Job Posting: Senior Program Coordinator, US-East Africa Geothermal Partnership

Position Title: Senior Program Coordinator, U.S. – East Africa Geothermal Partnership

Location: Washington, DC

Category: International Development

Term: Full-Time Position

# of Positions: One

Summary

The United States Energy Association (USEA) seeks an experienced Senior Program Coordinator with experience in Sub-Saharan Africa (preferably East Africa), knowledge of the global energy sector, and an understanding of government contracting to assist with the execution of a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project to advance geothermal energy development in East Africa and expand business opportunities for U.S. geothermal companies.

Project Description

The U.S.-East Africa Geothermal Partnership (EAGP) is a program sponsored by USAID and the U.S. Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), and is implemented by USEA. The EAGP seeks to highlight the development of geothermal energy resources in East Africa and encourage and facilitate the involvement of U.S. geothermal companies and experts in the region. The program mandate includes all East African countries with substantive geothermal resources, but primarily focuses on Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Djibouti. Other East African countries that could potentially be covered under EAGP include Comoros, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique.

The mission of the U.S.-East Africa Geothermal Energy Partnership is to improve standards of living in the Rift Valley region of East Africa (EA) through increased use of geothermal resources for power generation as well as direct use. This is being achieved by fostering collaboration and information exchange between African governments, Africa-based private companies and financial institutions, U.S. geothermal companies, U.S. Government agencies, U.S. educational institutions, private investors and other bilateral and multilateral agencies. The initiative includes the provision of U.S. technical, educational, and financial support to enable interested East African governments, through increased use of geothermal resources, to increase the reliability and to decrease the costs associated with their grid-based power generation systems, train host country geoscientists and engineers, build government and private sector capacity, promote private investment, and secure multiple environmental benefits.

Position Description

The Senior Program Coordinator coordinates the planning, development, and implementation of various meetings, seminars, conferences, and overseas and U.S. exchange visits, as assigned by the Program Director and Deputy Program Director. This includes budgeting, arranging logistical requirements for workshops and conferences, and escorting foreign delegations within the United States and U.S. delegations abroad. The Senior Program Coordinator also assists the Program Director in developing technical programming for activities. The Senior Program Coordinator is responsible for representing USEA in a professional manner, conducting activities efficiently and effectively, and for evaluating and reporting the results of each activity.

Essential Responsibilities

• Responsible for logistical activities required to implement the numerous activities for the programs between the U.S. and foreign energy entities. Coordinates and assists in organizing and conducting information exchange visits, private sector forums and workshops, and private sector policy/technology cooperation exchanges.
• Communicates with USG project officers, overseas missions, and representatives of other U.S. agencies, U.S. energy companies, overseas energy officials and companies about specific program activities and plans.
• Assists in determining program information needs, preparing agendas, work plans, budgets, schedules, reports and other documents.
• Plans and arranges required airline travel, lodging, ground transportation, interpreting and translation services, meeting logistics, travel advances, and travel reimbursements for the implementation of program activities.
• Travels with delegations in the U.S. and overseas as directed and approved.
• Handles all necessary protocol arrangements for program activities.
• Prepares letters, invitations, agendas, reports, presentations and other documents as necessary.

Other Responsibilities

• Recommends strategies to be used and reports progress to the Program Director.
• Uses the internet and industry publications to collect information on the energy sector and programming and strategies for the region.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual reports and periodic success stories in addition to other articles for USEA and program-specific publications.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

The ideal candidate would possess:

• Knowledge of the global energy sector, specifically geothermal energy
• At least 3 years working experience with organizing workshops, conferences, exchange visits and trade missions for federal agencies
• Professional experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably in East Africa
• Understanding of USAID policies and procedures

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Studies, Political Science, Energy and Environment, or a related field
• 3-5 years of professional experience in the international development, energy and environment, contract management, or related fields
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office software
• Excellent written, verbal, and cross-cultural communication skills
• Strong research skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work closely in a small team
• Ability to travel within U.S. and overseas (up to 30%)
• Valid U.S. passport

Source: Idealist Website