Earn 13m monthly as Sector Specialist: Renewable Energy – Department for International Trade at British High Commission (BHC)
Job Title: Sector Specialist: Renewable Energy – Department for International Trade
Organization: British High Commission (BHC)
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Salary: UGX 13,792,022/= monthly
Office Notice No.: 08/20 KPL
About US:
The British High Commission is the diplomatic liaison office that aims to develop and maintain close bilateral relations with Uganda, in accordance with British government policies. The British High Commission is responsible for the political relationship between the UK and Uganda, and we provide advice and guidance on political and governance issues. BHC provides assistance and documentary services to British nationals in Uganda. The UK Trade and Investment Section provides assistance to both British and Ugandan businesses.
Job Summary: The Sector Specialist: Renewable Energy – Department for International Trade will support Africa’s exciting economic growth and position at the heart of the future world economy. This is an exciting time to join DIT Africa, as we continue to expand our resources to deliver on the ambition of our current Government to be Africa’s trade and investment partner of choice.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Renewable energy, including generation from the full suite of subsectors (wind, solar, waste, biofuel, geothermal etc) and clean storage, is one of six sector priorities in 2020/21 for the Department for International Trade in Africa. The Sector will be led by a Sector Director working with a virtual team across the continent. You will support that team in each location with expert understanding of African renewable energy needs, practices and regulations. You will also work closely with our Sector Director on power, oil and gas and energy efficiency, and our specialist in the green economy (non-power generation multi-sector transition to low carbon).
- You will understand African renewables needs intimately and be able to translate those to officials less familiar with the sector. You will forge close relationships with African regulators, developers and companies such that you can interpret their needs and develop solutions with and for them. You will look for all opportunities to encourage transition to renewable technologies and will seek to help Africa find the regulatory and tariff structures to incentivise that change. You will seek first and foremost to progress their plans and assist in their capability, but you will have a good knowledge of international best practice to contribute.
- You will bring a commercial perspective to the sector trying to find the areas where commercial, investment or regulatory intervention could improve the sustainability and viability of African energy supply. This will be in complement to other actors for the British Government, with whom you will forge close working relationships, whose primary interests might be in e.g. climate resilience and/or emissions reductions. You will work to understand the contribution of our International Climate Finance, Green Finance, DFID and other programmes, so that DIT can support these while also adding value in its commercial and trade policy sphere.
- Together with expertise in renewables delivery, you will also understand financing models (including from UK Government partners including UKEF and DFID), advising on approach for individual schemes.
- Your aim will be to help African energy decision-makers understand where a commercial renewables application could deliver on or raise their ambition. You will understand the contribution of all the sub-sectors of renewable power generation and will be familiar with on-grid and off-grid solutions. You will also advise on power storage solutions to suit national and local power generation plans.
- You will not be so concerned as colleagues with aligning African plans to UK solutions, but it would help to understand UK capabilities, public and private, especially in the area of research and innovation. For this you would make connections to the UK’s innovation centres and support work that could have mutual benefit in bringing ground-breaking techniques to Africa.
- Your role will be advisory, but you would be expected to show a clear contribution to relationship development with African developers, to trade policy gains helping African transition to renewables, and to the upskilling of our network as they better understand how to target solutions for African needs.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant for the British High Commission (BHC) Sector Specialist: Renewable Energy – Department for International Trade job must hold an undergraduate degree and other relevant professional qualification or experience.
- At least six years’ experience working in renewables or related power generation fields
- Experience of working in or with government departments, NGOs, and similar institutions
- Proven track record of cross-team collaboration
- A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges.
- Knowledge of, and a keen interest in the renewables field and its applicability to Africa
- Knowledge of African markets and/or African energy needs in the context of sustainable development.
- Understanding of UK Export Finance and Development Finance, although training will be provided.
- Knowledge of, and a keen interest in ODA programming and sustainable development
- Competencies: Making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial Outcomes
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates who wish to join the British High Commission in the aforementioned capacity should apply by clicking on the link below.
Deadline: 29th July 2020