Title: Advisor (Energy Practice Group) Location: Washington, DC Application Deadline: 21 February 2024
Introduction: Mindseeker is looking for an Energy Practice Group Advisor to join the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and support a variety of assignments associated with the management and oversight of the design, development, and implementation of energy sector projects in MCC partner countries.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Prepares plans for energy sector programs and projects in compact development and in implementation including overall power sector analysis, project scheduling, budgeting, change management, contract administration, and project controls.
Works as part of multi-disciplinary country team consisting of a combination of MCC staff,
consultants and contractors overseeing country programs involving energy projects. Supports multiple countries concurrently.
Oversees projects in context of complex political, environmental, social, and health and safety contexts or other variables and unknowns affecting planning, design and operational criteria and often-present critical challenges with respect to costs and economics. Works with other sectors towards the optimal resolution of such challenges as well as satisfying the urgency or public interest of investments. Solutions to these projects often establish standards and are used as a model for future similar projects.
Monitors and tracks and anticipates project challenges and proactively proposes options to address them, to the extent feasible, consistent with the combined needs of other sector specialists - and provides status reports to senior staff, with an emphasis on completion, integration, quality, and cost risks.
Participates in the design and development of Compacts, including, but not limited to technical assessment of constraints analyses, concept papers, and proposals; collection and analysis of data and information to finalize proposals; coordination with consultants on feasibility assessments and on project appraisal; drafting portions of the internal investment memorandum and other decision documents, supporting such inputs with appropriate analyses and supporting studies.
Works with MCC and host country MCA teams to develop project budgets for energy sector projects and related activities at the outset of the project as well as updated estimates of costs to complete and contingency requirements during project implementation.
Supports the development of implementation plans for Compact programs and projects using appropriate project management tools and tracks implementation progress, anticipating, and identifying issues as they arise and concurrently developing optimal solutions with a view of sustainability.
Reviews and comments on documents submitted in connection with MCC clearance of MCA procurement packages, work plans, and disbursement requests, making recommendations to EPG sector lead or IEPS management as may be appropriate, consistent with policies and procedures and technical best practice.
Provides advice and guidance when technical interpretations, opinions, or decisions are solicited. Consultations involve assessment of engineering design, specifications, evaluations, construction scheduling, and related project risks as well as assessment of operational capabilities of contractors, supervisors and project management consultants supporting the MCA.
Participates in oversight reviews of Compact operations to ascertain that energy sector projects and programs meet expectations against schedule and budget requirements; performance standards; environmental, health and safety requirements; objectives and indicators.
Reports on project-related implementation risks, providing input to risk management plans and risk analyses for MCC management.
Prepares relevant documentation and reports and maintains the required databases during implementation of projects.
Provides analysis and interpretation of country Compact performance data. Develops, consolidates, and/or prepares briefing and background materials on energy sector and integrated projects, issues, and topics.
Assists in the formulation of budgets for consultants to be hired by MCC, drafting scopes of work, serving on evaluation panels, issuance of technical directives, review, and acceptance of consultant deliverables, tracking billings, in support of the COTR or Project Monitor or in the capacity of the Project Monitor.
In context of the development of Compacts and their implementation, works closely with the in-country counterparts and contributes to the exchange of information, co-learning, and constructive dialogue that is needed for the MCAs to fully understand MCC policies, standards, and requirements - while also considering local context, capacity, and limitations.
Throughout the Compact development and implementation cycle, contributes to gathering and consolidating of lessons learned resulting from the implementation of energy sector related investments and pro-actively shares these with the broader MCC staff, other MCA countries and broader stakeholders as necessary to position the MCC at the leading edge of the discipline in context of international development.
Provides research and analysis on complex issues regarding the monitoring and evaluation of long-term energy sector projects and programs affiliated with country compacts.
Provides independent analysis and interpretation of performance data, while considering different input from other team members. Identifies and makes recommendations regarding performance and specification compliance issues. Identifies and investigates complex problems and conflicts in assigned area of responsibility involving program and project requirements, objectives, interfaces, operations, or schedules.
Provides analytical support to the Energy Practice Lead and the EPG on a variety of energy sector matters in support of EPG goals, preparation of conference presentations, briefers, and other such quick-turnaround activities.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study.
7+ years of experience developing and executing power sector programs in an international setting.
Knowledge of the policies and guidelines of energy programs and operations - and familiarity with other non-infrastructure factors (e.g., environmental, social, political, economic) sufficient to provide guidance and develop optimal and integrated solutions to Compact development and/or implementation challenges.
Experience working with teams composed of staff and stakeholders of different levels, while progressing an energy sector project towards a common goal.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate engineering principles, concepts, and requirements to peers but also to non-engineering specialists and other sectors to be able to effectively function within a multidisciplinary team.
Exposure to international development context and cross cultural sensitively sufficient to be able to function with a view of contextual (environmental, social, gender-specific, or other) requirements which influence both the implementation and operational viability of investments in development contexts.
Proficient computer skills, including ability to produce concise, clear reports utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working on development projects in MCC partner countries.
Experience working with MCC.
Advanced degree (Master’s, PhD, etc.) in a relevant field of study.
Language Skill Preferences:
Working proficiency in an MCC country language (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic).
Work Environment:
Work is primarily performed in an office setting.
Occasional foreign travel to developing countries with limited infrastructure may be required.
Suitability Requirements:
All MCC employees must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, including credit check, prior to starting.
EEOC Statement: Mindseeker provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Engineering and Information Technology
Industries
Business Consulting and Services
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