Standard Microgrid - Director, New Ventures

Location: Lusaka, Zambia (70%) with ability to travel frequently to Johannesburg and other new markets (30%)

Employment type: Permanent employment.

Position to be filled by: Q4 2020

About Standard Microgrid

Standard Microgrid is revolutionizing the way people consume power and ushering in a new era of value based, hyper efficient energy consumers using digital energy services powered by solar microgrids that deliver a sustainable return on investment.
Each microgrid consists of a standardized, modular energy production, distribution, metering and grid management system that combines the benefits of time-based energy service subscription services (seen in solar home systems) with the capital efficiency of a microgrid architecture. Local female Microgrid Managers use a mobile application to make time based subscription energy service sales to rural and peri-urban households, small businesses and clinics with services ranging from light household to productive use appliances. 

Standard Microgrid is at the leading edge of the rural electrification revolution, and is working to bring productive, AC, grid-level-or-better power to 130,000 Zambians by 2023, expanding to new markets thereafter. Visit StandardMicrogrid.com for more info.

Role

As Director of New Ventures your primary role will be preparing the company for expansion into new markets by building depth, strategy, and documentation for the company’s  franchise model with which to put our market-leading microgrid technology and business model in the hands of local entrepreneurs throughout Africa. Your work will feed into a technology roadmap, expansion strategy, and set of franchising guidelines that the company will use in engaging franchisee partners in new markets throughout Africa. You will engage with consultants, counsel, regulators, and other businesses and manage several subcontractors across technical disciplines (hardware, electronics, and software engineers), to deliver your work product. You will report directly to the Group Chief Executive who will work with you to set quarterly targets for the team.

Responsibilities

• Manage the development of the franchise business of Standard Microgrid against well defined milestones including reports, strategies, budgets, technical standards reviews, legal agreements, business processes, market assessments etc
• Manage subcontractors to deliver subsidiary work output in the form of legal agreements, technical and compliance specifications etc
• Report to various funders on progress against work plan
• Develop management reports in accordance with executive team requirements
• Develop training material and processes for franchisees
• Engage and vet potential franchisee partners in various African countries
• Liaise with project stakeholders such as funders, government agencies, regulators and community members in potential franchise jurisdictions
• Maintain tight control of a budget
• Improve overall company operational efficiency
• Travel throughout Zambia and Southern Africa for site work and training as needed
• Enforce, develop and improve upon company Standard Operating Procedures
• Identify cost-saving and revenue-enhancing opportunities for the business as a whole

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years work experience in management consulting, project management, renewable energy development/cleantech, or business development sphere
• MBA from top-tier business school
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, organized, and able to convey complex information clearly and succinctly
• A passion for delivering energy services and desire to learn the various aspects of the renewable energy microgrid business
• Fluent in English
• Intelligent and eager to learn
• Highly organized and strong attention to detail is essential
• Resourceful, hardworking and honest
• Flexible and eager to lend a hand wherever needed, even if a specific task may fall outside the core job description

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in franchising strategy and implementation, especially in Sub-Saharan African markets
• Experience working internationally in start-up environments
• Passion for emerging technologies
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time (across Africa)

Personal development opportunities

• A fast-paced environment where constant change is the norm and individual initiative taking is encouraged
• Performance based bonuses
• Working both in the office and in the field
• Contributing to rural electrification in Africa
• Building a clean energy future

Compensation and benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience

Application requirements  

Interested candidates are requested to forward their updated CVs with cover letter to info@standardmicrogrid.com stating their current and expected remuneration, daytime telephone contacts and addresses of three referees. Please make the email subject line “Director, New Ventures - [FirstName LastName]”. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.