Background:

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice. The organization provides research, development, and technical services to government and commercial clients in more than 75 countries.

Power Africa East Africa Energy Program is a four-year project working to increase on-grid electricity access, accelerate private sector investment, and improve the enabling environment of the power sector in East Africa. RTI International leads implementation of this Power Africa coordinated program, a U.S. Government-led partnership, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

RTI International is seeking to recruit an Energy Specialist to be based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania under the Power Africa East Africa Energy Program.

Job Summary

The Energy Specialist is expected to provide energy sector technical support to the Tanzanian and regional energy institutions, USAID East Africa, and USAID Tanzania mission in support of Power Africa goals to increase regional trade in Eastern Africa.

Overall Responsibilities:

The Energy Specialist will support the Power Africa East Africa Energy Program (EAEP) in the following objectives:

Objective 1: Optimized Power Supply: Under Objective 1, the Specialist will support the Tanzania Country Lead to monitor, report, and develop scopes of work for the advancement of generation, transmission, and legal/regulatory activities across Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), Attorney General Chamber, Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA), and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC). This activity requires weekly reporting on energy transactions (generation and transmission) in Tanzania and coordination with regional and international staff to advance activities. The Specialist will also manage all workplan activities under Objective 1 at an operational, day-to day level.

Objective 4: Increased Regional Power Trade: Under Objective 4, the Specialist will support the Senior Power Pool Advisor (based in Addis Ababa) in providing operational readiness, capacity building, and other technical support to the regional bodies, utilities, regulators and their ministries to achieve increased regional power trade. The candidate will undertake a combination of technical and advisory work that will require reporting, analysis, writing and presenting.

Specific responsibilities:

Collaborate effectively with Tanzania and Regional team by providing technical assistance to various stakeholders in the region.
Draft reports, conduct analyses, and make presentations on different topics that will be serving as deliverables to management, USAID, and other stakeholders.
Assist in coordinating activities in Tanzania.
Support training and capacity building efforts for various stakeholders including regional bodies, utilities, regulators and ministries.
Manage sub-contractor responsibilities, timelines, and budgets for delivery of products to clients.
Support weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting to management, including updating of the EAEP transactions tracker.
Provide project management and coordination support including meeting read-outs, technical reports, presentations, briefings, and other deliverables.

Required minimum qualification and experience:

Minimum bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, civil engineering, or other relevant degree.
Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the power sector; preferably with focus on transmission planning or operations, and power sector regulation. Experience with private sector investment with a preference for experience in East Africa.
Strong knowledge of regional power sector is essential. Knowledge of East Africa is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Excellent English language proficiency required – both reading, writing, and speaking.
Strong understanding of power systems and power markets.
Strong listening, oral and written communication skills and client management skills. The ability to communicate at multiple levels in the organization; and the ability to coordinate activities with officials from host country government, NGO’s and other agencies.
Ability to build effective relationships with all clients, peers, and stakeholders.
Ability to work hands-on, independently, and with the team.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team-oriented setting.
Excellent computer skills: Word, Excel and PowerPoint and presentation skills.
Proficiency in power system analysis software’s: PSS/E or DigSilent and any other. Operations experience is preferred.