Strategic Innovation Project Manager, Zambia

Job Title: Strategic Innovation Project Manager, Zambia
Department: Zambia Minigrids
Reporting line: Head of Minigrids, Zambia
Location: Lusaka, Zambia

About ENGIE Energy Access

ENGIE Energy Access is a leading Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) and mini-grids solutions provider in Africa, with a mission to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy solutions and life-changing services with exceptional customer experience. The company is a result of the integration of Fenix International, ENGIE Mobisol and ENGIE PowerCorner; and develops innovative, off-grid solar solutions for homes, public services and businesses, enabling customers and distribution partners access to clean, affordable energy. The PAYGo solar home systems are financed through affordable installments from $0.14 per day and the mini-grids foster economic development by enabling electrical productive use and triggering business opportunities for entrepreneurs in rural communities.

With over 1,700 employees, operations in nine countries across Africa (Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia), over 1 million customers and more than 5 million lives impacted so far, ENGIE Energy Access aims to remain a leading clean energy company, serving millions of customers across Africa by 2025.

www.engie-africa.com  
www.linkedin.com/company/engie-africa  

Within EEA, ENGIE PowerCorner is providing sustainable, affordable and reliable energy services to rural populations in Zambia and several other countries in Sub-Sahara Africa through smart solar minigrids, using a combination of key innovations: standardized, low-cost production units including PV panels and batteries, a distribution network with smart prepaid meters and payments through mobile money.

In order to accelerate its developments in Zambia, ENGIE PowerCorner Zambia (EPCZ) is looking for a Strategic Innovation Project Manager to reinforce the team.

Job Purpose/Mission 

The Strategy & Innovation Manager will be responsible for defining, together with the Head of Minigrids Zambia, the strategy of minigrid developments in Zambia, and for steering diverse innovation, technical and commercial projects. He/She will also providing the team with high-quality independent technical advice and assistance on economic and operational viability of new and existing activities within ENGIE PowerCorner Zambia. He/she will work closely with the Managing Director, Commercial Manager, Cluster managers and Financial Manager as well as the Europe-based ENGIE PowerCorner HQ team. On a high level the Strategy and Innovations Manager will also be expected to engage and steer engagements and collaborations where necessary with relevant stakeholders in the energy sector.

Responsibilities

• General project management on diverse innovation, technical and commercial projects and management of grant funded minigrid implementation projects
• Investigate and establish Innovations and commercial activities that can be upscaled into Value-adding projects for EPCZ and/or its beneficiaries
• Participate in local decision-making processes and contribute knowledge to find solutions that will be most beneficial for the community and in line with the adopted strategic visions of the village, district and province
• Participate in implementation of community based projects including conducting social impact assessments
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and prepare engagement plans with key actors
• Develop the ENGIE Powercorner minigrid development strategy for Zambia, together with the head of Minigrids Zambia
• Develop and promote local partnerships to ensure effective implementation of EPCZ projects (energy, gender and inclusion, and climate adaptation, etc.)
• Ensure open, transparent and participatory Community Development and participatory planning and budgeting processes in the EPCZ sites
• Assist EPCZ identify bankable community projects and support the EPCZ (Technical, Commercial and Operations) Team in execution of EPCZ assisted projects in the Operational sites
• Prepare project briefs and Reports in accordance with EPCZ/EPC HQ requirements

At A2E, we have high expectations for our managers. Each manager plays a key role in creating an exceptional experience not only for our customers but for every person on our team. Our managers help A2E realize our ambitious goals while developing their own leadership skills and facilitating growth for their direct reports. 

We believe that great managers:

• Deliver ambitious results: As a high-performing and accountable leader, you create an enabling environment for effective action and bold decision which contribute to successful delivery of results.
• Act with integrity: As an ethical leader you are honest, respectful, objective, and transparent. You create and build upon a foundation of trust and openness.
• Inspire and mentor the team: As an inspirational leader you walk the talk. You empower and coach your team with trust and humility.
• Are accessible: as an accessible leader, you develop and maintain deep connections with stakeholders through approachability and active listening.
• Ensure diversity and inclusion: as an inclusive leader, you ensure diversity and foster a sense of belonging.

Knowledge and skills 

• Relatable/comprehensive experience in driving Product and project implementation
• Proven ability to analyze complex business issues, identification and design and implementation of effective recommendations
• Exposure working in a renewable energy, telecoms, financial or international institutions

Experience & Qualifications

• Passionate about local rural village economics
• Structured and attention to detail
• Organized and time-conscious
• Strong analytical background
• Experience with data analytics and statistics
• Having IT skills.
• Ability to work well in diverse teams and Optimistic team player
• Minimum 2 years of working experience in project management including economic modelling, operations and data analytics
• Experience with GIS is a plus
• Basic Qualification:
  • Bachelor Degree in Economics or equivalent
  • Post Graduate Studies in statistics or data analytics (Added Advantage)

Language(s): 

• Having good written and spoken communication abilities in English
• French is a plus

 What we offer:

• Contribution to a highly inspiring and purposeful business development activity
• Actively participate in defining and building tomorrow’s business models for energy access
• A secure position in a company combining the strengths of a start-up in terms of agility and those of a multinational in terms of financial and business support.
• Being part of a passionate and professional team based in Lusaka, Zambia
• Competitive pay

ENGIE is an equal opportunity employer, promoting diversity and committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. All applications are screened based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without any regard to origin, age, name, sexual identity, orientation or preference, religion, marital status, health, disability, political opinions, union involvement or citizenship. Our differences are our strengths!