Senior Project Implementation Manager - DRC, Zimbabwe, Zambia

CrossBoundary Energy is recruiting a highly skilled and experienced (10+ years’ proven experience) Project Manager to lead the implementation of CBE’s portfolio of hybrid renewable energy projects which consists of >200 MWp solar PV and >500MWh battery energy storage systems in DRC, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Senior Project Implementation Manager - DRC, Zimbabwe, Zambia
CrossBoundary Energy  

About the Firm

CrossBoundary Energy develops, owns, and operates distributed renewable energy solutions for businesses, offering cheaper and cleaner energy through power purchase and lease agreements. With a secured portfolio exceeding $680M, the company boasts over 500MW of solar PV and wind generation, approximately 600MWh of battery energy storage, and around 50MW of enabling thermal generation assets. Their clients include industry leaders like Rio Tinto, Unilever, Diageo, Heineken, and Devki Group.  

The diverse portfolio features large-scale renewable-led hybrid power plants for mines, rooftop and ground-mount solar PV plants for industrial clients, and distributed solar PV and battery power solutions for telecommunications sites. As a member of the CrossBoundary Group, founded in 2011, CrossBoundary Energy is dedicated to unlocking the power of capital for sustainable growth and strong returns in underserved markets. Learn more at www.crossboundaryenergy.com.  

Job Description 

CrossBoundary Energy is recruiting a Project Manager to manage the implementation process for CBE’s hybrid renewable energy projects in Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The portfolio consists of >200 MWp solar PV and >500MWh battery energy storage systems.  

This highly skilled and experienced Project Manager will oversee the project implementation process of the hybrid renewable energy projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the project, i.e., pre-construction, construction, and post-construction phases, ensuring timely completion, adherence to budget and quality standards, and compliance with safety regulations. The Project Manager will act as CBE’s representative for the project, working alongside CBE’s engineering, procurement, and construction partners to validate project schedule, budget, and risk mitigation. This role will be responsible for reporting on project progress, managing project partners to act consistently with CBE’s technical and EHS standards, raising gaps in performance to CBE’s Project Implementation Lead, and ensuring corrective measures are taken on- site where needed.  

The Project Manager will report to the Project Implementation Lead. This position is available as a 24-month contract, with the opportunity to convert to permanent placement subject to performance. The permanent position would offer opportunities to service additional CBE renewable energy projects across Africa. 

Who We Are  

The CrossBoundary Energy team is a unique group of people who are genuinely excited by the opportunity to make a difference in some of the world's most challenging and exciting renewable energy markets. The chosen candidate will play an important role in a unique team with the opportunity to make a large impact on the clean energy landscape in Africa. Team members come from diverse backgrounds but share several qualities: curiosity, humility, integrity, a drive for excellence, and a bias for action.  

Who You Are  

• Excellence: Demonstrated expertise in implementing the best international practices for managing construction risks across a variety of large-scale hybrid power projects  

• Excellence: You hold yourself to high standards and lead by example. You overdeliver on all tasks – big or small – necessary to contribute toward the team objective.  

• Acts Like an Owner: A systematic and highly organized project manager; takes personal accountability for tracking activities across workstreams to drive them all to successful conclusion.  

• Deliberate Thinker: A pragmatic decision-maker known for choosing the simplest solution to reach the goal. Writing in documents and emails is brief, clear, and free of misspellings or confusing formatting. You speak up in team meetings to summarize your conclusions and offer new ideas.  

• Curiosity: Not satisfied with “no;” assists others to generate creative solutions. You do not make or accept ultimatums.  

• Bias to Action: Self-starter who is passionate about creating lasting change in Africa. You are comfortable with ambiguity, accountable for your decisions, and can operate without direction in a fast-moving environment.  

• Prioritize Results: Effectively employs software and project management tools to meet project and personal goals.  

• Authentically Cares: Patient in developing good working relationships with clients, suppliers, and consultants.  

• Integrity: Your set your standards above the minimum required for compliance where necessary to deliver an excellent project  

Required Qualifications  

• 10+ years’ proven experience in project management, specifically in the construction of large-scale renewable energy projects or large-scale infrastructure projects. 

• Strong technical knowledge of solar PV, battery energy storage systems, and thermal power generation technologies. 

• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders and multicultural teams. 

• Professional fluency in English (French is a plus), speaking and writing.   

• Professional fluency in use of Microsoft Office suite tools, including MS Project, Excel and Word  

• Demonstrated ability to organize and complete work independently, without supervision. This can be a remotely managed position.  

Primary Responsibilities  

The Project Manager will support the CBE project team, EPC and subcontractors in general project implementation, coordination and EHS management duties. Additional specific duties are listed below:    

• Develop and maintain comprehensive project execution plans, schedules, and budgets to ensure alignment with project objectives and timelines. 

• Monitor and update project work schedules using existing templates and effectively track project progress throughout the hybrid projects’ lifecycle.  

• Carry out a technical review of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to understand the following: 

  • CBE’s obligations of the Client. 

  • Associated penalties and risks. 

  • Requirements regarding project schedule. 

• Support in technical review of the supply agreements and appendices, and contribute towards scoping, structuring and execution of the EPC agreements. 

• Prepare interface matrices, for both internal and external interfaces, covering mechanical, electrical, control and communication interfaces of the project. 

• Identify project schedule and budget risks at an early stage and alert the Project Implementation Lead in time to minimize or mitigate impacts.  

• Prepare regular progress reports, status updates, and presentations for internal management, stakeholders, and project sponsors to provide visibility into project performance and ensure alignment with expectations. 

• Consistently, accurately, and clearly capture project construction data. Transmit weekly reports to the team through existing tools in accordance with reporting deadlines, including stakeholder grievances. 

• Accurately carry out project document control and monitor the documentation through to project’s completion. 

• Investigate opportunities to improve project implementation to deliver the best value to CBE and to the customer and optimize project returns.  

• Interpret basic technical design principles related to energy systems, electrical systems, and the built environment, including technical drawings and equipment data sheets.  

• Promote a culture of safety and environmental responsibility on-site, enforce HSE policies and procedures, and oversee the implementation of best practices to mitigate risks and prevent accidents or incidents.  

• Identify potential risks and issues affecting project delivery and develop mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions and ensure smooth execution. 

• Implement quality control measures and ensure compliance with relevant regulations, industry standards, and environmental requirements throughout the construction phase. 

• Conduct site audits of compliance with CBE and international EHS standards. Recommend and validate corrective actions to close compliance gaps.  

• Demonstrate awareness of all laws and regulations relevant for project work and proactively raise questions with the Project Implementation Lead about best practices for compliance.  

Think you have what it takes but not sure you check every box? Research shows that while men apply to roles when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women often only apply when they meet every requirement. If you are passionate about what we're building, we want to hear from you!  

Location

The staff’s place of work and/or authorized duty station shall be in such a location as designated by the Company from time to time and in its sole discretion. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company anticipates that the staff’s duty station shall be in Nairobi. 

The successful candidate will perform work for the initial 24 months in Nairobi and on-site in the respective project countries supervising construction activities. Subsequent assignments, as applicable, would require frequent international travel.  

Equal Opportunity Employer

CrossBoundary is an equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to [email protected]

Contact  

Interested candidates should apply at https://www.crossboundary.com/careers/.