EOI: WAREP Clean Energy Minigrids Specialist

ECREEE is seeking to recruit a Clean Energy Mini-Grid Specialist, as part of the implementation of the West Africa Regional Energy Program (WAREP), financed by the African Development Bank (AFDB).

The Specialist shall support the Coordinator of the PIU in all aspects of project preparation and, eventually, implementation in all countries. The Clean Energy Mini-Grid Specialist will report directly to the Project Coordinator.

The proposed scope of work will include the following activities:

Liaise and setup networking with countries’ stakeholders for the promotion and implementation of the project;
Plan and follow up the project activities in the countries in liaison with the national focal institutions of the ECREEE, in coordination with the PIU, assuring timely and economically effective implementation;
Follow up and actively participate in the implementation of hired consultancy services for the pre-feasibility & feasibility studies; acquisition of equipment and installation of mini-grids, distribution networks and connections of households, small businesses, and public infrastructures, etc.;
Identify needs, design, and deliver Technical Assistance, provide capacity building training as needed;
Participate in the elaboration of procurement documents as well as technical evaluations;
Prepare periodical follow-up reports for the Project Coordinator and participate in the preparation of periodical reports to the AfDB;
Coordinate the project activities on the topic of "mini-grids"
Offer demand-based technical assistance and advice on mini-grids to companies, government partners, other development projects, and financial institutions (covering aspects such as technical, financial, and regulatory);
Support mini-grid companies going through the regulatory processes of obtaining concessions, negotiating tariffs, etc. and support public actors in streamlining and updating regulatory processes;
Liaise with other partners on the state of the mini-grid market, market intelligence, data analysis, barriers to the sector, and complementary activities;
Provide detailed analysis and the best strategy for promoting the investments in decentralized renewable energy-based mini-grids (including financial and fiscal instruments, socio-economic interests, and value chain analysis)
Review relevant documents (reports, plans, studies/assessments, academic papers) in the Sub-region related to decentralized energy, renewable energy, and mini-grids in particular.
Meet with key stakeholders at the national level, potential project developers, potential donors, local communities, and other stakeholders during a brief in-country mission to understand how financial incentives should be designed to support renewable energy-based mini-grids, subject to a range of macroeconomic, microeconomic, institutional, environmental, and technical considerations.
Based on the desk review, modelling, and stakeholder consultations, and taking into account the experience with similar financial mechanisms in other AfDB-financed projects, develop financial incentives and strategies for market mechanisms.
In the context of the business-as-usual baseline scenario and the project scenario involving the recommended financial incentives and associated policies and regulations, analyze the financial and economic viability and applicable business models on the pre-identified potential project sites to facilitate actual investment in these sites; and
Provide information and contribute to reporting and knowledge management of the related activities.
Participate in other related activities as may be assigned by the Coordinator and the Executive Director.