Power Africa Energy Specialist

 The Power Africa Energy Specialist is responsible for management of USG and Power Africa activities in the US Embassy Luanda energy portfolio.  The Specialist advises the Energy Officer, USAID General Development Office Chief, Ambassador, Political/Economic Counselor, Mission Director, and others on Angolan economic development issues, with a major focus on energy policy, energy efficiency, and energy infrastructure.  The Specialist contributes to the design and planning of USG energy programs, and participates actively in the Mission decision-making process for designing, drafting, and soliciting contracts and grants for carrying out the Power Africa Program.  The Specialist conceptualizes and articulates energy and economic growth strategies, and implements, monitors, and evaluates existing and new Energy programs/projects/activities.  The Specialist utilizes knowledge of the Angolan energy sector, and of infrastructure issues in Angola and the region; maintains contacts for Mission management in the Angolan government (GRA), the donor community, with civil society organizations, with implementing partners (IPs), and with other stakeholders; reports on Energy sector progress to ENR at the State Department, USAID/Washington, and the Power Africa office in Pretoria, and contributes to annual reporting documents.  The Specialist reports directly to the Energy Officer and receives oversight from the Political-Economic Counselor.

                                                                            

The Specialist supports the  development  and design of  the overall Mission energy sector strategy; designs and implements programs/projects/activities that facilitate energy efficiency, improved energy policy and accountability, and energy infrastructure improvements, including fuel supply and renewable energy; serves as COR/AOR for grants and contracts; formulates, administers, monitors, and evaluates the energy portfolio; monitors and evaluates on-going programs; prepares performance reports, briefing papers, concept papers, and other periodic documentation for the Mission, Embassy, and Power Africa; drafts and analyzes technical documentation needed to develop the energy strategy, obligate funds, and award grants and contracts; and, serves as a member on various Technical Evaluation Committees (TECs), including those for proposal review and the hiring of personnel.  The Specialist represents the Office in discussions with IPs and other donors; assists the Energy Officer and Program Office Director in coordination of visiting VIPs and others in public meetings, field trips, and discussions with Angolan officials and partner organizations; advises on other bilateral and regional interests; acts as a first point-of-contact for entities interested in contributing to the goals of Power Africa; and establishes and maintains necessary contacts for Mission management in the GRA, the private and non-governmental sectors, universities, research institutions, and within the donor community.

A Bachelor’s Degree in engineering (any), business, public administration, public policy, international affairs, energy policy, mathematics, physics, chemistry, environmental science, environmental policy, or renewable energy is required. 

  A high level of technical expertise in the sector is required. The ability to effectively communicate complicated policy, strategy, and program issues orally and in writing is required.  The Specialist must have good interpersonal, coordination, and project management skills; be able to coordinate successfully with counterparts throughout the Embassy, to advance program/project/activity interests; and, use good judgment in speaking on behalf of the Mission in meetings with senior GRA officials, representatives from NGOs, and other donors and in conferences, seminars, workshops, and similar events; and, possess good organizational and management skills