Consultant, Team Leader (International Expert) - Energy Support Program (NESP III) at Mercy Corps Nigeria

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, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant, Team Leader (International expert) - Energy Support Program (NESP III)

Location: Nigeria / Africa
Employment Type: Contract
Project: International Consultancy for the Development of Off Grid Renewable Energy Projects

The Program / Department / Team

• Energy 4 Impact is Mercy Corps’ platform for shaping market systems in clean energy access.
• We work at the intersection of policy and institutions, enterprise growth and finance, ecosystem coordination, and evidence and market intelligence.
• Our comparative advantage lies in blending the advisory capabilities of a specialist firm with the geographic presence and community reach of an NGO.
• We translate programme investment into strategic, market-credible solutions: building the conditions under which private investment flows into previously high-risk energy access markets.

Purpose / Project Description

• Energy 4 Impact is seeking an internationally experienced Team Leader to support the Nigerian Energy Support Programme(NESP III) in the development of off grid renewable energy projects.

Consultant Objectives

• The Team Leader will provide overall strategic and leadership to a pool of technical and transactional advisory experts.
• This senior expert will guide a multidisciplinary team, ensure high quality delivery of advisory services, and work closely with public and private sector partners to strengthen enabling environments for renewable energy deployment.
• The role requires deep sector expertise, proven leadership in complex donor funded programs, and extensive international experience.

Consultant Activities
The Consultant will undertake the following responsibilities:

• Provide overall responsibility and direction for all advisory packages delivered under the assignment.
• Ensure coherence, complementarity, and alignment of contractor services with other project activities at both national and local levels.
• Support GIZ in refining and adapting project strategies, contributing to evaluations, and preparing for potential follow on phases.
• Provide managerial leadership to a multidisciplinary team of experts, including identifying needs for short term assignments, planning and managing inputs, and supporting technical delivery.
• Oversee quality assurance for all outputs, ensuring timely,high quality deliverables that meet client standards.
• Ensure coordinated, efficient, and results oriented implementation.
• Lead the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of capacity development measures for government institutions, utilities, regulators, and other local partners.
• Integrate cross cutting themes—such as gender equality, inclusion, and climate resilience—into all advisory and capacity building activities.
• Ensure that monitoring procedures are systematically applied and that results inform adaptive management.
• Oversee financial planning and ensure appropriate use of funds in close consultation with the client.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, administrative, and reporting requirements, including regular progress reporting in line with agreed deadlines.

Consultant Deliverables
The Consultant will deliver the following:

• A consolidated advisory strategy and delivery plan outlining the overall approach, priorities, sequencing, and integration of all advisory packages.
• Comprehensive workplan, approved by the donor,covering all contractor inputs, expert assignments, timelines, and inter dependencies.
• Refined and updated project strategies developed jointly with GIZ, reflecting lessons learned, contextual changes, and emerging opportunities.
• Contributions to MidTerm Reviews, Evaluations, and Follow On Phase Concept Notes, including analytical inputs and recommendations.
• A team co-ordination and management plan updated regularly and detailing roles, responsibilities,short term expert needs, and deployment schedules.
• Regular progress reports (monthly, quarterly, or as agreed)summarizing achievements, challenges, risks, and next steps.
• Quality-assured technical deliverables submitted on time and meeting all client requirements.
• Results- oriented implementation reports and progress dashboards demonstrating progress toward outcomes and alignment with project objectives.
• Periodic learning and adaptation briefs showing how monitoring insights inform decision making and adjustments.
• Financial plans and budget forecasts,prepared regularly and inconsultation with the client.
• Financial compliance and expenditure reports (to accompanythe regular progress reports)ensuring transparent and appropriate use of funds.

Timeframe / Schedule:

• This assignment will take no longerthan48daysbetweenMay 2026 to December 2027, subject to performance and fund availability throughout this period.
• The consultant will report to the Senior Technical Analyst, Energy 4 Impact.

The Consultant will work closely with:

• The MEL and Reporting Expert, other technical and finance experts in the project, experts from implementing partner,the government counterparts, the finance and operations team,

Required Experience & Skills
Education:

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent, e.g., German Diploma) in Engineering relevant to energy, renewable energy, power systems, or energy economics / markets.

Languages:

• Excellent command of English (C1 level, CEFR).

Professional Experience:

• General: Minimum of 12 years professional experience in the power sector, working with both public and private entities. At least 3 of these years must have been acquired within the last 5 years.
• Specific: At least 10 years of experience in renewable energy project development, 5 of which in rural electrification projects.
• Leadership & management: Minimum 10 years of management experience leading teams of three or more people in projects, companies, or organizations. 5 of which involved managing teams within donor-funded projects.
• International and regional experience. At least 5 years of professional experience in two countries outside the West Arica region, with at least one year spent in each country
• Regional experience: Minimum 8 years of professional experience in West Africa, 4 of which in Nigeria
• At least 8 years of experience working on development cooperation projects.

Team Engagement and Effectiveness:

• Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate.
• By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation.
• We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.
• We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Application Closing Date
6th March, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Equal Employment Opportunity:

• Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics:

• Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity.
• We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members.
• As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Note

• Appointment is contingent on winning tender
• Candidate should commit to availability from May 2026.