Consultant - Energy 4 Impact - Sub-Saharan Africa

Background:

Mercy Corps - Energy 4 Impact is building a team of energy access advisors with skills in business models and economics, capital raising, engineering and technology, and market and value chain analysis. The team works across areas such as market research, program design and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and community engagement. We offer our advisory services to SMEs, donors and Mercy Corps’ multi-sectoral programs in Africa, and in due course we will expand to other geographies.

Two consulting positions are available with the following Scope of Work:

Purpose / Project Description:

The Consultant will provide advisory services to companies and support on the programs below:

1. ECAP1 & 2

   • The Energy Catalyst accelerates the innovation needed to end energy poverty. Through financial and advisory support, and by building strategic partnerships and uncovering new insights, Energy Catalyst supports the development of technologies and business models that can improve lives in Africa and Asia. Energy Catalyst is an Innovate UK programme with co-funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Global Challenges Research Fund, the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

2. Other advisory programs and projects as required

Consultant Objectives:

Provide advisory services to companies supported by ECAP 1&2 and other programs (such as PREO, Get.invest and other programs) to help them to raise finance and develop their business models in Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe mostly.

Provide inputs on the energy sector into Mercy Corps and E4I business development concept notes and proposals.

Consultant Activities:

The Consultant will:

ECAP and other advisory programs

1. Conduct research including desk-based literature reviews, field surveys as needed, key stakeholder interviews, transcripts, data analysis etc. in the energy sector and other sectors as needed.
2. Conduct environmental analysis including energy consumption and pollutant emission calculations.
3. Advise companies on structuring business models, identifying rider preferences, creating a value proposition for the offering etc.
4. Build models and analytical tools such as cost-benefit analyses, emission profiles, carbon saving calculators etc.
5. Contribute to knowledge management products such as vetting the theme and structure for reports, ensuring that they are market-reflective, drafting sections of reports, reviewing report drafts etc.
6. Develop transaction pipeline as required by the Client for executing technical assistance, grant funding opportunities and other program level partnerships.
7. Conduct other ad-hoc requests falling within the expertise of the Consultant as needed by the Client.

Business development concept notes and proposals

1. Conduct research to support the design of concept notes and business development proposals for both multi-sector and energy-sector programs
2. Write relevant sections of concept notes and business development proposals.

Consultant Deliverables:

The Consultant will:

1. ECAP and other advisory programs

• Literature reviews, field surveys, stakeholder interview transcripts.
• TA support and reports to SMEs (models, analytical tools, emissions profiles, carbon savings calculators)
• References for pipeline opportunities.

1. Business development

• Summary of research findings
• Relevant sections of concept notes and proposals

Timeframe / Schedule:

Up to 8 days a month for the period from August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024

The Consultant will report to:

• Regional Director of programs and advisory for ECAP
• Director of Global Advisory, E4I, and Program Director for Get.invest and ECAP for any other programs

The Consultant will work closely with:

• Other ECAP consultants
• Other project managers

Required Experience & Skills:

• 5-10 years of experience in relevant technical field (required)
• Extensive knowledge of energy markets in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

**Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
**Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment OpportunityWe are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & EthicsMercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.