Country: Lesotho
Closing date: 31 Mar 2018
Positive Planet International seeks to engage a Project Manager for a new ‘access to energy and economic development’ project in Lesotho.
Positive Planet International
Positive Planet International (PPI) was created out of the growth and transformation of Planet Finance, a non-profit organisation created in 1998 with a mandate to alleviate poverty through access to financial services and inclusive markets. PPI’s mission is to create conditions of a better world for future generations all over the world. Its headquarters are located in Paris, France, and its activities are carried out in more than 40 countries, managed by local branches in Africa, Europe and in the Middle East.
PPI prioritises seven key areas: access to entrepreneurship, access to financial services, access to markets, access to energy, access to education, access to water, sanitation, housing and access to health and mobilises its experts in these sectors.
http://www.positiveplanet.ngo/en/
Positive Planet Internationalin Southern and East Africa
PPI’s Southern and East Africa Regional office is based in Johannesburg, in South Africa, managing projects in many countries in the region such as South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania and Lesotho.
PPI started its operations in South Africa in 2008 in Cape Town with a three-year EU funded project and throughout the past decade has worked on different projects primarily with a focus on development finance.
Project Description
Context: The Kingdom of Lesotho has a population of 2.2 million people (World Bank, 2016). This mountainous, land-locked country was recognised by the World Economic Forum, in 2013, for being in the top 10 countries in Africa in terms of gender equality, setting it apart in the region. Lesotho is an agrarian society: 50% of the rural population relies on farming as their main livelihood source, of which 90% are subsistence farmers, and up to 80% of the population engage in some form of agricultural activity (Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), 2016). The available statistics on energy access vary considerably, from at best 27% of the country’s population having access to electricity (World Bank 2014) to just over 20% (Trading Economics 2016). This is significantly lower in rural areas at an estimated 10% (compared to 47% in urban areas). There is a high reliance on biomass (35%) and fossil fuels (38%), with current renewable energy access levels being very low (4%).
Overall objective: The project seeks to contribute to the socio-economic development of rural households in Lesotho through access to energy efficient and renewable energy (EERE) services and technologies. The main mechanism for achieving this objective is to establish a sustainable social enterprise that will distribute the needed EERE technology to rural populations to meet differing needs.
Specific objective: For at least one household energy need to be met within 5,000 rural households in five Districts of Lesotho through the distribution of EERE technology solutions on a sustainable basis, by Rural Self-help Development Agency (RSDA).
Partner: RSDA, a well-established NGO in Lesotho is partnering with PPI on this project. It works to empower rural Basotho communities to develop their self-initiative, self-determination and self-responsibility. Since 1991, RSDA has supported rural Basotho with a focus on sustainable agriculture, natural resource management and other initiatives to help rural Basotho graduate out of extreme poverty.
Funder: European Union
Job description
The Project Manager, will be based in Maseru and report to the Project Director in Johannesburg. The Project Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project activities and attainment of the Project objectives. He/she will provide oversight to the project team and will be responsible for coordination with the project partner (RSDA) and other stakeholders and service providers.
Specific tasks and responsibilities of the Project Manager will include:
Project Management – 90%
Coordinating and supervising the implementation of the activities as per the Project Logical Framework, Proposal, Financial Proposal and Contract
Providing technical leadership to achieve the objectives, outcomes and outputs of the Project
Playing an advisory role with the Partner to ensure knowledge transfer on the business model, EERE technology and all aspects of promoting the sustainability of the EERE social enterprise
Ensuring an effective partnership with RSDA and other stakeholders involved in the project
Leading the drafting of deliverables in collaboration with the team
Leading the financial and technical reporting to the EU and other funders in collaboration with the team
Monitoring the project expenditures and evidence according to the budget in collaboration with the Finance Officer and the Internal Auditor
Delivering monthly internal reports and periodic reporting to the EU delegation or other stakeholders as required
Working very closely with the Monitoring & Evaluation Officer ensuring the attainment of the targets and the capturing of the relevant data
Reporting to the Project Director
Managing the Junior Research Associate
Ensuring adherence to PPI as well as EU’s procedures in project implementation
Business Development & PPI’s representation – 10%
Contributing to local communication actions linked to the project as per the Proposal
Organising and participating in different Project Committees
Screening of business opportunities for potential extension of the project or other new business opportunities for PPI in Lesotho and the region
Representing PPI in Lesotho and the region at workshops, seminars or conferences
Qualifications and experience
Master Degree in Project Management/Economics or other related fields
At least 7 years of relevant professional experience, preferably more
Knowledge of energy efficient or renewable energy concepts and technology
Knowledge of sales and marketing or BOP distribution channels
Experience in community mobilisation and capacity building
Previous experience as Project Manager is required
Previous experience in Africa is required
Previous experience with the EU is highly preferable
Experience, skills and training in renewable energy
Fluency in English – high proficiency in English (both written and spoken)
Fluency in Sesotho preferable (spoken)
Computer literacy in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint essential
Ability to work in a team but also comfortable working autonomously and independently with minimum supervision
Excellent communication and management skills
Ability to adapt leadership style according to the situation
Conditions
Localisation: Maseru, Lesotho (in the premises of the partner RSDA) with regular missions to the PPI Southern and East Africa Regional Office in Johannesburg, South Africa
Duration: 36 months (from 1st March 2018 until 29th February 2021)
Compensation:** Commensurate with experience and in line with Positive Planet International salary grid
How to apply:
Contact
Please send your Cover Letter and Resume in English to recrut@positiveplanet.ngo .
