Mini-Grid Solutions Development Manager

The Mini-Grid Systems Development Manager will lead the end-to-end development of solar hybrid mini grid projects across Nigeria — from site identification and feasibility through permitting, financing support, construction oversight, and handover to operations. The role requires deep familiarity with the Nigerian mini-grid landscape, including the NERC Mini-Grid Regulations, the Electricity Act 2023, Rural Electrification Agency (REA) programmes (NEP, DARES, Energizing Economies), and donor/DFI funding frameworks. The successful candidate will manage a pipeline of isolated and interconnected mini-grid projects and drive them to financial close and commissioning on time and within budget. Key Responsibilities 1. Project Origination & Site Development • Identify, screen, and prioritise viable mini-grid sites using demand assessment, geospatial analysis, and market intelligence. • Lead site surveys, energy demand studies, willingness-to-pay (ATP/WTP) surveys, and load forecasting for candidate communities and commercial clusters. • Build and maintain a robust project pipeline aligned with company growth targets and funding windows (e.g., REA/World Bank DARES performance-based grants). 2. Feasibility Studies & Technical Design Coordination • Oversee techno-economic feasibility studies, including PV/BESS/genset hybrid sizing, distribution network design, and generation-demand matching (HOMER Pro or equivalent). • Review and validate engineering designs, single-line diagrams, protection schemes, and metering architecture prepared by the engineering team or consultants. • Ensure designs comply with NERC technical standards, NEMSA requirements, and applicable IEC/IEEE codes. 3. Regulatory Approvals & Permitting • Manage all regulatory processes: NERC mini-grid permits/registrations, exclusivity applications, tariff approvals (including cost-reflective tariff computations using the NERC mini-grid tariff tool), and DisCo engagement for interconnected mini-grids. • Secure community agreements, land acquisition/lease documentation, environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA/ESMP), and state/local government consents. • Track evolving regulation (Electricity Act 2023, state electricity market laws) and adapt project structures accordingly. 4. Financial Structuring & Funding • Develop project financial models (CAPEX/OPEX, tariff scenarios, IRR, DSCR, payback) and investment memos for internal approval and external financiers. • Prepare and manage grant applications, results-based financing (RBF) claims, and reporting for donors, DFIs, and programmes such as NEP/DARES, GEAPP, and AMP. • Support commercial negotiations for PPAs, EaaS/PaaS structures, anchor-client agreements, and O&M contracts. 5. Stakeholder & Community Engagement • Lead engagement with communities, traditional rulers, LGAs, state governments, DisCos, REA, NERC, NEMSA, and development partners. • Establish community energy committees, grievance redress mechanisms, and productive-use-of energy (PUE) programmes to strengthen demand and social licence. 6. Construction & Commissioning Oversight • Manage EPC contractors and internal installation teams through construction, factory/site acceptance testing, NEMSA certification, and commissioning. • Enforce HSE standards, quality assurance plans, and project schedules; report progress against milestones and budgets. • Coordinate smooth handover to the Operations & Maintenance team, including as-built documentation, smart metering/RMS setup, and tariff activation. 7. Team Leadership & Reporting

• Recruit, mentor, and manage the site development and project delivery team.
• Provide regular pipeline, budget, and risk reports to executive management and the board.
• Contribute to company strategy on portfolio growth, geographic expansion, and technology

selection. Qualifications & Experience Required • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, or a related field (Master's degree or MBA is an advantage). • Minimum of 4 years' hands-on experience developing mini-grids in Nigeria, with at least 2 projects taken from origination through commissioning. • Demonstrated working knowledge of the NERC Mini-Grid Regulations, REA programmes (NEP, DARES), and mini-grid tariff-setting processes. • Proven experience with solar PV, battery energy storage (LFP), hybrid controllers, and LV/MV distribution networks. • Track record of managing community engagement and land/permitting processes in rural and peri urban Nigerian contexts.