Renewable Energy Markets Advisor at the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria (NCCN)

The National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria (NCCN) is a public-private sector partnership that aims to boost Nigeria's business competitiveness and ability to attract local and international investment. The Council’s role is to drive the process by which we improve Nigeria’s competitiveness.

The Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Program in partnership with the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria (NCCN), currently seek for qualified candidate to fill the position of:

Job Title: Renewable Energy Markets Advisor

Location: Nigeria

Project Background
The NCCN has entered into a cooperation agreement withAfrica-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Program (RECP). The RECP is a multi-donor programme that aims for market development for renewable energy in Africa. The programme is implemented by the Partnership Dialogue Facility of the EU Energy Initiative (EUEI PDF), with its management unit in Germany.

Under the RECP, a number of specific activities will be implemented to stimulate the development of the market for renewable energy in Nigeria with an initial focus on captive energy within businesses. There are no reliable statistics on captive generation but estimates are as high as 14-20 GW, which is up to five times the grid connected generation capacity. The cost of energy supply has a high impact on competitiveness of Nigerian companies.

The RECP is expected to run for at least 3 years (2015-2018), with a review after the first year (2015-16). Activities in Nigeria expected for the first year are:

• Market study on the market for RE in Nigeria, with a focus on the captive energy sector;
• Building a network of relevant Nigerian institutions and entrepreneurs;
• Scouting concrete opportunities for renewable energy, especially in the captive energy sector and megawatt scale, in Nigeria;
• Organise exchange between Nigerian and European entrepreneurs in renewable energy.

The National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria will establish the position of a Renewable Energy Market Advisor (REMA) to support the implementation of activities under the RECP in Nigeria in close cooperation with the EUEI PDF.

Job Summary
The REMA will support the NCCN/RECP partnership by developing and implementing activities to promote market development for renewable energy in Nigeria, and will be the contact point for RECP in Nigeria.

• Promote renewable energy as a viable, reliable and clean source of electricity among companies;
• Provide information to potential project developers in Europe and Nigeria on the Nigerian focal sector for RECP activities and identify specific project opportunities;
• Foster partnerships between European and Nigerian private sector stakeholders, both project developers and potential clients and investors; and
• Improve access to finance for RE project developers, both Nigerian and European.

Scope of Work
Task 1: Network and communication

The REMA will:

• Set out and agree with the RECP Project Manager the priorities and planning for the operationalisation of RECP in Nigeria.
• Develop, maintain and review constructive relationships with key stakeholders including a) Nigerian industry representatives (energy users and Nigeria RE suppliers); b) Government of Nigeria; c) International Development partners.
• Prepare monthly progress reports and attend two-weekly calls/meetings with the RECP Project Manager in Germany.

Task 2: Market information
The REMA will develop a thorough understanding of the market for renewable energy, particularly the captive energy market of Nigeria. The REMA will:

• Track and document specific developments within the Nigerian energy sector in relation to renewable energy, focusing on a) emerging RE investments in technology supply or power generation, b) constraints to RE, in particular from the perspective of major industry groups; c) important policy processes and announcements; and d) development assistance programmes supporting RE.
• Promote and enhance available databases of a) planned and implemented RE projects in the meso-scale category and b) RE experts, entrepreneurs and equipment and service suppliers. The databases will be developed under a separate agreement by an RECP consultant.
• Support RECP consultants and the RECP project manager during research, project scouting, event organisation and visits to Nigeria.
• In parallel, specialist RECP Market Study consultants (activity 1) will be assigned through an international tender. The REMA will support these consultants during their stay in Nigeria by providing practical assistance and arranging meetings with important stakeholders in the country.

Task 3: RE Promotion in Nigerian industry.
The REMA will act as a national champion for renewable energy within industry in Nigeria and will:

• Respond to requests for information about renewable energy in general, the RECP and its activities.
• Document routine interactions with government, industry associations and other partners, to be shared with the RECP Project Manager in Germany;
• Produce and actively disseminate targeted RECP briefings on project development and access to finance in co-ordination with partners (such as MAN, NACCIMA, SMEDAN and NASME) and the RECP Project Manager.

Task 4: NCCN Secretariat Support.

• Liaising with Partners, Sponsors, Government departments, Academics private sector, and other relevant organisations bodies on competitiveness and (renewable) energy
• Representing NCCN as delegated by the NCCN CEO in activities related to (renewable) energy
• Assisting in developing strategies for policy implementation in relation to renewable energy.

Time Frame

• This initial assignment is for the period covering 1st November, 2015 to 30th October, 2016 (12 months). The assignment may be extended based on satisfactory performance and expected further development of activities under the NCCN/RECP partnership.

Qualification
Applicant are expected to have:

• University Degree. Minimum second class upper
• Master's Degree (Desirable); in relevant field e.g Business, Marketing, Energy, Policy, Economics
• Knowledge of Nigerian, global and business competitiveness, as well as (renewable) energy
• Leadership skills
• Experience with business/programme development
• Qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills

Work Experience

• 5+ years of related experience; or any combination of education and experience, which would provide an equivalent background.
• Experience in finance, economic development and market development
• Experience in reporting/writing on economics, energy or industry Issues.
• Project management experience

Communication

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills along with a strong sense of political acuity to deal with a variety of sensitive issues.
• A strong negotiator who can influence others to find collaborative solutions for complex issues.
• Previous success in building and maintaining relationships with a cross-section of internal and external stakeholders to achieve a common understanding of and commitment to large scale initiatives at the National and sub-national level.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills for effective stakeholder and project relations.

Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge of government policy development and decision-making processes.
• An understanding of the energy sector and related legislation, acts, policies and best practices.
• An understanding of economics as well as finance and investment analysis.

Remuneration, Duration and Duty Station

• Remuneration is commensurate with education and experience with a very competitive package in line with International standards;
• This is a full time consultancy position at the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria for 12 months

Application Closing Date
18th September, 2015.

Final Interviews Date
28th and 29th of September, 2015.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should forward their CV's and cover letters to: [email protected]