Job description

About the Role

The role of the Junior Engineer is to assist in all manner of technical planning and development required for small-scale renewable power generation facilities, including small hydro and biomass generation, and rural distribution grids in Tanzania and throughout rural East Africa. The successful candidate will be driven by the potential for creating large-scale positive impact by electrifying rural areas and will demonstrate solid technical knowledge and understanding, close attention to detail, and keen interest to expand his or her skills with on-the-job training. The position will report to a team of senior engineers and development managers with extensive experience in relevant engineering projects. 

Duties will include a technical evaluation of potential projects, collecting data from and about potential project sites, conducting or facilitating tests related to resource assessment, application for necessary permits and licenses, community liaison in project areas and their surroundings, and generally providing support for the senior project engineers and development team. 

By nature of being a start-up company, the Junior Engineer will also be expected to contribute to the development of the company and support the general business needs of the company. 

The Junior Engineer will be based in Dar es Salaam though will be expected to frequently travel to project sites in rural areas within Tanzania and greater East Africa. It is envisioned that the Junior Engineer will work closely with and report to the engineering and development teams in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

General Management

• Evaluating the technical viability of potential projects by visiting and documenting potential sites’ technical characteristics, and assisting with carrying out or review of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies
• Creating presentations, project reports, and technical analyses for internal and external audiences, including partners, investors, governments, financing sources, and others
• Gathering and analyzing technical data on projects and potential sites 
• Working with local communities to help them understand the technical and developmental aspects of proposed power generation and distribution projects
• Preparing applications, documents, and conducting personal communications in support of project development related to required government licenses and permits, agreements with local communities, and liaising with other stakeholders 
• Organizing and coordinating local labor to assist in conducting basic engineering site tests
• Conducting preliminary drafting of project design drawings
• Assisting senior engineers in preparation of the technical components of project proposals, specifications, scope of works (SOWs), competitive bid request for quotes (RFQs), and other tendering-related documents
• Assisting senior engineers in the procurement, source inspection, and final inspection of engineered equipment for projects
• Working on-site with the project construction managers, and supervising quality control, engineered equipment installation and commissioning by all third party contractors during project development

About the Applicant

Education and Experience

The ideal candidate would have the following experience: 

• Bachelor's degree in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering (Master’s degree a plus, but not required)
• 2+ years of renewable power project development and/or related electrical distribution and transmission experience (both design office and field) 

Competencies

The ideal candidate would have the following competencies:

• Effective organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize processes and schedules, develop sound project plans, conduct constructability, operability, maintainability reviews and juggle multiple assignments with competing deadlines

• High level of intellectual curiosity with the ability to work independently in a self-directed, entrepreneurial environment

• Ability to excel in a collaborative, technical, cross-functional and geographically diverse organization
• Ability to work well in rural environments and collaborate with rural communities across East Africa
• Maturity, professionalism, integrity, and excellent technical, intercultural, and communication skills
• Strong written and spoken English and Kiswahili skills are required (other languages a plus)