Job Title: Finance & Strategy Director Organization: Diageo Duty Station:…
Energy and Digital Finance Advisor Job Placement – Mercy Corps and Power Africa Uganda Accelerator
Job
Title: Energy
and Digital Finance Advisor
Title: Energy
and Digital Finance Advisor
Organisation: Mercy
Corps and Power Africa Uganda Electricity Supply Accelerator (Power Africa
Uganda Accelerator)
Corps and Power Africa Uganda Electricity Supply Accelerator (Power Africa
Uganda Accelerator)
Duty Station: Kampala,
Uganda, with 50% travel to West Nile
Uganda, with 50% travel to West Nile
About Mercy Corps and Power Africa Uganda Electricity
Supply Accelerator (Power Africa Uganda Accelerator):
Supply Accelerator (Power Africa Uganda Accelerator):
Mercy Corps is a
leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is
possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world,
Mercy Corps partners to put bold solutions into action—helping people triumph
over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the
future. In Uganda since 2006, the Mercy Corps team has differentiated itself as
a forward-thinking, market-driven agency, having implemented or currently
implementing over 40 programs in country, valued at over 110 million GBP, and
changing the lives of 2.5 million Ugandans and South Sudanese refugees. In
Uganda’s West Nile region, Mercy Corps has broadened the reach and understanding
of market-based solutions in refugee and host community settings. Their
programs reach more than 11,000 refugee and host community members through
smart subsidies (for agricultural inputs), financial services (Village Savings
and Loan Associations), and improving linkages to suppliers.
leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is
possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world,
Mercy Corps partners to put bold solutions into action—helping people triumph
over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the
future. In Uganda since 2006, the Mercy Corps team has differentiated itself as
a forward-thinking, market-driven agency, having implemented or currently
implementing over 40 programs in country, valued at over 110 million GBP, and
changing the lives of 2.5 million Ugandans and South Sudanese refugees. In
Uganda’s West Nile region, Mercy Corps has broadened the reach and understanding
of market-based solutions in refugee and host community settings. Their
programs reach more than 11,000 refugee and host community members through
smart subsidies (for agricultural inputs), financial services (Village Savings
and Loan Associations), and improving linkages to suppliers.
In February 2018,
USAID and Power Africa announced the launch of USAID’s Power Africa Uganda
Accelerator with the goal of adding 1,000 MW and one million new connections by
2020. This target is aligned with the Government of Uganda (GOU)’s target of
increasing electricity generation capacity to 2,500 MW by 2020 and Power
Africa’s overall target of adding 30,000 MW and 60 million new connections to
electricity (on grid and off grid) in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. The Power Africa
Uganda Accelerator’s objective is to facilitate the increase of clean energy
electricity generation and electricity access among rural and urban communities
in Uganda by working with clean energy generation and access project developers
to reach financial close and/or commissioning and to enhance the enabling
environment for clean energy investment. The Power Africa Uganda Accelerator
works through its networks including the Uganda Solar Energy Association
(USEA), an association of over 100 solar product and service providers that
guarantees much needed quality in the clean energy space and the Alur Highland
Coffee Alliance, a network of 16,000 farmers in the West Nile region.
USAID and Power Africa announced the launch of USAID’s Power Africa Uganda
Accelerator with the goal of adding 1,000 MW and one million new connections by
2020. This target is aligned with the Government of Uganda (GOU)’s target of
increasing electricity generation capacity to 2,500 MW by 2020 and Power
Africa’s overall target of adding 30,000 MW and 60 million new connections to
electricity (on grid and off grid) in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. The Power Africa
Uganda Accelerator’s objective is to facilitate the increase of clean energy
electricity generation and electricity access among rural and urban communities
in Uganda by working with clean energy generation and access project developers
to reach financial close and/or commissioning and to enhance the enabling
environment for clean energy investment. The Power Africa Uganda Accelerator
works through its networks including the Uganda Solar Energy Association
(USEA), an association of over 100 solar product and service providers that
guarantees much needed quality in the clean energy space and the Alur Highland
Coffee Alliance, a network of 16,000 farmers in the West Nile region.
Context and
Opportunity Summary
Opportunity Summary
Uganda hosts one of
the world’s largest refugee populations, including a substantial number of
South Sudanese refugees, who have primarily settled in the West Nile region.
One of the greatest challenges facing both refugees and low-income Ugandans in
the West Nile is the lack of reliable, affordable, and clean energy sources—for
both electricity and cooking. Alternative energy sources, such as improved cook
stoves and solar panels exist, but their high upfront costs are a barrier.
the world’s largest refugee populations, including a substantial number of
South Sudanese refugees, who have primarily settled in the West Nile region.
One of the greatest challenges facing both refugees and low-income Ugandans in
the West Nile is the lack of reliable, affordable, and clean energy sources—for
both electricity and cooking. Alternative energy sources, such as improved cook
stoves and solar panels exist, but their high upfront costs are a barrier.
The expansion of
mobile money in East Africa (including Uganda) has altered this financial
context (including in the Bidibidi refugee settlement, where up to 25% of
refugees use mobile phones for financial transactions). The percentage is even higher for low income
Ugandans in the West Nile region. Solar panels and improved cook stove
providers are integrating mobile money in new business models that capitalize
on customers’ ability to make small, mobile-based payments (vs. expensive
in-person transactions). These “pay-as you-go” (PAYG) energy services offer a
compelling solution to energy poverty for refugees and low-income Ugandans. At
the same time, PAYG services offer the opportunity for customers to build
credit histories and access additional financial and energy services.
mobile money in East Africa (including Uganda) has altered this financial
context (including in the Bidibidi refugee settlement, where up to 25% of
refugees use mobile phones for financial transactions). The percentage is even higher for low income
Ugandans in the West Nile region. Solar panels and improved cook stove
providers are integrating mobile money in new business models that capitalize
on customers’ ability to make small, mobile-based payments (vs. expensive
in-person transactions). These “pay-as you-go” (PAYG) energy services offer a
compelling solution to energy poverty for refugees and low-income Ugandans. At
the same time, PAYG services offer the opportunity for customers to build
credit histories and access additional financial and energy services.
Mercy Corps and
Power Africa Uganda Accelerator believe that expanding availability and use of
PAYG energy services in the West Nile will substantially improve quality of
life for refugees and host communities, while also reducing pressure on the
environment. At the same time, a coalition led by Power Africa, called the
Smart Communities Coalition (SCC) has convened to improve the delivery of
essential services to refugees and host community members through enhanced
coordination between public and private entities and strategic implementation
of technology. Efforts focus on three foundational pillars—connectivity,
digital tools, and energy access.
Power Africa Uganda Accelerator believe that expanding availability and use of
PAYG energy services in the West Nile will substantially improve quality of
life for refugees and host communities, while also reducing pressure on the
environment. At the same time, a coalition led by Power Africa, called the
Smart Communities Coalition (SCC) has convened to improve the delivery of
essential services to refugees and host community members through enhanced
coordination between public and private entities and strategic implementation
of technology. Efforts focus on three foundational pillars—connectivity,
digital tools, and energy access.
This position will
play a leadership role in coordinating SCC activities in Yumbe settlement and
developing and implementing a broader strategy to expand availability of PAYG
energy services in the West Nile with the ultimate vision of powered,
connected, and productive communities and refugee settlements.
play a leadership role in coordinating SCC activities in Yumbe settlement and
developing and implementing a broader strategy to expand availability of PAYG
energy services in the West Nile with the ultimate vision of powered,
connected, and productive communities and refugee settlements.
Job Summary: The Energy and Digital Finance Advisor is a
new position and the position holder will sit within Mercy Corps Uganda’s team
and coordinate closely with Mercy Corps’ global technical teams and Power
Africa Uganda Accelerator’s Off-Grid Energy Advisor. The purpose of this role
is to facilitate the expansion and growth of demand-driven PAYG energy services
including, most importantly, access to electricity to refugee and host
communities in the West Nile. The advisor will manage feasibility studies,
market research, and pilot activities using existing funding, while supporting
new fundraising opportunities that can support subsequent phases of this work.
This position will demand effective engagement of the private sector, balanced
with deep understanding of end user needs and preferences.
new position and the position holder will sit within Mercy Corps Uganda’s team
and coordinate closely with Mercy Corps’ global technical teams and Power
Africa Uganda Accelerator’s Off-Grid Energy Advisor. The purpose of this role
is to facilitate the expansion and growth of demand-driven PAYG energy services
including, most importantly, access to electricity to refugee and host
communities in the West Nile. The advisor will manage feasibility studies,
market research, and pilot activities using existing funding, while supporting
new fundraising opportunities that can support subsequent phases of this work.
This position will demand effective engagement of the private sector, balanced
with deep understanding of end user needs and preferences.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
SCC Coordination at
Innovation Centers
Innovation Centers
·
Act as
focal point for SCC engagement in Bidi Bidi Innovation centers.
Act as
focal point for SCC engagement in Bidi Bidi Innovation centers.
·
Network
and facilitate information exchange with SCC partners and private sector.
Network
and facilitate information exchange with SCC partners and private sector.
·
Provide
representation and report outs on SCC coordination calls.
Provide
representation and report outs on SCC coordination calls.
·
Site
identification and assessment for 25 kW solar + battery storage infrastructure.
Site
identification and assessment for 25 kW solar + battery storage infrastructure.
·
Business
modeling for innovation centers.
Business
modeling for innovation centers.
Market Assessments
and Private Sector Engagement
and Private Sector Engagement
·
Conduct
PAYG market mapping and a feasibility study in the West Nile, including
identification of minimum required infrastructure and current availability of
PAYG products.
Conduct
PAYG market mapping and a feasibility study in the West Nile, including
identification of minimum required infrastructure and current availability of
PAYG products.
·
Manage
assessment of the PAYG delivery channel, including the presence and capacity of
mobile money merchants and their attitudes towards PAYG products and services.
Manage
assessment of the PAYG delivery channel, including the presence and capacity of
mobile money merchants and their attitudes towards PAYG products and services.
·
Develop
deep partnerships and build relationships with PAYG providers and selected
solar product suppliers, gaining understanding of private sector drivers,
expansion strategies and limitations, and documenting findings in a PAYG
partner scoping report.
Develop
deep partnerships and build relationships with PAYG providers and selected
solar product suppliers, gaining understanding of private sector drivers,
expansion strategies and limitations, and documenting findings in a PAYG
partner scoping report.
·
Manage a
demand study on West Nile host community and refugee consumer segments, through
demand analysis (examining energy product preferences and potential solar
product suppliers) and ability/willingness to pay for energy services.
Manage a
demand study on West Nile host community and refugee consumer segments, through
demand analysis (examining energy product preferences and potential solar
product suppliers) and ability/willingness to pay for energy services.
·
Develop
partnership agreements with PAYG providers to conduct pilot deployments and
market tests of PAYG solutions in cooperation with willing solar product
suppliers.
Develop
partnership agreements with PAYG providers to conduct pilot deployments and
market tests of PAYG solutions in cooperation with willing solar product
suppliers.
Manage Pilot Activities
·
Conduct
frequent field visits to host communities and refugee settlements in West Nile,
including a consistent presence during pilot activities.
Conduct
frequent field visits to host communities and refugee settlements in West Nile,
including a consistent presence during pilot activities.
·
With
support from both Mercy Corps West Nile team members and Power Africa Uganda
Accelerator’s field office personnel, and in close coordination with PAYG
partners, identify refugee and host community members to participate in PAYG
product trials.
With
support from both Mercy Corps West Nile team members and Power Africa Uganda
Accelerator’s field office personnel, and in close coordination with PAYG
partners, identify refugee and host community members to participate in PAYG
product trials.
·
Prepare
and support PAYG suppliers in all aspects of product trials and tests, and
ensure that the activities are carried out in line with humanitarian
principles.
Prepare
and support PAYG suppliers in all aspects of product trials and tests, and
ensure that the activities are carried out in line with humanitarian
principles.
·
Manage
consultants to carry out financial and energy diaries with selected pilot
participants, to gain understanding of household budgeting around energy and
willingness/ability to pay for energy and financial services.
Manage
consultants to carry out financial and energy diaries with selected pilot
participants, to gain understanding of household budgeting around energy and
willingness/ability to pay for energy and financial services.
·
Manage
consultants to carry out user experience research, yielding insights about
refugee and host community reactions and response to PAYG energy products and
solar power solutions.
Manage
consultants to carry out user experience research, yielding insights about
refugee and host community reactions and response to PAYG energy products and
solar power solutions.
·
Conduct
digital literacy pilots with PAYG users, evaluating approaches to increase
digital literacy.
Conduct
digital literacy pilots with PAYG users, evaluating approaches to increase
digital literacy.
Learning, Knowledge
Management and Strategy
Management and Strategy
·
Proactively
share learning and progress with regional and Technical Support Unit (TSU)
leadership through bi-monthly email updates and other mechanisms identified by
TSU and regional leadership.
Proactively
share learning and progress with regional and Technical Support Unit (TSU)
leadership through bi-monthly email updates and other mechanisms identified by
TSU and regional leadership.
·
Develop
a clear vision and strategy for subsequent expansion of Mercy Corps’
market-based programming, including identification of other sectors and
products that could benefit West Nile host and refugee communities.
Develop
a clear vision and strategy for subsequent expansion of Mercy Corps’
market-based programming, including identification of other sectors and
products that could benefit West Nile host and refugee communities.
·
Liaise
with relevant stakeholders including the SCC, government ministries, donor
organizations, humanitarian clusters, local NGOs, project partners, and
community members to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps’
activities.
Liaise
with relevant stakeholders including the SCC, government ministries, donor
organizations, humanitarian clusters, local NGOs, project partners, and
community members to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps’
activities.
·
Facilitate
the compilation of lessons learned following the first round of pilots and
market testing, to share with global Mercy Corps and Power Africa Uganda
Accelerator, to improve future programming around PAYG energy and frontier
finance work.
Facilitate
the compilation of lessons learned following the first round of pilots and
market testing, to share with global Mercy Corps and Power Africa Uganda
Accelerator, to improve future programming around PAYG energy and frontier
finance work.
Resource
Development: Lead and/or
support proposal development and other fundraising activities that can expand
PAYG and other market-based programming in the West Nile.
Development: Lead and/or
support proposal development and other fundraising activities that can expand
PAYG and other market-based programming in the West Nile.
Team Management
·
Create a
work atmosphere that promotes professional development of people at all levels.
Create a
work atmosphere that promotes professional development of people at all levels.
·
Contribute
to team-building efforts across the Mercy Corps’ cash and market programs and encourage
the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
Contribute
to team-building efforts across the Mercy Corps’ cash and market programs and encourage
the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
·
Facilitate
training and management of staff, particularly national team members.
Facilitate
training and management of staff, particularly national team members.
Organizational
Learning: As part of the
commitment to organizational learning and in support of the understanding that
learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the
communities they serve, Mercy Corps expects all team members to commit 5% of
their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Learning: As part of the
commitment to organizational learning and in support of the understanding that
learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the
communities they serve, Mercy Corps expects all team members to commit 5% of
their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to
Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team
members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
to beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief
and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal
partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of field projects.
Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team
members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
to beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief
and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal
partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of field projects.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
·
The
ideal candidate will possess the following:
The
ideal candidate will possess the following:
·
Master’s
degree in economics, business, international development, social sciences,
international relations, or another relevant field preferred.
Master’s
degree in economics, business, international development, social sciences,
international relations, or another relevant field preferred.
·
At least
5+ years’ experience supporting or leading expansion of products and services
in an emerging/frontier market or challenging contexts.
At least
5+ years’ experience supporting or leading expansion of products and services
in an emerging/frontier market or challenging contexts.
·
Experience
managing digital financial services, PAYG energy or similarly complex products
that target low income consumers, OR experience supporting private sector
partners with product development and expansion.
Experience
managing digital financial services, PAYG energy or similarly complex products
that target low income consumers, OR experience supporting private sector
partners with product development and expansion.
·
Proven
experience working with individuals and teams to quickly build, test, and scale
business models, and jointly identify and prioritize key challenges.
Proven
experience working with individuals and teams to quickly build, test, and scale
business models, and jointly identify and prioritize key challenges.
·
Strong
organizational skills and a demonstrable track record of results and securing
funding and building partnerships.
Strong
organizational skills and a demonstrable track record of results and securing
funding and building partnerships.
·
A deep
understanding of the complexities of the challenges low-income communities
face, and the current efforts to solve them.
A deep
understanding of the complexities of the challenges low-income communities
face, and the current efforts to solve them.
·
Knowledge
of market facilitation principles and techniques as well as human centered
design principles.
Knowledge
of market facilitation principles and techniques as well as human centered
design principles.
·
Experience
with large international NGOs preferred.
Experience
with large international NGOs preferred.
·
Fluent
in written and spoken English. Conversant in Alur preferred.
Fluent
in written and spoken English. Conversant in Alur preferred.
·
Experience
working with the private sector and building shared value partnerships.
Experience
working with the private sector and building shared value partnerships.
Success Factors
·
The
successful Energy and Digital Finance Advisor will have the ability to multi-task,
set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will
demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be
committed to the values and mission of both Mercy Corps and Power Africa Uganda
Africa. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as
demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid
decisions while working remotely from country leadership.
The
successful Energy and Digital Finance Advisor will have the ability to multi-task,
set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will
demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be
committed to the values and mission of both Mercy Corps and Power Africa Uganda
Africa. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as
demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid
decisions while working remotely from country leadership.
·
The most
successful Mercy Corps and Power Africa Uganda Africa staff members have a
strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and
changing environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a
priority in all situations. Other success criteria include:
The most
successful Mercy Corps and Power Africa Uganda Africa staff members have a
strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and
changing environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a
priority in all situations. Other success criteria include:
·
Entrepreneurial
mindset and ability to build influential partnerships quickly, self-motivate.
Entrepreneurial
mindset and ability to build influential partnerships quickly, self-motivate.
·
Experience
with blended finance or and innovative financing models, especially in fragile
or nascent markets.
Experience
with blended finance or and innovative financing models, especially in fragile
or nascent markets.
·
Exceptional
project management skills.
Exceptional
project management skills.
·
Customer
centric outlook, proven experience with human-centered design thinking and
approaches.
Customer
centric outlook, proven experience with human-centered design thinking and
approaches.
·
Highly-developed
interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, and
coaching, especially with a market systems mindset.
Highly-developed
interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, and
coaching, especially with a market systems mindset.
·
Outstanding
relationship cultivation and management.
Outstanding
relationship cultivation and management.
·
Cultural
knowledge, sensitivity, respect, and a ‘Do no Harm’ mindset.
Cultural
knowledge, sensitivity, respect, and a ‘Do no Harm’ mindset.
·
A keen
focus on assisting in meeting primarily, Mercy Corps’ and secondarily, the
Power Africa Uganda Accelerator’s objectives.
A keen
focus on assisting in meeting primarily, Mercy Corps’ and secondarily, the
Power Africa Uganda Accelerator’s objectives.
·
A strong
empathy with the mission of Mercy Corps.
A strong
empathy with the mission of Mercy Corps.
Living Conditions/Environmental Conditions
The position is
based in Kampala and requires up to 50% travel to field locations. Security in
Kampala is generally good. Housing, health care, water, electricity, and
consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are good international
and domestic travel options from the Kampala Airport. Air and road travel is
necessary to get to some field locations. Mobile phone services are widely
available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices, although might be
inconsistent. Travel to field sites will be required where living conditions
are clean and secure, but basic.
based in Kampala and requires up to 50% travel to field locations. Security in
Kampala is generally good. Housing, health care, water, electricity, and
consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are good international
and domestic travel options from the Kampala Airport. Air and road travel is
necessary to get to some field locations. Mobile phone services are widely
available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices, although might be
inconsistent. Travel to field sites will be required where living conditions
are clean and secure, but basic.
How to Apply:
Applicants should
send a resume and cover letter by email to HR@pauesa.org with “Energy and Digital
Finance Advisor” in the subject line. The application deadline is December 31,
2018, but the employer reserves the right to fill the position earlier if a
suitable candidate is found.
send a resume and cover letter by email to HR@pauesa.org with “Energy and Digital
Finance Advisor” in the subject line. The application deadline is December 31,
2018, but the employer reserves the right to fill the position earlier if a
suitable candidate is found.
Deadline: 31st December 2018
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