Project Manager- Renewable Energy
Contract / TempJob Overview
Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.
High-Level Overview
Client is a regional leader in renewable energy access, operating in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Madagascar to accelerate electricity access in underserved communities through the delivery of solar PV and hybrid energy infrastructure projects financed by Results-Based Financing (RBF) grants, debt, and equity investments.
The client seeks a Project Manager to strengthen delivery discipline across its renewable energy portfolio. The role will introduce structured planning, risk management, and performance tracking mechanisms that enhance visibility and accountability across projects.
The Project Manager will oversee portfolio-level performance across ongoing and upcoming projects, starting with organizational readiness for a 2 MW power project in Kenya. Rather than managing project delivery directly, the consultant will focus on building systems and capacity to ensure consistent, transparent, and best-practice project execution across the organization. This includes developing tools, processes, and training that institutionalize sound project management standards ahead of future developments in Ethiopia and other markets.
Beyond these systems-strengthening efforts, the consultant will design and implement a capacity-building program for mid-level managers, embedding sustainable project management practices that strengthen long-term organizational performance.
Role and Responsibilities
Role: Project Manager- Renewable Energy
Direct Report: Managing Director, with a potential future transition to Group CTO
Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables:
1. Inception & Diagnostic
Direct Report: Managing Director, with a potential future transition to Group CTO
Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables:
1. Inception & Diagnostic
- Review ongoing projects and existing project management practices.
- Assess organizational capacity, identifying skill gaps among mid-level managers.
- Develop an inception report with recommendations for tools, processes, and training priorities.
2. Tools & Systems Development
- Adapt or introduce standardized project management tools (workplans, risk registers, dashboards).
- Establish consistent reporting frameworks for tracking progress, risks, and decisions.
- Build a monitoring cadence (stand-ups, reviews, Steering Committee updates).
3. Capacity Building
- Design and deliver a training program for 4–5 key managers.
- Provide mentoring and coaching on planning, risk management, and accountability.
- Facilitate lessons learned and knowledge-sharing across projects.
4. Project Oversight & Monitoring
- Track implementation of solar and hybrid projects, beginning with a 2 MW project in Kenya and upcoming initiatives in Ethiopia.
- Ensure deliverables are met on time, within scope, and aligned to donor and investor requirements.
- Keep leadership informed with concise reports and enforce accountability on agreed actions.
5. Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as liaison with donors, investors, and other partners.
- Ensure timely, accurate reporting and alignment on project milestones.
6. Sustainability & Handover
- Document tools, processes, and lessons learned into an internal Project Management Playbook.
- Recommend long-term improvements to strengthen organizational capacity beyond the assignment
Requirements
Experience Required:
- 10+ years’ professional experience, including at least 5 years managing infrastructure or renewable energy projects in African markets.
- Experience in both delivery and capability building in multicultural, resource-constrained environments.
- Proven track record delivering donor- and investor-funded projects, with expertise in Results-Based Financing frameworks.
- Experience building and institutionalising project management systems, including tools, processes, and capacity-building programmes.
- Experience working within organisations undergoing operational restructuring and scaling from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of service connections/customers.
- Track record of effective engagement with donors, investors, and government agencies in complex, multi-country contexts
Technical Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, International Development, or related field (Master’s preferred).
- Formal project management qualification (PMP®, PRINCE2®, or equivalent) – required.
- Familiarity with renewable energy project delivery (solar PV, hybrid systems).
- Strong proficiency in MS Excel, project planning software, and reporting tools
Other Skills:
- Fluent in English; proficiency in Swahili and/or Amharic advantageous but not required.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with a proven record in team capacity-building, sustainable systems development, and stakeholder engagement.
- Skilled in problem-solving and decision-making under pressure.
- Proactive, results-oriented, and committed to delivering high-quality outputs.
Working Arrangement
Location: Preferred base in Nairobi; full-time with regular travel to project sites in Kenya and Ethiopia
Language: English
Travel: Frequent travel to project sites in Kenya and Ethiopia (approx. 40–50% of time)
Terms of agreement:
Start Date: January 2026
Contracting Period: 12 months (extendable based on performance)
Location: Preferred base in Nairobi; full-time with regular travel to project sites in Kenya and Ethiopia
Language: English
Travel: Frequent travel to project sites in Kenya and Ethiopia (approx. 40–50% of time)
Terms of agreement:
Start Date: January 2026
Contracting Period: 12 months (extendable based on performance)