TERMS OF REFERENCE: PROGRAM MANAGER
EarthSpark International, a US-based non-profit with the mission to eradicate energy poverty, is seeking a practical, motivated, action-oriented person who is ready to dive into rewarding but challenging work on energy access in rural Haiti. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage meaningfully at the early stage of a replicable model and to acquire hands-on experience in rural electrification.
The Program Manager will be a team-player in a ‘start-up culture’ context and must work well with collaborators inside and outside the organization. The individual will need to feel comfortable taking on multiple roles in an often times less than comfortable environment. The ideal candidate will not only have technical acumen, but will also feel comfortable jumping into community meetings in rural Haiti and presenting at high-level meetings in Port-au-Prince or Washington, DC.
The core function of this role is to work with the EarthSpark International Management Team to support the successful day-to-day operations of the organization as we develop and implement a scalable model for community-scale energy-access microgrids in Haiti. The Program Manager will initially gain experience with EarthSpark’s microgrid in Les Anglais, Haiti. Launched in November 2012 and expanded in 2015, the Les Anglais grid serves 450 rural households on a pre-pay basis and is a town-sized, solar-powered smart grid providing affordable, reliable electricity where previously there was none. Day to day operations of the grid are carried out by Enèji Pwòp, SA, a Haitian social enterprise spun-off by EarthSpark, with oversight from the Director of Microgrid Operations.
Job Summary
The Program Manager will perform a wide range of tasks that are critical to the successful realization of the EarthSpark mission. He/she will report directly to the EarthSpark International Management Team and work closely with the staff of Enèji Pwòp, S.A. and in-country EarthSpark staff. This position is based in Washington, DC but will require frequent travel to Haiti (approximately 30%) and may require some travel to other countries.
This position will work closely with management to support the field team and will include training on every aspect of running, maintaining and troubleshooting issues on the Les Anglais microgrid. In addition to contributing to grid operations support, the successful candidate will carry out specific, independent projects.
Duties and Responsibilities
Complement and support the field team with microgrid oversight including:
Any and all other duties as required.
Skills and Qualifications
- Excellent writing and speaking skills in English
- Proficiency in French required (Haitian Kreyol is an additional advantage)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
- Understanding of project management
- Ability to work with others
- Excellent organization, great attention to detail, and ability to self-motivate
- Willingness to discover and understand the Haitian culture
- Strong sense of community
- Dedication to improving rural access to clean energy
- Willingness to take public transportation in Haiti
We are not able to sponsor visas for those not eligible to work in the United States.
Education and Experience
The successful candidate will be a ‘Jack or Jill of all trades’ with the ability to dive deeply into different aspects of rural electrification. We are seeking a can-do generalist with deep skills in one or more of the following domains: entrepreneurship, international development, electrical engineering, project management, accounting and finance. The candidate should have a demonstrated capacity to manage challenging and complex environments. Degrees in a relevant domain and experience living in a developing country are strong advantages.
Compensation
Commensurate with experience. When in Haiti, transportation and accommodation will be provided.
How to Apply
Please send a CV, cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience, and two writing samples no longer than three pages, with the subject line: “Program Manager” to [email protected]. Writing samples in French or Haitian Creole are also encouraged, but not required. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
The Program Manager will be a team-player in a ‘start-up culture’ context and must work well with collaborators inside and outside the organization. The individual will need to feel comfortable taking on multiple roles in an often times less than comfortable environment. The ideal candidate will not only have technical acumen, but will also feel comfortable jumping into community meetings in rural Haiti and presenting at high-level meetings in Port-au-Prince or Washington, DC.
The core function of this role is to work with the EarthSpark International Management Team to support the successful day-to-day operations of the organization as we develop and implement a scalable model for community-scale energy-access microgrids in Haiti. The Program Manager will initially gain experience with EarthSpark’s microgrid in Les Anglais, Haiti. Launched in November 2012 and expanded in 2015, the Les Anglais grid serves 450 rural households on a pre-pay basis and is a town-sized, solar-powered smart grid providing affordable, reliable electricity where previously there was none. Day to day operations of the grid are carried out by Enèji Pwòp, SA, a Haitian social enterprise spun-off by EarthSpark, with oversight from the Director of Microgrid Operations.
Job Summary
The Program Manager will perform a wide range of tasks that are critical to the successful realization of the EarthSpark mission. He/she will report directly to the EarthSpark International Management Team and work closely with the staff of Enèji Pwòp, S.A. and in-country EarthSpark staff. This position is based in Washington, DC but will require frequent travel to Haiti (approximately 30%) and may require some travel to other countries.
This position will work closely with management to support the field team and will include training on every aspect of running, maintaining and troubleshooting issues on the Les Anglais microgrid. In addition to contributing to grid operations support, the successful candidate will carry out specific, independent projects.
Duties and Responsibilities
Complement and support the field team with microgrid oversight including:
- Interface with EarthSpark and Enèji Pwòp to ensure the smooth microgrids operations and microgrid development in new towns
- Interface with SparkMeter staff to ensure a fully functioning and appropriately customized metering system as needed
- Collect and collate data and information on microgrid development in Haiti.
- Collaborate with academic researchers in assessing social and economic impact of microgrid electrification in Haiti.
- Tackle specific topics with end-to-end research and analysis.
- Support report writing and budget management.
- Author blogs and social media posts.
- Deliver presentations on the importance of expanding energy access in Haiti when needed. Help give tours of the Les Anglais grid to donors, partners, and other interested stakeholders.
- Represent EarthSpark International at conferences, workshops and stakeholder consultations as needed.
- Work with the EarthSpark International Management Team on business model development, fundraising, and program development and implementation.
- Maintain and oversee a fundraising database.
- Oversee administrative processes in the US and Haiti
Any and all other duties as required.
Skills and Qualifications
- Excellent writing and speaking skills in English
- Proficiency in French required (Haitian Kreyol is an additional advantage)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
- Understanding of project management
- Ability to work with others
- Excellent organization, great attention to detail, and ability to self-motivate
- Willingness to discover and understand the Haitian culture
- Strong sense of community
- Dedication to improving rural access to clean energy
- Willingness to take public transportation in Haiti
We are not able to sponsor visas for those not eligible to work in the United States.
Education and Experience
The successful candidate will be a ‘Jack or Jill of all trades’ with the ability to dive deeply into different aspects of rural electrification. We are seeking a can-do generalist with deep skills in one or more of the following domains: entrepreneurship, international development, electrical engineering, project management, accounting and finance. The candidate should have a demonstrated capacity to manage challenging and complex environments. Degrees in a relevant domain and experience living in a developing country are strong advantages.
Compensation
Commensurate with experience. When in Haiti, transportation and accommodation will be provided.
How to Apply
Please send a CV, cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience, and two writing samples no longer than three pages, with the subject line: “Program Manager” to [email protected]. Writing samples in French or Haitian Creole are also encouraged, but not required. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.