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Associate (Energy-Agriculture) - Africa Energy Program

RMI

Associate (Energy-Agriculture) - Africa Energy Program

National
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030.  

    With an independent, objective, and fact-based approach, RMI’s Africa Energy Program works with a diverse set of public and private sector partners to solve sub-Saharan Africa’s toughest energy challenges. Fundamentally, we believe that people need and deserve access to clean, reliable, and affordable power, and that historical approaches to energy systems will not enable sustainable economic development for Africa economies in the 21st century and beyond. We are working to change that, leveraging RMI’s global platform and deeply collaborative partnerships across the range of industry stakeholders.  

    Our program strategy and team of 20 people focus on three components: 1) expanding the use of holistic energy planning and clean energy portfolios, 2) enabling distributed energy resource (DER) adoption including minigrids to expand access and save costs for stakeholders, and 3) demand-side interventions to drive efficient use of energy that enables local economic development.  

    Currently, the Africa Energy Program works alongside country partners in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Malawi, with regional scaling activities that include partners across many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. 

     

    POSITION OVERVIEW: 

    We are seeking a highly-motivated, Nigeria-based Associate or Senior Associate to join RMI’s Africa Energy Program and help drive cutting-edge solutions to support Africa’s energy transition. The person hired for this position will contribute to the Program’s work to stimulate the productive use of electricity in rural communities, especially in agricultural value chains. Helping communities make better use of their power supports rural electricity access and ensures that access is translated into better livelihoods. We expect this position to identify, develop, and implement innovative solutions to accelerate adoption of commercially viable productive use interventions.  

     

    Examples of your projects might include visiting rural communities to survey and analyze agricultural productive use opportunities; interviewing stakeholders to assess the applicability of an innovative business model in a new geography; identifying, designing, and developing agriculture electrification pilots in rural communities; recruiting commercial partners to develop pilot projects, overseeing pilot implementation through project management, regular meetings, and problem-solving support; and/or carrying out data collection and analysis to derive insights from project implementation. 

     

    YOUR KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN ASSOCIATE PRIMARILY INCLUDE:  

    • Structure and independently execute research across a broad range of topics. 
    • Identify new ways to track and manage reliable data that sheds new light on problems and solutions. 
    • Lead quantitative analysis and modeling activities within specific project scopes. 
    • Create innovative problem-solving approaches to drive project insight. 
    • Synthesize recommendations into clear and compelling presentations and written reports. 
    • Present quantitative information in a clear, visual format. 
    • Engage with external experts and partners via phone interviews, conferences, and in-person meetings. 
    • Travel up to 30%, primarily within Nigeria.

     

     

    YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A SENIOR ASSOCIATE INCLUDE THE ABOVE, AND: 

    • Formulate key questions and design  approaches—including, but not limited to quantitative models— to effectively address key questions and challenges posed by our research goals and clients. 
    • Drive thought leadership.  
    • Structure and guide the work of junior team members. 
    • Lead and manage specific projects with support from senior staff. 
    • Lead and manage stakeholder relationships in relation to specific projects. 
    • Contribute publicly at conferences, share expertise in response to media requests, discuss RMI’s work with donors, and direct research collaborations.

      

     

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

    • Undergraduate degree in an applicable field such as engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, energy, agricultural), business (marketing, finance, international), economics, computer science, mathematics, physical and social sciences 
    •  2-4 years of cumulative work experience. 
    • Ability to design, create from scratch, and run advanced Excel-based models. 
    • Exceptional and concise writing capabilities. 
    • Experience in agriculture and/or the use of electricity to solve the problems that rural communities want to solve.  
    • A high degree of professionalism, thoughtfulness, and respect across interpersonal interactions. 
    • Demonstrated initiative and accomplishment in previous work.

      

     

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

    • A graduate degree in an applicable field such as engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, energy, agricultural), business (marketing, finance, international), economics, computer science, mathematics, physical and social sciences.
    • Experience designing, implementing, and/or overseeing renewable energy projects in remote communities. 
    • Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa on energy access, climate, renewables, and demand-side topics. 
    • Understanding of basic financial analysis and metrics (e.g., NPV, cash flows), energy analysis (e.g., LCOE), and their application to African energy issues. 
    • Experience working among diverse groups with varying perspectives and/or facilitating challenging conversations.  
    • Deep understanding of the electricity industry, including utility and regulatory models. 
    • Prior experience in consulting, project management, or other related fields. 
    • Ability to stick with a problem through resolution but also knowing when to ask for help. 
    • Ability to listen actively, be diplomatic, and share knowledge and information well. 
    • Willingness to plunge into unfamiliar disciplines and take risks by exploring and testing new ideas.

     

    LOCATION  

    Abuja, Nigeria, with authorized work authorization.  

    COMPENSATION

    The starting salary range for you as an Associate would be $70,000 - $82,000, and the starting salary range as a Senior Associate would be $79,000 - $93,000. Salary to be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. 

    You would also have an annual additional 5% bonus target! 

    BENEFITS  

    RMI provides a comprehensive benefits package that will be based upon the statutory benefits per the country of residence. 

    DIVERSITY    

    Increasing the diversity of thought, perspectives, ideas and opinions within RMI is a critical change element supporting our long-term sustainability and mission to build a clean, prosperous, and secure energy future.   

    We strive for a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of ability, race, ethnicity, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic class, educational attainment or other social identities—is critical to the success of each RMIer and collectively as an organization. This ensures that we:  

    • Have the different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.  
    • Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating others with dignity, respect and appreciation enabling them to feel welcomed, supported and valued.  
    • Effectively connect, communicate and build long-lasting relationships with decision makers, stakeholders and constituents within diverse communities.

       

    RMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.