SNV is a Dutch based international Development Organisation that provides Capacity Development Services to local institutions and organizations in more than 30 developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Present in Ghana since 1992, SNV is committed to the reduction of poverty, and works to achieve this in line with national poverty reduction strategies.

Access to adequate, affordable and sustainable energy products and services is a precondition for development. Typically, less than 10% of the population in a sub Saharan African country is connected to the electricity grid and over 80 % of the same population lacks access to modern, safe, clean and efficient energy sources for heating, cooking and lighting.

This segment of the population uses traditional biomass such as charcoal, wood, straw, agricultural residues and dung, the use and collection of which brings with it various negative consequences, such as increased pressure on the environment, a high workload and indoor air pollution, especially affecting women and children.

Access to modern energy not only helps eradicate extreme poverty and improve the environment and living conditions, it also reduces the disparity between men and women. Social services (hospitals and schools) and businesses can only operate efficiently if they have access to modern energy. It is nowadays fully recognized that access to affordable and sustainable energy products and services is necessary for the fulfilment of most development objectives.

The overall goal of SNV Ghana is to contribute to improve the livelihoods of the rural and peri-urban poor in Ghana by accelerating the dissemination of renewable energy products and services for the poor.

SNV Ghana is seeking a level IV (medior level) national advisor in Renewable Energy sector.

Contract period: one (1) year renewable.

The main responsibilities will be:
Advisory Services

•   Support clients/group of clients in developing and implementing successful Renewable Energy dissemination programmes and projects;
•   Support the operationalization of SNV Ghana strategy for Renewable Energy and translate it into continued support activities to a wide range of actors;
•   Provide client focused quality capacity building advisory services to clients, partners and Local Capacity Builders (LCBs);
•   Initiate and contributes to national activities within his/her field of expertise;
•   Support mainstreaming governance for empowerment, gender equity and social inclusion in the Renewable Energy sector.

Learning & Teamwork

•   Contribute to sharing and learning among Renewable energy team: best practices, methods, tools, case-studies, etc.;
•   Give input for the up-scaling of the team activities;
•   Provide on-the-job support, coaching, technical backstopping and guidance to SNV advisors across all portfolios and LCBs on the above mentioned issues;
•   Document results, including the process followed and the support supplied by SNV;
•   Contribute to promote external knowledge alliances with high level knowledge institutes and share the publication of SNV-knowledge to external public;
•   Contribute to product development: transform current advisory practice in marketable products and services and develop new relevant and meaningful products.

Positioning/networking/resource mobilization

•   Provide input for decision making in Renewable Energy practice area;
•   Actively explore new markets – opportunities for resource mobilization – product – client combinations;
•   Contribute to build strategic alliances and partnerships which leads to creating income and employment opportunities;
•   Support and promote collaboration between stakeholders in the sector especially at national level. Actively engage with stakeholders to further increase the priority of the sector on government’s and donor’s agendas;
•   Contribute to external resource mobilization and business development: identify opportunities and contribute to the formulation of project ideas and program proposals for SNV and clients;
•   Represent SNV and its interests effectively in national, regional and local level forums as appropriate.

Knowledge management / development

•   Ensure proper documentation of activities and achievements;
•   Ensure that best practices are systematized, documented and if possible published;
•   Contribute to knowledge networks/partnerships nationally within his/her field of expertise.

Qualification Required & Experience

Educational background

•   Master’s degree in a relevant area (i.e. mechanical, electrical, chemical, agricultural engineering, environmental or natural resources management)

Experience

•   Minimum of three years of working experience in the field of renewable energy
•   Proven track record in networking, capacity building, alliances building and facilitation of multi-stakeholder processes;
•   Experience in proposal writing, resource mobilization and project management.

Knowledge

•   Good knowledge of the renewable sector in Ghana;
•   Knowledge of challenges of SMEs and the private sector in Ghana;
•   Knowledge on climate change issues and carbon financing;
•   Knowledge of national energy and environment policies and strategies
•   Some knowledge on gender issues

Skills

•   Very good writing and verbal communication skills;
•   Opportunity driven, looks and sees the opportunities
•   Client and team oriented attitude;
•   Leadership, entrepreneurship and coaching and self-reflection skills;
•   Proactive, creative and out-of-the-box thinking;
•   Business attitude and want-to-learn attitude;
•   Proven abilities and experience in team building and participatory techniques;
•   Networking and negotiation abilities combined with result orientation;
•   Proven ability to work in different cultural settings and multi-cultural environment;
•   Proven ability to take initiatives independently and to have perseverance under adverse circumstances;
•   Flexibility to work compatibly with national community based and non-government, government and private sector organizations;
•   A strong flare for problem solving and evidence-based approaches to capacity development;
•   Readiness to work and travel in rural districts with minimal amenities;
•   Fluency in English
•   Good command of the local languages in the Northern region, especially Dagbaani or Hausa would be an added advantage. ;
•   Computer literacy in MS Office and Internet use;
•   Driver’s license.
•   Nationality: Ghanaian

Location: Tamale

How To Apply For The Job

Information/application: You can send your application letter and CV (in English) to

efenu@snvworld.org

Closing Date: 04 October, 2013