Duty Station: Home-based in DRC (ideally in Kinshasa) – note: only individuals who hold a valid work or residency permit for the DRC are eligible to apply

Team: Results-Based Financing / Universal Energy Facility

Line Manager: Principal Specialist, Energy (UEF)

Contract Type: Full-time Short-Term Consultant

Date Required: As soon as possible

Duration: 8 months until 30 April 2024

Closing date: 7 September 2023 at 23:59 CET

Background about SEforALL

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization working with leaders in government, the private sector and civil society to drive further, faster action toward achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030, and the Paris Agreement, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate warming to well below 2° Celsius (and striving for 1.5° Celsius).

Achieving these goals will require a radical rethink of the way we produce, distribute and consume energy. SEforALL is at the heart of this foundational shift to ensure no one is left behind. Drawing on data and evidence, we identify a critical path to success in achieving SDG7.

The 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Now an independent organization, we maintain close links with the UN, including through a relationship agreement, partnerships with UN agencies and with SEforALL’s CEO acting as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative (SRSG) for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. These roles include advising the UN Secretary General and his staff on issues relating to sustainable energy and the implementation of SDG7 and supporting the coordination of sustainable energy issues in the United Nations system.

The ambitions of SDG7 are extraordinary. Aiming to achieve them in the context of the Paris Agreement on climate change involves transformation at a scale never undertaken before. Swift action must be taken by leaders in governments, private sector companies, institutions, financiers, development banks, unions, communities, entrepreneurs and civil society. As we enter the final decade to achieve SDG7, SEforALL has strategically chosen to strengthen global agenda-setting while expanding its activities to an engagement model that prioritizes data-driven decision-making, partnerships with high-impact countries and implementation on the ground. SEforALL’s current three-year business plan outlines “results offers” that scope out our planned interventions and demonstrate to our funding partners the impact of their support.

Context and Objective of Assignment

SEforALL launched and operationalized the Universal Energy Facility (UEF) in October 2020 as a multi-donor RBF facility designed to significantly speedup and scaleup the delivery of energy connections in Sub-Saharan Africa. The UEF provides incentive payments to eligible organizations that deploy energy solutions and provide verified end-user energy connections.

SEforALL’s activities include designing end-to-end UEF framework and processes, including qualification criteria, technical specifications and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators); conducting analysis of base case assumptions and financial modelling to ensure a sound subsidy amount; setting up the UEF Governance Structure; carrying out in-country due diligence and stakeholder engagement; and managing the full process from pre-qualification and site-specific applications to grant disbursements.

The UEF opened its first funding window in 2020 for mini-grids in Madagascar, Sierra Leone, and the Republic of Benin, and a second mini-grid window in 2022 in Madagascar, Sierra Leone and the DRC. Over the coming year, SEforALL expects to significantly grow the UEF to be a USD 100 million facility operating in multiple countries in Africa, expanding the mini-grid windows and launching new windows for solar for productive use (SSPU).

The main objectives of the Results Based Financing (RBF) Results Offer are:

• To provide a funding mechanism that allows for scale, speed and efficiency to achieve universal energy access by 2030.
• To operationalize and scale the UEF for mini-grids, stand-alone systems for productive uses, and clean cooking solutions.
• Under the RBF programme, SEforALL also provides advocacy, communications and outreach to promote and scale the transition to results-based approaches to providing energy access.

Important note: This is a locally recruited position. As such, only persons currently living and residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo with a valid work or residency permit are eligible to apply for this vacancy. SEforALL currently does not have a legal entity nor office premises in the Democratic Republic of Congo and therefore is unable to support with the acquiring or extension of appropriate work visa and permits. The selected candidate will be expected to be based in the DRC for the entire duration of the assignment and work from home (unless otherwise communicated), with possibility of travel (arranged and covered by SEforALL) to Benin. Specific needs related to logistics and equipment will be discussed directly with the selected candidate, and SEforALL will make the necessary arrangements. SEforALL will provide competitive untaxed renumeration to the selected candidate. It is however the responsibility of the selected candidate to ensure that they meet any applicable national or local tax requirements.

Purpose/Objective of the Role

• Programme Implementation and Support: Work closely with the UEF Programme Manager and team to implement various programme objectives, including the management and monitoring of UEF grantees.
• Strengthening UEF’s engagement with the DRC and Benin governments to expedite the issuance of regulatory approvals, licences and permits.
• Engage regularly with developers to identify and resolve issues that may impede project development and implementation.

• Coordinate closely with other in-country partner programmes, energy sector stakeholders and partners to provide technical assistance to strengthen the enabling environment for mini-grid investments.

Main Duties and Tasks of the Role

The main responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Programme Management: Liaise regularly with mini-grid developers and support the management of UEF grantees and engagement with key public sector stakeholders and intergovernmental institutions in DRC and Benin.
• Assist in maintaining the buy-in of government agencies and strengthen the liaison between the UEF and relevant senior government officials to help expedite regulatory approvals, permits and licences.
• Assess technical assistance needs of government agencies and propose actions/interventions to address the needs.
• Support stakeholder coordination and represent UEF at various donor and partner coordination meetings.
• Provide comprehensive updates on engagements, key events and regulatory developments in the respective countries.
• Provide support to the UEF appointed Independent Verification Agent or other providers supporting UEF programmes as required from time to time.
• Provide administrative support to the UEF team by identifying and tracking follow-up actions; coordinating and scheduling meetings and workshops; preparing and circulating meeting agendas and minutes; drafting correspondence as required.
• Provide research support to the UEF, including collecting, analyzing and presenting statistical data and other information as required.
• Other duties and responsibilities as required.

Specific Competencies for the Role

• Advanced university degree (Master’s equivalent or higher).
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in the energy or climate sector, and understanding of its general stakeholder landscape.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in handling similar tasks.
• Demonstrated experience in successful task/ project management, working with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

• Proven ability to work with others to create, synthesize and/ or share relevant knowledge and to stimulate its use.
• Complete fluency in English and in French with strong written and verbal communication skills are required.

• Experiences in a fast-paced environment that requires high flexibility and a commitment to results.
• Experiences in operating across multiple time zones and with distributed teams.

• Knowledge of international organizations is an advantage;
• Previous experience in policy, project management and event management is an advantage.

General Competences for the Role

• Energy Policies: Understanding of best in class approaches to energy policy in Global South, specifically energy access and off-grid/rural electrification, energy efficiency and energy productivity policy and technology solutions. Understands the strategic and development context of energy efficiency and renewable energy.Energy Solutions: Understanding of energy planning processes, systems change, and the role of demand and supply side solutions both at macro and micro scale. Energy efficiency/productivity and on- and off-grid solutions for energy efficiency and energy access. Particular experience with renewables, energy efficiency and energy productivity process and technology solutions as well as an understanding of different sectoral approaches and technology applications a plus.
• Stakeholder engagement: A track record of engaging with public, private sector and CSO partners in an international and country context.
• Knowledge Management and turning Knowledge to Value and Strategic Engagement: Ability to work with others to create, synthesize and/ or share relevant knowledge and to stimulate its use through concrete strategies for delivery.
• Planning and Organization: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments. Adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently and is able to work to deadlines and maintain effectiveness under pressure. Excellent organizational and task management skills, with appropriate attention to details and ability to prioritize work among multiple competing demands, and under tight deadlines. Ability to manage multiple workflows at the same time. Proactive approach to managing workflow, with keen ability to multi-task and respond quickly and flexibly to a wide range of issues, some of which come up in ad hoc and unexpected ways.
• Writing and Research Skills: Excellent written, synthesis and research skills, including drafting ability and extensive knowledge of word processing and application of software package as databases and Power Point Presentations;
• Communication: Excellent communication skills in speaking and writing; ability to develop contacts, foster collaboration with internal as well as external stakeholders, deliver presentations, advocate for viewpoints and participate actively in internal as well as external debates and negotiations. Ability to craft messages and communiques, and copy edit work to produce flawless written communications is required.
• Learning Culture: Encourages a learning culture by seeking out and being open to feedback, as well as effectively mentoring others, on how to improve contribution and impact through continuous learning and knowledge acquisition.
• Analysis and Innovation: Demonstrated excellent numerical and analytical skills that can be applied to gather data and generate knowledge relevant to decision-making functions. Capability and easiness to work with numbers, calculate, and analyze data as well as the ability to summarize and present key-findings. Inspires and influences others to drive innovation. Inspires others to develop new solutions that have a development impact and advocates for changes and application of new methods to enhance results.
• Technological Awareness: Excellent e-skills, including the ability to use modem office technology and related software. Practical knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software is required. Ability to do internet research, compile information and find solutions on line to information gaps is essential.
• Teamwork: Works within the team as well as with colleagues across work units. Supports colleagues, establishes a team culture, encourages others to participate in teamwork and share responsibility for decision-making and results. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Demonstrated ability to work with teams representing a wide variety of staffing levels that also cut across agencies and partners, and work without direct authority to deliver timely and high quality products. Strong team player capabilities.

Our Values – please refer to our core values as defined here: https://www.seforall.org/who-we-are/staff/our-values.

Salary information: The successful candidate will be offered an all-in daily rate determined depending on the successful candidate’s qualification and experience, and applying the principle of internal equity. SEforALL will provide compensation to the selected candidate, with the payments being untaxed. It is the responsibility of the staff member to ensure that they meet any applicable national or local tax requirements.

Additional Considerations

• SEforALL offers exciting high-impact assignments, a collegial and creative work environment, and the opportunity for committed professionals to thrive and grow within flat hierarchies and in the pursuit of an inspiring mission.
• SEforALL provides competitive compensation packages at its locations in Vienna, Washington DC, New York City, and Abuja, and flexibility and result orientated modern workplace arrangements.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• SEforALL reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post

Your data will not be passed on to third parties outside SEforALL. We will only use your data to the extent necessary for the purposes of selecting personnel in accordance with the applicable data protection regulations.

We will only disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by a court´s or administrative authority´s decision. In such a case, we will inform you as soon as possible of such an order so that you can take legal action against it if necessary. Please email to careers@seforall.org if you require updates to your information in accordance with Art. 5 lit. d of the GDPR

Apply here