BACKGROUND

As part of its sustainable development strategy for the Upemba Landscape, Forgotten Parks (FP) is strengthening its approach to renewable energy and sustainable energy infrastructure for Upemba National Park (PNU), surrounding communities and economic activities.

The Upemba Landscape has significant potential for diverse energy solutions, including solar, hydropower, battery storage and hybrid systems. These solutions must be developed through an integrated approach that considers technical feasibility, economic and financial viability, institutional requirements, community needs, operational constraints and conservation objectives.

FP is therefore seeking an Energy Manager – Upemba Landscape to lead the development and implementation of the Landscape's energy strategy. This is not a purely technical position. The Energy Manager will be FP's strategic focal point for energy, responsible for identifying opportunities, structuring projects, mobilizing expertise and partners, and supporting projects from concept through financing and implementation.

The position will work closely with FP/PNU management, the Field Operations Manager, the Development Manager, the Business Sustainability Models Expert, conservation and community teams, and external consultants, developers, investors, private companies, government institutions and technical and financial partners.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

The Energy Manager will develop and lead the Upemba Landscape Energy Strategy, from needs and opportunity assessment through project development, financing, partner selection and implementation.

Key objectives include:

• Develop and regularly update the Landscape Energy Strategy and investment roadmap.

• Identify and prioritize appropriate energy solutions for PNU, communities and productive activities.

• Assess emerging technologies and recommend the most suitable technical and economic options.

• Build a pipeline of technically feasible, financially viable and bankable energy projects.

• Coordinate feasibility studies, business plans, financial models and investment proposals with relevant specialists.

• Identify and develop relationships with technical, financial and commercial partners.

• Engage with relevant national and provincial energy authorities and institutions in DRC.

• Support the preparation and launch of EOIs, tenders and partner selection processes.

• Provide strategic oversight of project implementation and long-term sustainability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Energy Strategy and Planning

• Lead the development and implementation of the Upemba Landscape Energy Strategy.

• Assess current and future energy needs and identify key gaps and opportunities.

• Develop a prioritized, multi-year energy investment roadmap.

• Ensure coherence between individual energy projects and the overall Landscape strategy.

B. Technology Assessment

• Monitor developments in renewable energy and decentralized energy systems.

• Assess and compare solar, hydropower, hybrid systems, battery storage, mini-grids, solar home/productive-use systems and other relevant technologies.

• Evaluate options against technical, economic, environmental and operational criteria.

• Challenge and review technical proposals from consultants, suppliers and developers.

• Provide strategic recommendations to management on technology choices.

C. Project Development and Financing

• Develop and maintain a pipeline of priority energy projects.

• Lead the transformation of opportunities into technically, economically and financially structured projects.

• Coordinate feasibility studies, market assessments, business plans and financial models.

• Work with engineers, financial experts, legal advisors and other specialists as required.

• Develop bankable investment proposals for donors, investors, financial institutions and private-sector partners.

• Explore grants, concessional finance, blended finance, private investment and PPP opportunities.

• Work closely with the Business Sustainability Models Expert to develop viable business and operating models.

D. Partnerships and Institutional Engagement

The Energy Manager will act as FP/PNU's main external focal point for energy-related matters and will:

• Maintain relationships with relevant national and provincial energy authorities and institutions in DRC.

• Engage with local authorities and other landscape stakeholders.

• Identify and develop relationships with energy developers, EPC companies, mini-grid operators, technology providers, investors and financial institutions.

• Represent FP/PNU in relevant energy sector meetings and platforms.

• Monitor regulatory and policy developments affecting energy projects in DRC.

• Identify partnership, investment and funding opportunities.

E. Partner Selection and Procurement

Working with management, development, procurement and technical specialists:

• Develop partnership and procurement strategies for energy projects.

• Support the preparation of EOIs, ToRs and tender documents.

• Identify potential developers and operators.

• Coordinate competitive selection processes.

• Participate in technical and financial evaluations and negotiations.

• Monitor the performance of selected partners.

F. Strategic Oversight of Implementation

The Energy Manager will provide strategic and technical oversight, rather than day-to-day construction supervision.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating and reviewing technical studies and designs.

• Monitoring project compliance with agreed technical and performance standards.

• Managing and coordinating consultants and specialized contractors.

• Participating in key validation, commissioning and handover stages.

• Identifying technical, financial and operational risks and recommending corrective measures.

• Ensuring that solutions are appropriate for local operation, maintenance and long-term sustainability.

G. Sustainability and Business Models

In collaboration with management, the Development Manager and the Business Sustainability Models Expert:

• Develop sustainable operating and governance models for energy infrastructure.

• Assess options including private operators, community management, cooperatives and PPP models.

• Support the development of appropriate tariff and revenue models.

• Ensure long-term coverage of operation and maintenance costs.

• Monitor the economic and operational performance of energy projects.

H. Coordination, Reporting and Knowledge Management

• Ensure energy projects are integrated with PNU's wider conservation, community development, infrastructure and economic development programs.

• Establish a portfolio monitoring system and key performance indicators.

• Report regularly to management on strategy implementation and project development.

• Document lessons learned, opportunities and best practices.

• Prepare strategic presentations and technical/investment documents for management, donors and partners.

REQUIRED PROFILE

Education

• Master's degree or equivalent in energy, renewable energy, electrical/civil engineering, rural engineering, energy economics, project management or a related field.

• Specialization in renewable energy, rural electrification, project finance or infrastructure development is an advantage.

Professional Experience

• 8–10+ years of relevant professional experience, including significant experience in the energy sector.

• Proven experience developing renewable energy projects, preferably in rural or remote environments.

• Experience with solar mini-grids and/or hydropower.

• Experience coordinating feasibility studies and multidisciplinary technical teams.

• Demonstrated experience in project structuring and developing bankable/investable projects.

• Experience with business plans, financial models and/or sustainable business models.

• Experience engaging with government institutions, donors, private-sector partners and investors.

• Good understanding of the DRC energy sector, institutional framework and regulatory environment.

• Experience with blended finance, PPPs or innovative financing mechanisms is a strong advantage.

• Hydropower experience is an advantage.

• Experience working in remote, complex or challenging environments is highly desirable.

CORE COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong understanding of decentralized renewable energy systems.

• Ability to assess technologies and translate technical information into strategic recommendations.

• Strong understanding of the technical, economic and financial dimensions of energy projects.

• Ability to turn concepts and opportunities into structured, bankable projects.

• Strong project and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to lead technical experts without necessarily undertaking specialized engineering design personally.

• Strong negotiation, communication and partnership-building skills.

• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking.

• Ability to engage effectively with engineers, investors, donors, government authorities and communities.

LANGUAGES

• French: Excellent written and spoken French required.

• English: Strong written and spoken English highly desirable, particularly for engagement with international suppliers, developers, investors, consultants and partners.

• Knowledge of local languages is an advantage.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Strategic thinker with strong leadership and initiative.

• Results-oriented and solutions-focused.

• Autonomous, adaptable and able to operate in a complex and remote environment.

• Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.

• High level of integrity and accountability.

• Commitment to conservation, sustainable development and community engagement.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Where qualifications and competencies are equivalent, preference will be given to female candidates.