Business Development Manager

~ Virunga Power is a renewable energy company focused on creating a new model for the generation and distribution of power in rural sub-Saharan Africa. ~

Our goal is to develop, own, and operate a series of grid-connected and isolated grid projects, beginning in East Africa. The primary focus of the company is to mobilize new forms of capital to create a sustainable, affordable, and profitable solution to the problem of access to modern energy in sub-Saharan Africa. All our projects include a rural electrification component through offering grid connectivity to rural households in the communities we work in.

Virunga Power is currently at advanced stages of development on a several renewable energy generation projects of between 1 and 10 MW installed capacity in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Our current focus is on small hydro and biomass technologies. 

• Do you have experience in the energy or business sectors and want to apply your skills and experience in developing Megawatt-scale renewable energy projects in rural East Africa? 
• Are you interested in leading business development activities at a fast-moving start-up that is creating sustainable solutions to sub-Saharan Africa's access to energy problems? 

Position Overview 

Virunga Power is looking to hire a Business Development Manager to lead the firm's efforts in developing, maintaining, and managing a pipeline of renewable power projects in East Africa. The Business Development Manager will assist in establishing a process and organization for the acquisition, planning, and development of renewable energy projects in the region.

This position will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the project development process from inception to project completion. This will include working with in-house and external investment and
engineering teams and consultants, and managing timelines and deliverables. The selected candidate will also work closely with our rural community partners to ensure community expectations are aptly managed and met in the course of developing projects.

Other responsibilities will include evaluating potential renewable energy projects and building a project pipeline, managing relationships with government agencies and other partners on various projects, coordinating the various project development parties to ensure projects are developed as envisaged, and assisting in strategic planning. In addition, this position will assist in building a business development team to cover the East African region.

By nature of being a small but growing company, all Virunga Power employees are expected to support the general business needs of the company as needed. This position will report directly to the Managing Director. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Actively manages community relations on behalf of Virunga Power to ensure good working relations with the communities we work with 
• Communicates Virunga Power's mission, goals, policies, and pertinent developments to the communities and ensures these policies and developments are in-line with the communities' needs and expectations 
• Screens potential renewables projects by analyzing project requirements and potential, appropriate community dynamics, and recommends development strategies 
• Coordinates project development efforts among the various parties working on any given project including the communities, engineering teams, vendors and contractors, government agencies, lenders and investors, and NGOs, among others 
• Creates presentations, project and investment memoranda, and other material for internal and external audiences, including partners, investors, government agencies, and financing partners among others 
• Seeks out and attends industry-related functions, such as association events and conferences, and provides feedback and information on market and industry trends with a view towards furthering Virunga Power's mission 
• Assists in the creation of a business development organizational structure for East Africa that best addresses Virunga Power's needs and the business landscape in each country, and further assists in hiring and developing such a team 
• Actively explores opportunities to further Virunga Power's mission and assists in shaping general firm strategy 

Qualifications  

Minumum Requirements  

The ideal candidate would have the following skills and credentials: 

• Bachelor's degree in finance, engineering, commerce, sciences, economics, rural development, Law (LL.B), or any other relevant field (required) 
• 3 - 5+ years experience working in the rural development or energy spaces in East Africa, particularly in Kenya, in a finance, investment, projects development, community development, legal, or engineering role 
• Experience in a management role by coordinating or leading a team in a professional setting 
• Ability to create, foster, and maintain relationships, both at the senior corporate management level and in rural communities 
• High level of experience and proficiency in MS Excel, Powerpoint, and Word 
• High level of intellectual curiosity with the ability to work independently in a self-directed, entrepreneurial environment 
• Ability to excel in a collaborative, technical, cross-functional, and geographically diverse organization 
• Passionate about social development issues and sustainability, and creating pragmatic solutions to challenges facing emerging economies 
• Proficiency in the following general business areas: communication, analytics, influencing, collaboration, conflict management, decision making, personal time management 
• Proficiency in Swahili 
• Eligible for necessary work permits in Kenya 

Preferred Qualifications 

While not required, the following would be highly desirable in an applicant: 

• Master's degree in business, engineering, or a related field highly preferred 
• Knowledge/experience in project finance, investments (from finance, legal or other perspective), and/or renewables engineering
• Conversant in any other dialects in East Africa 

Travel  

• Frequent travel to rural areas of East Africa and elsewhere in the region and globally will be required

Compensation: Remuneration is commensurate with experience.

To Apply 

If you are interested and feel that you meet the criteria outlined above, please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email a copy of your CV and a brief cover letter. Type "Business Development Manager" in the subject line.