DeputyProgram Director, U.S.-East Africa Geothermal Partnership (EAGP)

Position Title:  DeputyProgram Director, U.S.-East Africa Geothermal Partnership (EAGP)

Location: Washington, DC

Category: Program Management, Technical Consulting, International Development

Term: Full-Time Position

# of Positions: One

Summary

The United States Energy Association (USEA) seeks an experienced Deputy Program Director with technical expertise in geothermal energy, international development experience, and knowledge of East Africa to assist with the management of a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project to advance geothermal energy development in East Africa and expand business opportunities for U.S. geothermal companies.

Project Description

The U.S.-East Africa Geothermal Partnership (EAGP) is a program sponsored by USAID and the U.S. Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), and is being implemented through the framework of an existing program that USAID has established with the U.S. Energy Association.  The EAGP seeks to highlight the development of geothermal energy resources in East Africa during 2012 and 2013 and encourage and facilitate the involvement of U.S. geothermal companies and experts in the region. The program mandate includes all East African countries with substantive geothermal resources, but will primarily focus on Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Other East African countries that could potentially be covered under EAGP include Djibouti, Comoros, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique.

The mission of the U.S.-East Africa Geothermal Energy Partnership is to improve standards of living in the Rift Valley region of East Africa (EA) through increased use of geothermal resources for power generation as well as direct use. This will be achieved by fostering collaboration and information exchange between African governments, Africa-based private companies and financial institutions, U.S. geothermal companies, U.S. Government agencies, U.S. educational institutions, private investors and other bilateral and multilateral agencies. The initiative includes the provision of U.S. technical, educational, and financial support to enable interested East African governments, through increased use of geothermal resources, to increase the reliability and to decrease the costs associated with their grid-based power generation systems, train host country geoscientists and engineers, build government and private sector capacity, promote private investment, and secure multiple environmental benefits.

Responsibilities

The Deputy Program Director will be responsible for assisting the Program Director with the planning, implementation, and reporting for the project.   Assistance with program management, technical direction, budget management, and oversight of at least one support staff are additional responsibilities.

Other key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serving as alternative  point-of-contact with USAID, GEA, and industry partners
• Developing and implementing project work plans and  activities
• Traveling up to 35% of the time to several countries in East Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and others
• Complying with all applicable U.S. Government , USAID and USEA regulations, policies and procedures affecting the project
• Assisting with the establishment and maintenance of  strong relationships with American geothermal energy companies, and securing their involvement in technical assistance, training and partnership activities as appropriate
• Tracking and reporting on performance indicators for program efficacy, including specific geothermal development and trade promotion achievements
• Assisting with the preparation and implementation of  informational seminars for E. African regional and U.S. representatives on programmatic, and technical  issues

The Deputy Program Director will also carry out tasks including:

• Working collaboratively with the GEA to establish and maintain a geothermal industry information collection and dissemination system to keep U.S. industry informed of geothermal business opportunities in East Africa
• Developing and maintaining a roster of active and interested, potential U.S. geothermal technical assistance partners
• Planning and hosting delegations of East African geothermal officials in the U.S. and third countries
• Preparation and publishing of digital and hard copy reference and marketing materials

The Deputy Program Director will report directly to the EAGP Program Director, and, will consult with the USEA International Energy Partnership Program Manager on administrative matters.  He/she will consult with the Director of USAID’s Africa Infrastructure Program as necessary.

Requirements

The ideal candidate would possess:

• Bachelor’s  degree or higher in engineering, business administration, economics, finance , African  studies, and/or international development
• At least 5 years of experience in program development and management, especially with U.S. Government programs (experience in Africa preferred)
• At least 5 years of energy sector experience, including basic knowledge of energy economics,  project financing, and geothermal operations
• Familiarity with the steps involved in geothermal project development (early stage geoscience through to plant commissioning/ operation and maintenance), issues related to public and private sector participation and U.S. geothermal company capabilities
• Demonstrated experience with project-related record keeping, reporting, and information collection, dissemination and filing/classification
• Previous work experience in a developing country (preferably, but not necessarily in Africa)

Required:

• Understanding of programs, policies, and politics of World Bank, IFC, AFDB, KfW, USTDA, USDOE, US ExIm Bank and USAID in relation to energy  development projects
• Good  written, verbal, and cross-cultural communication skills
• Ability to travel to developing countries 
• Valid U.S. passport

How to Apply

Candidates who meet the position requirements and are available to begin work in Spring 2013 should email a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Steve Hirsch, EAGP Program Director, U.S. Energy Association, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 550, Washington, DC 20004-3022 at shirsch@usea.org and to Andrew Palmateer at apalmateer@usea.org, no later than March 2, 2013.