Utility Expert at Tetra Tech

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting, engineering, program management, construction management, and technical services. The Company supports government and commercial clients by providing innovative solutions focused on water, environment, infrastructure, resource management, energy, and international development. One of the group of companies under Tetra Tech is delivering the DFID-funded United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF) infrastructure improvement works. The programme's duration is contracted for an initial 48 months with a possible 24-month extension.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Utility Expert

Location: Abuja

Project Summary

• Tetra Tech is implementing the five-year, USAID-funded Power Africa Empower Nigeria Activity. Building on a decade of Power Africa success, Empower Nigeria aims to reduce energy poverty by expanding access to affordable and reliable electricity in Nigeria.  
• Power Africa Empower Nigeria will focus on increasing electricity generation capacity, improving access to on- and off-grid electricity, and supporting Nigeria's national and state-level energy planning through four key strategic outcomes: addressing policy and regulatory challenges, enhancing transmission capacity, scaling the off-grid sector, and resolving liquidity issues within the electricity sector.   

Position Summary

• Tetra Tech is recruiting an experienced and dynamic utility expert to support Empower Nigeria project aimed at enhancing the operations and management of electricity distribution utilities in Nigeria.
• The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational guidance to the assigned DISCO senior leadership team, helping to transform the organization into a more efficient, reliable, and customer-focused entity.
• Utility expert will report to DISCO CEO/COO advisor and will support to identify activities and develop work plans for assigned DISCO, design interventions, mitigate potential conflict of interest, support data collection and analyzes, deploy technical expertise, and implement Empower Nigeria technical assistance and capacity-building support to the DISCOS to address persistent challenges, such as technical and commercial losses, low revenue collection, and inefficiencies in operations and management.
• This position is full-time, and hiring is contingent upon USAID approval. Interested candidates must be eligible to work and ready to relocate to Nigeria. Travel in country will be required.  

Position Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance and deliver on expected results in Empower Nigeria partner DISOCs related to helping utilities strengthen their operations including targeted loss-reduction programs, and improved customer relations and services.
• Provide advice to the DISCO management to enhance the utility’s operational performance and align with best practices in the electricity distribution industry.
• Assist in implementing the DISCO’s strategic plan with a focus on long-term sustainability and growth.
• Analyze DISCO performance metrics to identify inefficiencies and implement strategies to improve revenue collection and reduce losses.
• Develop periodic reporting on progress, challenges, and recommendations to the project leadership and stakeholders.
• Effectively integrate gender and social inclusion, localization, climate change, reaching underserved markets, capacity building and other guiding principles throughout all aspects of Empower Nigeria implementation.
• Contribute to a series of reporting including weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports as well as monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Implement activities based on plans and instructions given DISCO CEO/COO advisor.
• Maintain strong relationships with DISCO management.
• Develop policies, procedures, guidelines and presentation.
• Analyze the feasibility and potential benefits of on-site electricity generation or renewable energy sources.
• Analyze electricity usage data and billing information to identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.
• Implement energy conservation and demand management strategies to reduce overall electricity consumption.
• Stay up-to-date on electricity regulations and industry best practices.
• Develop training materials and conduct workshops to build the knowledge and skills of stakeholders.
• Provide recommendations on distribution network upgrades, alternative energy sources, and energy efficiency measures to optimize electricity usage and costs.
• Review and re-design applications for new electricity connections, meter upgrades, and changes to existing distribution services.
• Support utilities to respond to inquiries regarding electricity distribution charges, outages, and maintenance issues.
• Support DISCOs in the expansion of access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy services including marginalized communities.
• Identify barriers to energy access, designing appropriate energy solutions, and working with donor organizations, governments and local stakeholders to implement and scale up successful projects.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Law, Engineering, Economics, Finance, Policy, or a related field.
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the energy sector, including in electricity distribution and utility management.
• Experience working in developing countries.
• Knowledge in a wide range of topics and expertise in at least three, including on grid densification and expansion, customer regularization, electricity loss reduction, distributed and off-grid renewable energy solutions, energy sector laws and regulations, renewable and non-renewable generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, energy sector planning.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to solve complex problems with a localized approach as well as excellent interpersonal, diplomacy, and leadership skills, including the ability to manage high-level relationships.
• Demonstrated familiarity with and prior experience addressing energy sector challenges in West Africa.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proven track record of successfully advising utility companies or similar organizations on operational and strategic enhancements.
• Deep experience across the energy value chain, including utility operations and management, energy sector reform, utility performance, performance improvement strategies, rural electrification programs, and power project development.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Preferred but Not Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Law, Engineering, Economics, Finance, Policy, or a related field.
• Experience designing and implementing programs that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the energy sector.
• Previous experience with USAID and/or with donor agency programs.
• Working experience in Nigeria.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online