and services for households and SMEs. SNV provides advisory services to private, public and non-governmental organizations for improved access to energy for underserved populations within rural, peri-urban as well as urban areas.

Overview of programme

Due to its extremely high population density, Rwanda is one of the countries most vulnerable to deforestation. The high dependency on solid biomass for cooking, used in inefficient cooking devices, generates high emissions effecting the climate and the users health. Through a new project focused on clean cooking in Rwanda, SNV aims to the address these challenges by setting up a sustainable production and dissemination chain for improved cookstoves (ICS) as well as for improved or alternative fuel through a threefold approach: helping to increase production capacities, consumer awareness and dissemination density. The project will support a wide range of ICS (according to nationally determined priorities, quality and performance guidelines), giving the choice for people to adopt the technology most appropriate to their needs and means. Aimed at building a thriving viable and sustainable market benefiting local entrepreneurship, the project seeks to avoid market distortion by refraining from paying direct subsidies on the sales prices, and will rather build on incentives strengthening the value chain e.g. through results-based incentives and access to finance with existing microfinance institutions (MFIs). Producers of both ICS and biomass fuels will be enabled to grow and professionalize their businesses, e.g. transitioning to semi-industrial production with higher output and improved quality, eventually better serving the Rwandan market. It will also be aligned with the global (SDG’s), European and national goals.

The project will contribute to raise nationwide production of ICS to 200,000 per year with cumulative 500,000 ICS sold to households, productive-use-units (restaurants, tea factories etc.) and social institutions over the five-year implementation period. All over the dissemination chain, at least 200 jobs will be created in the production and sales of ICS.  The fuels and cookstoves private sector while engaging the Rwandan government by supporting an enabling environment. SNV’s role in the project will be to lead the improved cookstoves component with technical expertise and impactful on the ground presence working with local capacity builders (LCB’s) to ensure implementation quality.   

Overview of the Position

The Project Manager: Renewable Energy for SNV has responsibility for overall management of SNV’s component of the project, which includes:

·       Strategic Leadership: develop the Energy sector strategy of SNV Rwanda aligned to          corporate frameworks;

·       Programme Management: deliver effective development results, planning and                    monitoring, financial management, and donor reporting.

·       Business Development: develop proposals and secure funding for innovative Energy          programmes.

·       External profiling: Present and represent SNV Rwanda energy sector at workshops,          network events and prepare (social) media publications.

·       People management: lead and coach the team of SNV advisors and consultants,              monitor and coach staff to increase performance and support the development of                local capacity builders.

·       Advisory services: lead the implementation of complex assignments according to                agreements with donors; set benchmarks for results and monitor quality of advisory            services of the Energy Sector team.

·       Communication, representation and positioning: guide knowledge development and          develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders to improve SNV’s market                  position; actively participate in external and internal networks.

·       Monitoring & Evaluation: ensure uniform understanding and practice in planning,                reporting, monitoring and evaluation of energy programmes in line with SNV’s                    internal frameworks.

·       Project Manager: Lead a project in addition to Sector Leadership.

·       Member of the Country Management Team.

Key Responsibilities

·         Execute overall components assigned to SNV for RE projects.

·         Lead and steer SNV’s programme implementation team, consisting of two (2) full-              time technical experts and several local capacity builders/consultants.

·         Build, strengthen and manage relations with key partners, sub-contractors and                  other key stakeholders

·         Ensure proper control and management of financial resources of the programme.

·         Monitor performance of the programme management team to ensure all milestones            set in the work plan are met, develop mitigation plans to reduce risks and take                    corrective actions to remedy any deviation from the work plans

·         Account and report to SNV, GIZ/EnDev, donors and partners on programme                        performance.

·         Guide knowledge development, documentation, communication and branding in                close collaboration with GIZ/EnDev and partners

·         Present results and represent the programme in relevant national, regional and                   international forums.

·         Master's degree in a relevant field, MBA or other advanced degree.

·         Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in managing              and implementing multi-faceted, donor-funded development programmes.

·         Solid background and understanding of decentralised renewable energy (DRE)                      solutions and improved cookstoves (ICS) market development, preferably  in Rwanda.

·         Excellent understanding of issues surrounding the DRE and ICS sector in East Africa.            Specific experience in Rwanda preferred, including private sector realities to the                      Rwandan government regulations/requirements.

·         Able to strategically lead, inspire and energise programme teams.

·         Experience in collaborative and adaptive monitoring, evaluation and learning.

·         Demonstrated experience in managing various programme partners.

·         Excellent social and networking skills, able to engage with the private sector, civil                    society and governments at all levels.

·         Highly motivated self-starter, with strong organisational skills, who takes individual                  accountability seriously.

·         Strong strategic decision-making and excellent communication skills (written and                    oral),  as well as reporting and presentation skills.

·         Fluency in both written and spoken English and French.

·         Willingness to travel to all programme locations, including remote, rural areas.

 This is a full-time position with an International contract, based in Kigali. The successful candidate will be contracted for 2 years initially, with the possibility of renewal. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, including a competitive secondary benefits package.

·         Application Deadline: 23 February 2021

·         Contract Duration: 2 years, with possibility of extension

·         Desired Start Date: April 2021

How to Apply

Please submit your application via SmartRecruiters on or before 23 February 2021, if you wish to be considered for this position. All information will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.  We will revert to you as soon as feasible when we have reviewed your application, though due to the expected high number of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Only applications containing a motivation letter and CV in English will be accepted, accompanied with 3 referents. Referents will only be contacted after your written consent

Please only apply when you are convinced to meet with the qualifications mentioned!

Working at SNV

SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts across sectors. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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