Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons (MEH) Support Implementation Advisor

Job Description

Chemonics seeks a Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons (MEH) Support Implementation Advisor for the USAID Empower Southern Africa (ESA) project. ESA is a 5-year regional program that covers South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros and Sao Tome and Principe. The primary purpose of ESA is to increase the availability of access to, and use of affordable, reliable, sustainable and clean energy in Southern Africa in order to reach measurable development outcomes. Measurable development outcomes include economic growth, reducing poverty, improving livelihoods, and increasing inclusive access to electricity-enabled services in such areas as health, education, sanitation, and food security. This position will be based in Madagascar. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people and communities around the world.

ESA will provide MEH with embedded support to manage their energy access programs, coordinating with various off-grid programs, in particular the World Bank Least-Cost Electricity Access Development Project (LEAD) and the Digital and Energy Connectivity for Inclusion in Madagascar Project , and supporting the implementation of the free solar kit distribution program and solar home system (SHS) results-based financing (RBF) program. The embedded advisor will ensure that the various programs remain aligned with and adhere to the guidelines established in collaboration with the World Bank, Intervention Fund for Development (FID), and its partners. The role includes monitoring the collaboration with public and private sector partners for all stages of the RBF and social distribution processes. The MEH Support Implementation Advisor will identify and address issues in real-time, ensuring prompt decision-making, and supporting contract management with the fund manager, Odyssey, and the IVA (Independent Verification Agent), in addition to the social distribution contractual parties, including UNOPS and the companies providing after-sales service to beneficiaries, which will be directly contracted by MEH.

Given the complexity of implementing the two programs in parallel, and the importance of adhering to the guidelines developed with the World Bank, FID and its partners, the embedded advisor will have on-the-ground presence to ensure that any challenges can be quickly identified and resolved to help minimize delays and enhance the efficiency of fund management, ultimately leading to better outcomes for both streams.

Responsibilities include:

• Oversight of the implementation of both the RBF and the social distribution of solar kits components of the programme
• Identify key challenges and propose mitigation actions and a resolution plan
• Coordinate private sector, donors, government agencies, and civil society stakeholders to ensure the beneficiaries mapping and targeting remains consistent and coherent, considering the input of all parties
• Gather and review quantitative and qualitative program performance data
• Provide program performance data analysis to stakeholders
• Maintain a risk, challenges and mitigation plan
• Prepare monthly progress updates with information on targets achieved by both programs, problems encountered, solutions enacted, risks identified, mitigation measures implemented, and next steps for implementation
• Schedule bi-weekly meetings with key stakeholders to review the progress update report and highlight major concerns / challenges including the recommended resolution plan

Qualifications, Experience and Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience; work with World Bank and experience with Government of Madagascar preferred
• Demonstrated ability to deliver implementation support to off-grid programs with resourcefulness in problem-solving
• French language proficiency required
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Communicates clearly and concisely in both verbal and written communications; strong cross-culture communication and sensitivity skills
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility and integrity