Macrosolar Project Coordinator Job Vacancy: Solar Aid

This is a unique opportunity to join a new, innovative and fast-growing NGO tackling global poverty and climate change through solar power.

You will have excellent project management and people skills with experience of working on solar projects in Africa.

You will be a team player yet capable of working independently.

Job Title: Macrosolar Project Coordinator
Location: Nairobi, Kenya (With frequent travel to rural areas)

Reporting to: Country Manager
Salary: Negotiable, dependant on experience.

Length: One year contract with possible extension

About SolarAid

SolarAid is an innovative and fast-growing charity that aims to enable the world’s poorest people to have access to clean, renewable power.

In Kenya, SolarAid is operating a programme which facilitates the installation of solar systems on medical clinics and schools in areas not served by the electricity grid.

To find out more, go to www.solar-aid.org

Mission for this post

The mission of this post is to play a leading role in the implementation of SolarAid’s macrosolar projects in Kenya which will aim to bring solar systems to over 80 rural institutions.

Objectives for this post for first 12 months

• Facilitate installation of 20 solar systems on schools and 10 clinics
• Recruit a team of A-player interns and staff to which will successfully implement the macrosolar project
• Adopt and develop SolarAid’s macrosolar operations manual
• Identify key areas in which to work and form key alliances with partner organisations and relevant government institutions

Duties and Responsibilities

A. Project Management

• Develop and implement robust and ambitious project implementation timeline and strategy in line with SolarAid macrosolar approach document
• Work closely with the UK programmes team to ensure consistency with SolarAid UK
• Oversee robust M&E system which enables SolarAid to document and learn from each installation
• Identify and implement most cost effective method of installing quality solar systems on communal infrastructure in Kenya
• Identify 20 schools, 5 clinics which meet installation criteria and arrange installations (Note: You will need to identify many more institutions than this and together with the SolarAid team, select the best/ most appropriate sites.
• Make all necessary links with national and local government
• Ensure that end of year targets are met.

B. Team Management

• Together with Country Manager, recruit a team of A-player interns and staff in Kenya using the Topgrading process.
• Supervise the performance of macrosolar team staff through the setting of the performance targets and regularly reviewing them together with staff.
• Regularly report to country manager.

C. Other responsibilities

• Adhere to and ensure the team follows SolarAid policies and procedures, especially with regard to Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities and other personnel matters
• All posts within SolarAid are self-servicing with regard to administration.

Person Specification

Skills/ knowledge

• Proven knowledge and experience of implementing solar projects in Africa
• Demonstrated ability to take the initiative, lead on project implementation
• Ability to write regular reports for both SolarAid and donor use
• Demonstrated skills in leadership and management
• Ability to prepare budgets and to monitor expenditure against budgets
• Strong people skills with ability to support, supervise and motivate professional staff
• Able to make decisions, take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the decisions made
• Excellent communication, representational and negotiation skills
• Excellent oral and written English
• Computer literacy (project planning, spreadsheets, word processing, email/internet)

Experience

• Experience of managing human and financial resources that demonstrates ability to set objectives, monitor and evaluate progress and outcomes
• Experience of working/living in rural African communities

Other

• Commitment to and sympathy with SolarAid’s purpose, vision and values
• Participative and collaborative working approach
• Working and residency rights in Kenya

Terms and conditions

• Full-time
• Probationary period: three months, after which there will be a review and confirmation in post or otherwise.
• Notice period: one week within probationary period, one month thereafter.
• Annual leave: 25 days
• Length: one year contract with possible extension.
• Opportunities for training and personal development will be made available.
• The employee will have a contract of employment containing more details of the terms and conditions relating to the post.
• This is a mid level position

Deadline for applications: 12th February 2010

Applicants are invited send completed application forms together with a concise covering letter which clearly explains how you meet the criteria set out in this job description to: recruitment @ solar-aid.org

Please include entitle you email according to following format: Your Name Macrosolar Kenya e.g. David Maina Macrosolar Kenya

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