Description

***Position is subject to Funding approval*** 

Project: International Consultancy for the Development of Off Grid Renewable Energy Projects

Location: Sub-Saharan Africa (with significant time in Nigeria)

Availability for assignment: May 2026 – December 2027 

 Risk Level:     ☐ Level 3       ☐Level 2         ☐Level 1 

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.  

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data)  

Background

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. 

The Program / Department / Team 

Energy 4 Impact is Mercy Corps’ platform for shaping market systems in clean energy access. We work at the intersection of policy and institutions, enterprise growth and finance, ecosystem coordination, and evidence and market intelligence. Our comparative advantage lies in blending the advisory capabilities of a specialist firm with the geographic presence and community reach of an NGO. We translate program investment into strategic, market-credible solutions: building the conditions under which private investment flows into previously high-risk energy access markets. 

The Position Overview 

Energy 4 Impact is seeking an internationally experienced Senior Mini-Grid & GIS Technical Expert to support the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP III) in the development of off-grid renewable energy projects. The expert will provide high level engineering, planning, and technical advisory services for mini-grid project development, including GIS-based site identification, system design, and preparation of technical documentation. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead GIS-based site identification, mapping, and spatial analysis for mini-grid development.

• Conduct techno‑economic assessments, including demand estimation, load profiling, and PUE opportunity analysis.

• Develop system designs, distribution network layouts, powerhouse siting, and technical specifications.

• Prepare and review BoQs, engineering drawings, tender documents, and technical guidelines.

• Conduct technical due diligence on mini-grid developer submissions and project proposals.

• Support the development of technical guidelines, regulations, and manuals for the Nigeria off-grid sector.

• Provide capacity building to local experts, government agencies, and developers.

• Collaborate with NESP advisors and local consultants to ensure high-quality deliverables.

• Contribute to progress reports, meeting summaries, and stakeholder engagement sessions.

Complementary Responsibilities 

• Introduce advanced geospatial analytics (e.g., least cost electrification modelling, remote sensing) to enhance project selection.

• Develop standardized templates for mini-grid technical documentation to streamline future NESP processes.

• Provide advisory support on climate resilient infrastructure design and innovations for grid reliability.

• Support the creation of a mini-grid knowledge repository for NESP, consolidating tools, templates, and lessons learned.

Safeguarding Responsibilities  

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.

• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.  

Required Qualifications 

Education 

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, or related field.

Languages 

• Excellent command of English (C1 level, CEFR). 

Professional Experience 

• General: Minimum 12 years of professional experience in the energy sector.

• Specific: At least 10 years of experience developing renewable energy mini-grid projects totaling ≥5 MW combined capacity.

• Demonstrated experience using GIS tools (ArcGIS, QGIS, etc.) for site identification and planning. 

• Minimum 5 years developing technical guidelines, regulations, or manuals for the energy sector.

• International experience: At least 7 years in at least two countries with economies in transition outside West Africa.

• Regional experience: At least 5 years of professional experience in West Africa, including a minimum of 1 year in Nigeria.

• At least 5 years of experience working on development cooperation projects

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. 

Success Factors

The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator and MEL professional with a strong track record in documenting results for renewable energy and rural electrification programs. They combine analytical rigor with excellent writing and communication skills, and are adept at transforming technical information into clear, compelling reports and knowledge products. They are proactive, detail‑oriented, and comfortable working across diverse teams and cultural contexts. Their experience in West Africa—particularly Nigeria—enables them to contextualize findings and ensure that reporting reflects on‑the‑ground realities and sector priorities. 

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Africa, and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.  Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard. 

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development. 

Team Engagement and Effectiveness 

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.  

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).