Sierra Leone Project Manager
Position Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Position Type: Full-time Independent Contractor
Position Duration: 1 year with potential to extend based on performance
Background
Across sub-Saharan Africa, more than half a billion people cannot access electricity, while millions more live with unreliable and intermittent sources of power. Unreliable electricity hinders economic development, daily life, and access to essential services. Data on power quality at the customer level are limited or nonexistent in these contexts. In response to this challenge, nLine has developed GridWatch, an innovative way to measure grid performance and provide estimates of key performance indicators for grid reliability and quality. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7— ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all—will require investments to strengthen and expand power grids and off grid energy solutions. GridWatch data can provide a roadmap for strategic investments to strengthen the reliability and quality of provided power for customers.
At nLine, we build tools that improve the resolution of data available on electric performance of power systems globally. GridWatch measures power outages and quality in real time through individual plug-in sensors. To learn more about nLine, visit our website and blog.
nLine seeks a Sierra Leone Project Manager to lead on-the-ground implementation of power quality and reliability monitoring at businesses and households in Sierra Leone. This role will oversee activities related to the deployment and maintenance of sensors, data quality assurance, and relationship building with in-country policymakers, funders, and project implementers in the energy sector in Sierra Leone.
This is a unique opportunity for an outstanding individual to provide strong leadership and act as a critical bridge between project implementation, key energy decision-makers in Sierra Leone, and nLine’s headquarters team. The Project Manager must possess strong communication skills (written and verbal) in order to maintain strong connections with energy sector partners in Sierra Leone. The candidate must also possess strong managerial skills to efficiently and effectively manage project timelines and finances as well as temporary field staff teams.
The position will be located in Freetown, Sierra Leone and can expect to regularly travel in Western Urban and Western Rural districts for project maintenance. There may be occasional travel required to other areas of Sierra Leone outside of Freetown.
This position is ideal for a go-getter, energetic self-starter who has previous experience managing field operations and data collection. The Project Manager will work closely with and report to nLine’s HQ Project Manager based in the United States. Depending on the start date of the position and alignment with the start date of project(s), specific responsibilities may include the following:
Project Management:
Directly supervise a survey team in deploying the GridWatch sensors. This includes supervising the field team in survey administration and data collection, involving human subjects.
Use nLine’s backend data management systems to conduct weekly reviews of sensor data to ensure data quality assurance and to troubleshoot issues accordingly.
Visit sensor locations, as needed, to perform any required sensor maintenance or visits with participants.
Support with critical preparations for project kickoff. This includes purchasing field equipment, meeting with local stakeholders for project approval (as needed), and preparing arrangements for the survey team training.
Lead or co-lead the survey team training. nLine will provide comprehensive training for the Project Manager in advance and at least one nLine staff member will attend the training for additional support.
Serve as the point of contact for all field work and serve as the link between nLine headquarters and the on-the-ground project.
Serve as the point of contact for participants (households and/or businesses) in case of questions or concerns.
Oversee financial management of the project(s) which includes budget planning, tracking, and reporting. Regularly report project expenses to nLine HQ and ensure project expenses align with allotted budgets.
Maintain regular contact with nLine via Slack and join a weekly virtual check-in with the HQ team. This includes reporting on the progress of field activities and data quality assurance.
Manage your own working environment. This includes finding appropriate working space to take phone and video calls, and to store relevant project hardware such as GridWatch sensors and powerstrips. (Note: GridWatch sensor dimensions are 12cm height x 6 cm wide x 8 cm depth).
Partnership Engagement:
Cultivate relationships with key in-country project partners to ensure success and intended impact are achieved.
Support the development of new relationships with relevant energy stakeholders in Sierra Leone, as appropriate.
As appropriate and as needed, attend meetings, workshops, and conferences with local energy stakeholders, including government agencies, energy providers, and funders.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in energy and resources, energy policy, economics, public policy, public administration, business or a related field.
5 years of relevant work experience in project management and partnership engagement.
Experience supervising data collection research projects, including leading survey design, implementation, and data management.
Ability to supervise temporary field staff and manage projects independently.
Familiarity with using survey software (e.g. SurveyCTO or ODK Collect) and using a tablet.
Previous work experience in conducting surveys (human subjects research) with households or businesses.
Ability to meet weekly with nLine HQ over a virtual video platform (e.g. Zoom, Uber Conference, or Microsoft Teams).
Competency with Microsoft Office, Slack, email and video conferencing.
Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work successfully with mult-cultural teams.
Proven capacity to work independently and to be responsive to time-sensitive deadlines.
Self-directed, intrinsically motivated.
Well-organized with attention to detail.
Ability to deal with unstructured and changing environments.
Proactive in anticipating challenges and proposing solutions.
Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
Previous experience living and working in Sierra Leone.
Fluency in English.
Desired Qualifications
Master’s Degree in energy policy, energy and resources, energy systems, or a related field.
Previous experience working closely with multi-national donor organizations and government agencies in Sierra Leone.
Working knowledge of government energy policy making processes.
In possession of a working vehicle for visits with participants and project partners.
The position will be structured as an Independent Contractor role with nLine, with a set monthly salary. nLine will cover costs necessary to perform the job, including internet data plans, a project cell phone, and other necessary equipment. Payments will be made monthly upon invoice. The role is expected to begin in late 2024 or early 2025. The position described above is contingent upon activity award. Compensation to be negotiated, commensurate with experience.
Please submit a resume and cover letter (in English). Applications will not be considered without a cover letter. In your cover letter, please explain why you are interested in this role and what relevant qualifications you bring for this position.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, however please submit your application by September 20, 2024 for priority consideration.