Programme Manager - Renewable Energy (Solar PV)

The Government of Botswana and UNDP are currently seeking motivated candidates with appropriate experience for the post of Renewable Energy (Solar PV) Project Manager for the Renewable Energy-based Rural Electrification/Solar PV project. 

The RERE/Solar PV Project  was a 5 year full-size programme funded by the Government of Botswana and Global Environment Facility (GEF) which commenced in 2006, and has now been extended for an additional 18 months commencing July 2012 . The project aims at improving the quality of life in rural households and reducing local and global environmental problems related to the use of unsustainable energy sources. These aims will be addressed by promoting Solar Photo-Voltaic (PV) energy for lighting and communications and low emission technologies such as efficient stoves for cooking. Included in the project are activities designed to: remove barriers to the large-scale utilisation of Solar PV; help establish the Solar PV programme at Botswana Power Corporation (BPC); and encourage the development of the private sector in the provision of rural energy services. A key output of this strategy was the establishment of a rural energy services company, called BPC Lesedi for the commercial provision of the basic energy services described above. BPC Lesedi operates as a business format franchise to facilitate efficient replication, improve opportunities for investment and enhance involvement of private sector in promoting renewable energy uptake in Botswana. 

In view of the successes of the RERE/Solar PV programme during its implementation and the envisage incremental benefits to rural households in Botswana and the development of a renewable energy sector in Botswana, the Government of Botswana and UNDP have agreed to extend the programme from July 2012 until December 2013 to facilitate completion of the programme activities that remained incomplete when the programme concluded in 2010. 

• Manage the overall coordination, administration and supervision of the programme implementation in   accordance with objectives, schedule and planned budget;
• Implement and review the workplan taking into consideration the latest developments in the sector;
• Manage all programme activities,  and consultants for timely implementation of the programme;
• Coordinate awareness education on all programme activities with relevant initiatives of the Government  and other stakeholders;
• Facilitate the mainstreaming of renewable energy into national development processes
• Facilitate access to finance for rural electrification actors and customers;
• Ensure cooperation between the participating institutions of the project;
• Ensure timely preparation of project quarterly progress reports and other relevant project documents.

Functional Competencies:    

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

• Preparing information for advocacy;
• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration;
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development;
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of   proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly.

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date   on partnership related issues;
• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of  doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical   specialty relating to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and   applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management   tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Client Orientation

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely,    succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity; 
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge  management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Education:

• An engineering or business degree with postgraduate training in Energy Management, Environmental Management or Business Management. A PhD will be an added advantage.

Experience:

• At least 7 years work experience in managing similar projects. Familiarity with or more extensive   knowledge of the Energy sector and the main actors and stakeholders in this field in Botswana;
• Demonstrated strength of capability in terms of budgeting, presentation, public speaking, project   management, and time and personnel management skills;
• Familiarity with or more extensive knowledge of financial engineering;
• Highly developed personal communication and people skills with evidence of track record in effective   team work and collaboration;
• Strong skills and proficiency in speaking and writing in the English language;
• Knowledge of GEF and UNDP procedures and processes is an added advantage;

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station.

Qualified women, qualified people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply