Description
***Position is subject to Funding approval***
Team Leader (International expert)
Project: International Consultancy for the Development of Off‑Grid Renewable Energy Projects
Location: Sub-Saharan Africa (with significant time in Nigeria)
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 programme investment into strategic, market-credible solutions: building the conditions under which private investment flows into previously high-risk energy access markets.
The PositionOverview
Energy 4 Impact is seeking an internationally experienced Team Leader to support the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP III) in the development of off‑grid renewable energy projects.
The Team Leader will provide overall strategic and leadership to a pool of technical and transactional advisory experts. This senior expert will guide a multidisciplinary team, ensure high‑quality delivery of advisory services, and work closely with public and private sector partners to strengthen enabling environments for renewable energy deployment. The role requires deep sector expertise, proven leadership in complex donor‑funded programs, and extensive international experience.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Coordination
Provide overall responsibility and direction for all advisory packages delivered under the assignment.
Ensure coherence, complementarity, and alignment of contractor services with other project activities at both national and local levels.
Support GIZ in refining and adapting project strategies, contributing to evaluations, and preparing for potential follow‑on phases.
Team Management & Quality Assurance
Provide managerial leadership to a multidisciplinary team of experts, including identifying needs for short‑term assignments, planning and managing inputs, and supporting technical delivery.
Oversee quality assurance for all outputs, ensuring timely, high‑quality deliverables that meet client standards.
Ensure coordinated, efficient, and results‑oriented implementation.
Capacity Development & Technical Oversight
Lead the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of capacity development measures for government institutions, utilities, regulators, and other local partners.
Integrate cross‑cutting themes—such as gender equality, inclusion, and climate resilience—into all advisory and capacity‑building activities.
Ensure that monitoring procedures are systematically applied and that results inform adaptive management.
Financial & Administrative Oversight
Oversee financial planning and ensure appropriate use of funds in close consultation with the client.
Ensure compliance with contractual, administrative, and reporting requirements, including regular progress reporting in line with agreed deadlines.
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.
Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Education
Master’s degree (or equivalent, e.g., German Diploma) in engineering relevant to energy, renewable energy, power systems, or energy economics/markets.
Languages
Excellent command of English (C1 level, CEFR).
Professional Experience
General: Minimum 12 years of professional experience in the power sector, working with both public and private entities. At least 3 of these years must have been acquired within the last 5 years.
Specific: At least 10 years of experience in renewable energy project development, 5 of which in rural electrification projects.
Leadership & management: Minimum 10 years of management experience leading teams of three or more people in projects, companies, or organizations. 5 of which involved managing teams within donor-funded projects.
International and regional experience. At least 5 years of professional experience in two countries outside the West Arica region, with at least one year spent in each country
Regional experience: Minimum 8 years of professional experience in West Africa, 4 of which in Nigeria
At least 8 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 seasoned international expert with a strong track record in renewable energy project development, rural electrification, and advisory work with governments and private sector actors. They bring a strategic mindset, proven leadership in complex multi‑country programs, and the ability to navigate political, institutional, and market dynamics in West Africa. They excel at building trust with partners, driving high‑quality technical delivery, and have excellent leadership and management capabilities.
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]).