Practical Action Consulting

Practical Action

PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT / TEAM LEADER ENERGY LEAD April 2021

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

Contents Practical Action Consulting

The Role

Job Summary

Responsibilities

Candidate profile

Skills, Abilities and Competencies

How to Apply

About Oxford HR

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

Practical Action Consulting Practical Action Consulting (PAC) is the consulting arm of the Practical Action Group. The Practical Action Group has consulting offices in the UK, Senegal, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Kenya and Peru - each managed separately, but working in collaboration. This role is with the PAC International team, which is led from the UK but delivers work internationally and collaborates with colleagues in other PAC ‘global’ offices. PAC International is a small, dynamic team of highly skilled consultancy professionals working in the energy, agriculture and resilience/disaster risk reduction sectors. Technical experts are supported by a roster of highly skilled associates as well as business development, contract/compliance management, communications and finance support staff. PAC International also provides consultancy services in clean cooking, energy policy/planning, energy finance, off-grid private sector engagement and gender/other equity in energy markets and access. PAC International’s ambitious strategy to 2025 contributes to the wider Group’s impact in energy, agriculture and climate resilience by: • Winning and delivering technical consultancy services and research contracts that shape the policies, strategies and practices of decision-makers, practitioners and the private sector. • Innovating and incubating practical solutions that can be scaled. • Facilitating and convening strategic partnerships with the private, public and research sectors. • Providing strategic and technical support to the wider Practical Action Group.

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

The Role

Title:

Energy Lead

Reporting to:

Managing Director, PAC International

Direct Reports: Energy Adviser, Energy Consultant, Energy Intern Location:

Flexible working options are available, but candidates are expected to spend a reasonable amount of time at our offices in Rugby, UK (preferred); or in our East Africa (Nairobi) or South Asia (Kathmandu) regional offices. Candidates must have the right to work in the country in which they apply

Travel:

Expected approximately 6 - 8 weeks per annum

Salary:

Grade and salary will be in accordance with the country in which the role is based

Closing Date:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

Job Summary This is a challenging and rewarding senior role within the PAC International team: leading the energy strategy; growing the portfolio; ensuring high quality development and delivery; serving as a ‘principal’ technical expert and lead; managing a small team and associates; representing and building business-relevant partnerships and networks. Reporting to the PAC International Managing Director, you will: • Lead the delivery of all aspects of the PAC energy strategy, including adapting it as required based on external market analysis and in close collaboration with the wider Practical Action Group’s energy strategy and PAC International SMT. • Develop and nurture strong external business-relevant partnerships and networks to support portfolio growth, client diversification, profile building and to position PAC International with strategic consortia. • Drive and deliver on energy business development processes ensuring quality, competitiveness and financial viability of offers (including meeting income generation targets). • Serve as a ‘principal’ technical expert and/or lead on assignments – preferably bringing expertise in humanitarian energy, productive use of energy and/or last mile energy access. • Ensure high quality, timely delivery and financial controls across the portfolio - and be willing to project manage as necessary. • Manage and nurture client relations to promote repeat business and position brand.

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

Job Summary • Lead and mentor a small team, fostering a culture of excellence that is business-oriented, results-driven and high performing. This will include assessments of team capabilities, supporting staff development and recruitment as necessary. • Grow and nurture the network of associates and ensure their effective deployment. • Provide and/or support the vision for innovation and ingenuity across all areas of work. • Work closely with other PAC and Practical Action colleagues, especially in energy, agriculture and markets and contribute to the wider Group’s strategic and technical capability. • Serve as a key member of the PAC International SMT: setting team strategy, reporting against progress, agreeing business targets, and contributing to communications and marketing strategies. • From time to time, provide/support the energy team to provide technical assistance to Practical Action energy programmes. Indicators of success in this role would include: • Steady growth in the energy portfolio across all three focus areas, meeting/exceeding income targets at a minimum • Energy portfolio aligns and contributes to Practical Action’s overall energy strategy • At least 1 new strategic partnership created/significant client added each year and existing partnerships and networks nurtured • A motivated, professional team capable of delivering to high quality, on time and within budgets

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

Responsibilities • Provides technical leadership and profile in one or more of PAC’s strategic focal areas for energy. • Nurtures and expands client, sector, technical and associate networks to support client diversification, portfolio growth and enhanced profile of PAC International. • Representation in strategic high-level fora and working groups. • Leads growth of PAC International Energy portfolio and ensures annual income targets are reached. As part of this, actively works on and leads bids, co-ordinates proposal team members, quality assures proposal submissions and assesses competitiveness of bids/approach. • Ensures PAC International energy team members are provided with sufficient oversight, support and capacity-building as required. • Ensures increased collaboration on development, delivery and other business aspects with PAC Global colleagues. • Provides high quality inputs (technical, financial, management) to and quality assures PAC International energy projects and proposals. • Provides leadership in terms of and creates space for others to input to innovation and creativity concerning our approach, strategy, external engagement and portfolio development. • Provides core contributions to the development of PAC International’s Strategic and Annual Business Planning, its monitoring, reporting and review. Ensures alignment with PA Group strategy. Works with others in the PA Group as appropriate to share and integrate learning (internal and external) and to manage knowledge.

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

Candidate profile This role will suit a candidate with an established track record and profile in the energy consultancy field. A specialism in either Productive Use of Energy and/or Humanitarian Energy is preferred. Significant experience of and a sound understanding of consultancy business approaches and models is essential. A strong understanding of the market and the ability to assess and position PAC for competitiveness in the space is required. Significant experience in developing and growing consultancy portfolios and teams is also a key criteria. The ability to write compelling, competitive and persuasive bids/concepts is essential. Strong project and financial management skills are also required. The candidate should have strong, active networks in the energy consultancy space: with clients, primes/partners, associates and technical experts/thought leaders. You will have demonstrated skill in nurturing and building networks, high-level representation, persuasive and effective communication and negotiation. To be successful, candidates require the qualities of a strong leader, manager and team player; with the enthusiasm, dynamism and motivation to grow the PAC International energy portfolio in size towards greater impact. A willingness to learn from and contribute to Practical Action’s ingenious approaches to energy is an important attribute. The ability to co-ordinate and build the capabilities of colleagues is essential, as well as the ability to work effectively in a team with external partners and consultants/associates. As with most consultancy roles: a degree of flexibility, multi-tasking and ability to respond to emerging opportunities or challenges is required.

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

Skills, Abilities and Competencies •

Masters or above in a related degree/qualification (energy, international development, economics, MBA or related field/ sector) or equivalent

•

High-level and ideally high profile technical expertise in one or more of PAC International’s strategic energy focal areas (humanitarian energy and/or productive use of energy preferred)

•

Established track record in and understanding of consultancy business approaches and models – for instance, extensive experience of writing winning bids and delivering successful, impactful projects; experience of managing projects both technically and financially

•

Proven track record in meeting income/growth targets and building viable, competitive portfolios

•

Established, active networks in the international energy sector

•

Demonstrated ability to build and nurture networks, raise profile and communicate persuasively and effectively

•

Significant experience in high-level client and sector engagement and representation

•

Ability to innovate and think creatively to offer new and exciting ideas, projects and concepts to clients

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

Skills, Abilities and Competencies •

Knowledge and experience of off-grid energy technologies and sustainable business models

•

A driven and motivated individual, with the ability to motivate and inspire others towards more ambitious portfolio and impact growth

•

Interest and experience in building capacity, mentoring and/or coaching others

•

Ability to collaborate and work effectively in teams, internally (across our global offices) and externally

•

Ability to work flexibly, multi-task and respond to emerging opportunities/challenges effectively

•

Experience of working in Africa (particularly West Africa) and South Asia is desirable

•

Ability to speak French is desirable

•

Demonstrable track record/CV able to be included in bids for projects where clients require extensive experience (minimum of 10 years +)

•

A sound understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion across all dimensions

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

How to Apply All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter. Please provide a CV and cover letter in two different documents. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. The document should be saved in MS Word in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document NameDate (mmyyyy) e.g., Malika Cook-CV-032021Practical-Action. Please note that all our clients recruiting in the UK are legally obliged to confirm that the appointee is eligible to work in the UK. As of 1 January 2021, government’s new regulations will apply. For further information visit the Home Office website. Timeline Closing Date: First stage interviews: Final interviews:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis TBD TBD

The interview will happen remotely in 2 stages:

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

•

Short interview with one or two panel members to discuss immediate questions arising from CV and covering letter

•

Shortlisted candidates from the above stage will proceed to a full panel interview, which will likely include submission of an interview task ahead of the interview date.

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

How to Apply Selection process All applications are acknowledged and candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder. Equality Statement Equality and diversity are at the core of (organisation name) values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected. Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion about the role and the organisation, please email pac-energy@oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance.

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

About Oxford HR Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy. Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our client.

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

OXFORD

LONDON

AMSTERDAM

NAIROBI

46 Woodstock Road

Three Tuns House,

Korte Schimmelstraat 12

Watermark Business Park

Oxford

109 Borough High Street,

1053 SZ

Cove Court,

OX2 6HT

London

Amsterdam

1st Floor

SE1 1NL

Ndege Road off Langata Road

United Kingdom

The Netherlands

Kenya

+44 (0) 1865 985 457

+44 (0)20 7939 7451

+31 (0) 683 334 473

+254 (0) 797 233 217

www.oxfordhr.co.uk | Company No. 6456325

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

Practical Action Consulting - Energy Lead

Articles inside

How to Apply

Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Job Summary

Responsibilities

Candidate profile