Regional Technology Mentor

Job Title: Regional Technology Mentor 
Reports to: GVEP Country Manager - Tanzania 
Duty station: Geita 
Contract duration: Open Ended 
Purpose: 
GVEP supports the growth of energy-focused micro, small and medium sized enterprises, as a means to drive economic prosperity and contribute to energy access in the region in a way that is inclusive of people living in poverty. A key element of this work is to link energy businesses, which we support, to loan products and other finance. 
The GVEP Programmes component [PDP2] in Tanzania supports and promotes energy enterprises engaging with phone charging and diversification to other related energy businesses such as barber shop, video show, cooling drinks(refrigeration) in off-grid communities of the Lake Zone. 
The key element of the project among others is the comprehensive business training, technology training, financial training and gender training with tailor-made mentorship prepared to mitigate enterprises challenges/barriers for growth. The project also supports market development activities in specifically defined niches and financial linkages to mitigate the capital access problem. GVEP wish to recruit a Regional Technology Mentor who will be based in Geita, Tanzania. 

Main responsibilities include: 
· Support the recruited entrepreneurs by understanding their business ambitions and assessing/identifying their technology gaps 
· Training entrepreneurs on solar phone charging technology (covering system sizing, quality, installation, operations and maintenance) alongside the business training offered by the Business Development Services team 
· Mentoring entrepreneurs in collaboration with GVEP Regional Business Mentors (RBM) by identifying their technology needs that will also be useful in business planning, 
· Providing practical solutions and assistance to arising technology issues related to the solar phone charging equipment operated by entrepreneurs 
· Advise on the designing of the solar phone charging systems, equipment specifications and quality standards, installation, operations and maintenance, reliable suppliers and technicians 
· Engaging local solar PV technicians in serving the recruited entrepreneurs. This will involve identifying the technical and business capacity gaps, developing improvement plans, implementation manuals and introducing the technicians to the targeted entrepreneurs. 
· Assisting in technical due diligence for loan applications to establish appropriate equipment specifications (size, capacity, etc), cost and installation plan. 
· Providing support to solar phone charging equipment suppliers and other renewable energy products suppliers in market development activities and creating commercial linkages between them and supported entrepreneurs 
· Provide regular reports to the Country Manager and BDS Coordinator as may be required from time to time using the agreed GVEP reporting templates and timelines 
· Collecting Data, analyzing and providing feedback to the Business Development Services Coordinator and Country Manager 
· To support GVEP International Management team on key assignments as may be required from time to time. 
· Identify and engage potential individuals and institutions which could offer direct support to the entrepreneurs for the purpose of increasing sustainability of the BDS provided by GVEP 
· Contribute to research and development activities and keeping abreast with the development in the energy and related sectors in order to increase the technical capacity of GVEP to improve the technology support offered , assisting in technology related studies and market assessments; 
· Identify new business opportunities, legal and regulatory issues such as standards, certification and licensing programs, health and safety, environmental management that may affect the energy entrepreneurs 

Qualifications, skills and experience 
· Holder of a minimum of Full Technicians Certificate (FTC) in industrial, electrical fitter or electrical engineering or a bachelor degree in relevant field 
· Trained in solar PV Systems or renewable energy from a recognized institution 
· Minimum of 2 years’ hands on experience in solar systems design, procurement, installation, operations and maintenance, particularly in rural settings 
· Hands on experience as a trainer, facilitator and advisor in energy technology production, installation, utilization/operations and maintenance. 
· Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision. 
· Good communication and writing skills 
· Analytical and troubleshooting skills related to solar technologies and business performance. 
· Ability to create, impart technical skills and guide an enterprise to achieve the desired technology performance. 

Submission of applications: 
Qualified candidates should submit their application by sending a complete and comprehensive CV and a cover letter via e-mail to recruitment@gvepinternational.org under the reference “Application for the Position of Regional Technology Mentor” so as to reach us by latest 6th November, 2015 

GVEP International is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.