Project Manager- Solar Pledge East Africa

Background:

HORIZONT3000 is the Austrian Organization for Development Cooperation.

The organization specializes in the assistance, coordination and monitoring of projects and programmes as well as in the provision of technical expertise in countries of the global south. HORIZONT3000 assists over 150 projects (through funding and experts) in 14 countries in Africa, Latin America and Oceania. Thematically, HORIZONT3000 focuses on two sectors: Civil Society and Human Rights Capacity Building as well as Rural Development and Natural Resources Management with Gender equality as a cross-cutting issue.

HORIZONT3000 interventions target the most vulnerable population groups, such as smallholder farmers, marginalised women, children and youth, human rights groups as well as indigenous populations. Through its presence in the regional and country offices, HORIZONT3000 cooperates and engages through an open and constructive dialogue with local partner organisations and beneficiaries guaranteeing a participatory approach and ensuring relevance and sustainability.

Solar Pledge East Africa (SPEA) project:

The SPEA aims to become a permanent renewable energy initiative of Horizont3000, coordinated by its regional office in East Africa. This initiative will begin its pilot project with 2 initial partners, the Archdiocese of Gulu and the Diocese of Lodwar in Uganda and Kenya, for the first three years. Based on the experiences and developments during this pilot, the programme will be expanded to include more partners.

The overarching goal of the project is to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, in particular SDG 7, as well as Laudato Si and the National Development Plans of Uganda and Kenya. Three main outputs will be achieved:

• Transnational renewable energy support platform (O1): This will include the establishment of strategic collaborations, alignment with national and international policies, market research to build a pool of companies/experts for future interventions, and targeted interventions to increase the fundraising capacity of partner dioceses.
• Integrated Energy Planning / Mainstreaming (O2): Focuses on equipping dioceses with the necessary tools to integrate renewable energy into their operations and strategic planning. With the support of HORIZONT3000 technical advisors, these activities focus on building human and institutional capacity, including renewable energy strategies for the dioceses, with particular attention to health and education departments.
• Solar Energy for Diocesan Institutions (O3): This output targets the practical implementation, repair, upscaling and maintenance of solar energy systems. Activities under R3 will address the challenges of long-term operation and maintenance of energy systems, and the clear need for upscaling and repair of solar systems within dioceses.

In order to deliver on the project outputs, HORIZONT3000 is seeking to recruit a suitably qualified, self- motivated and hardworking person for the position of Project Manager

Purpose of the position

The project manager is responsible for the implementation of the project named: “Solar Pledge East Africa – Empowering catholic dioceses and changing lives” This includes the daily management of the project, the planning of activities and communication with various internal and external stakeholders including the 2 partner organizations Archdiocese of Gulu and Diocese of Lodwar in Uganda and Kenya Respectively.
Reports to

The project Manager reports to Programs Manager Co-Financing East Africa and and receives technical assistance from the Programmes Coordinator based in Vienna.

Key Outputs

• Solar Pledge East Africa well implemented
• Solar partners supported to successfully implement the activities of the program
• Establishment of Solar Pledge East Africa Platform and SPEA Network
• Implementation of energy planning and energy mainstreaming in the partner dioceses.
• Development of further projects within the program
• Monitoring of solar infrastructure intervention within the dioceses
• Project partners’ actions followed (proposals, fund requests and accountability) followed through.
• Project Narrative and Financial reports made

Key Tasks

• Facilitate regular online meetings with the Solar Pledge East Africa Team (energy officers and technical advisors of the dioceses)
• Create a conducive environment for the implementation of the project
• Daily project management through planning, scheduling and tracking project timelines and milestones
• Liaise with project stakeholders and partners an on-going basis to proactively manage changes and identify potential risks.
• Setting-up and maintaining a SPEA Platform (networking, creating partnerships, market research, digital interface)
• Monitor the energy and sector analysis of the dioceses
• Coordinate the process of the creation and implementation of renewable energy guidelines and strategies in the dioceses
• Conduct monitoring visits in Gulu and Lodwar
• Support the HORIZONT3000 finance department in monitoring the budget
• Ensure project implementation is compliant with HORIZONT3000 financial management policy
• Continuous exchange and follow-up the progress of the implementation of the three project areas, platform building, energy mainstreaming and solar infrastructure in the partner dioceses in Lodwar and Gulu.
• Capture project experiences using appropriate methods
• Capture, develop and share project content to the HORIZONT3000 PR department in Vienna
• Ongoing documentation, writing of semi-annual project reports

Job Specification

Academic Qualifications.

• Post graduate Diploma in Project planning and management or in Renewable Energy or a related field in a reputable university
• Knowledge and understanding of renewable energy technologies, promoting energy mainstreaming and energy planning.
• At least 3 years’ proven experience in project management and coordination of green energy projects
• Team worker, strong communication and writing skills, networking ability
• Experience in working with catholic Dioceses or Catholic institutions is an advantage
• A very good command of verbal and written English and fluency in Kiswahili is an added advantage

Personal Specification

• Strong interpersonal relations skills
• Strong networking, coordination and analytical skills
• Self-driven personality who can work under minimal supervision and deliver results in time and in budget
• Good team player
• Flexibility and travel willingness
• Proficient in Microsoft Office packages (especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint)