Energy Advisor – Power Africa SAG Program (Maternity Cover)

Focus of the Role

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere. 

We are a global team of nearly 800 changemakers, operating in more than 30 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference. 

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Job Introduction

The Energy Advisor will play a lead role in the Power Africa SAG program, and contribute to TBI’s engagements with the Government of Mozambique around energy and power sector development. The Advisor will lead the Institute’s provision of strategic and technical support to the Ministry of Energy, focussed on the coordination of policy, planning and delivery of expanded access to energy services in Mozambique.

The Advisor shall:

• Advise the Ministry of Energy of the Government of Mozambique on policy, planning and delivery of its national power sector development, with a focus on
  • The finalisation of a high-level energy transition strategy for the power sector
  • Preparation for COP28, with identification of 4-5 key energy projects
  • Development of the off-grid segment, via the creation of an Energy Access Unit
• Provide analysis and recommendations to TBI/Power Africa, regarding power sector matters in Mozambique, with an emphasis on access to energy services
• Assist government counterparts in unblocking issues to the financing and delivery of its power sector plans, with regard to access to energy services
• Coordinate closely with the wider TBI team in Mozambique, especially around the wider energy policy advisory work and building relationships with donors, stakeholders and government counterparts
• Provide technical guidance and advice to advisors of the PA-SAG program on matters of Climate Finance and investments
• Represent the PA-SAG program vis-à-vis USAID/Power Africa’s relevant managers, other Power Africa programs, and with wider Government and development partners as agreed with the Chief of Party and Country Head.

This is an 8 month fixed term contract with the possibility of extension.

Key Responsibilities

Know-How:

• Strong expertise on Climate Finance strategies and investment opportunities
• Expertise on Access to Energy policies
• Analytical skills to produce high quality advisory deliverables (PowerPoint Presentation and Word reports)
• Political savvy to navigate in complex environments, develop and maintain strategic relationships for the PA-SAG program implementation
• Ability to work independently, think strategically and translate strategies into concrete and implementable plans
• Strong problem solving capacity and perseverance
• Capacity to work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to achieve the goals of the team and the PA-SAG program.

Accountability:

• Accountability for identifying and providing advisory deliverables of the highest technical quality to the Government of Mozambique, as agreed in the Annual Work Plans for the PA-SAG program, under the overall management by the Chief of Party
• Accountability for managing relationships with the Ministry of Energy as well as TBI’s wider set of stakeholders in Mozambique, under the overall management by TBI’s Country Head
• Accountability for supporting TBI in identifying and advancing programmatic opportunities in the area of access to energy services and related areas

Responsibility:

• Obtain and ensure access and trust with key counterparts in Mozambique
• With the support of TBI’s Country and Power Africa teams, position the PA-SAG workstreams in Mozambique for most relevance and effectiveness
• Set out deliverables and activities for Mozambique in the annual work plans of the PA-SAG program
• Deliver on deliverables and activities defined in the work plan of the PA-SAG program
• Report on the delivery of results and on activities
• Proactively identify and advance opportunities for new programming (deepening or widening the advisory activities under PA-SAG in the area of Access to Energy)
• Communicate and coordinate closely with TBI’s Power Africa and Mozambique teams

Judgement:

• Identify risks (for TBI, for the donor and for the project implementation) related to all aspects of program implementation in Mozambique, and in particular technical advisory and partnership aspects
• Independently and proactively assess how best to engage government leaders and their teams to position the program in Mozambique
• Independently and proactively assess when and how to engage across TBI (country and regional teams, as well as HQ), with the donor and with external partners to best position and deliver on the technical advisory activities. Close coordination with the Country Head, Deputy Country Head, Chief of Party, and Deputy Chief of Party - Technical Lead, will be required
• Identify best entry points and strategies for supporting Power Africa’s partner Governments on policy, planning and delivery for Access to Energy services

Ambition:

• Technical advisory activities undertaken in Mozambique under the PA-SAG programme are of the highest technical quality and sensitive to both political, institutional, technical and economic realities
• Knowledge and experience around Climate Finance and Access to Energy Services are systematically developed and applied, and learning is facilitiated for the PA-SAG team around relevant technical areas (energy and power sector development and power sector governance)
• Opportunities for relevant advisory activities are identified and pursued
• Considerations and activities of the Energy Practice and the PA-SAG program are coordinated and aligned, from the perspective of technical advisory content

Person Specification

To successfully hold this position, the Energy Advisor should have the following qualifications:

• Experience in the energy industry in order to have a holistic view of the full energy value chain, with deep global and regional expertise, including energy transition
• Strong expertise in climate change topics, such as, green hydrogen, CCUS technologies, carbon markets, CBAM mechanisms, green industry, etc
• Knowledge of energy access solutions: mini-grids and solar home systems in the areas of planning, policy, regulations, and financial models
• Proven ability to articulate technical expertise with analytical and communication skills to produce high quality advisory deliverables
• Proven skills in coordination different stakeholders and development programs assuring their alignment with the Government‘s Energy Strategy
• Strong political acumen to navigate in complex environments and best position the PA-SAG programme
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and perform other duties as reasonably required to achieve the goals of the country and programme teams

#LI-Hybrid