Economic Development SpecialistApplication Deadline: 15 November 2024Department: Economic DevelopmentEmployment Type: Permanent - Full TimeLocation: South AfricaDescriptionFor more than 20 years, Globeleq has been a long-term investor, developer, owner and operator of diversified power projects in Africa, where the company is one of the largest Independent Power Producers. With nearly 1500MW of generation capacity in operation across 16 power plants in 7 countries, 488MW of new power projects in construction and >2,000MW in development, Globeleq is one of the largest independent power producers solely focused in Africa. Globeleq is 70% owned by British International Investment and 30% by Norfund, the development finance institutions of the UK and Norway, and has a proven track record for supporting the ongoing development of the African power sector. Globeleq's various generation technologies include gas, wind, solar PV, battery energy storage (BESS), and geothermal. The company is also actively pursuing new opportunities which are emerging from the energy transition, including desalination projects powered by renewables, as well as green hydrogen and ammonia projects.In this role, the Economic Development Specialist is responsible for the implementation; monitoring and evaluation of the socio-economic development (SED) and enterprise development (EnD) strategies and plans for allocated renewable energy sites. These strategies should achieve maximum development impact for the minimum overhead spend.The Economic Development Specialist is responsible for stakeholder engagement at local and provincial level in respect of the allocated sites. This includes coordinating and monitoring performance of reputation management activities.This role is based at Globeleq's Droogfontein Solar Plant with frequent travel to De Aar.Key ResponsibilitiesConducting Community needs assessments and mapping of community assets:
Identification of key community stakeholders and role players in the development space
Identification and documentation of community assets that would be critical in the implementation of development projects
Conducting community needs assessment workshops with key role players
Producing report on community needs and assets for input in strategy development
Identification and structuring of Socio-Economic and Enterprise Development projects:
Identify project opportunities through consultation with relevant stakeholders
Conduct beneficiary assessment and selection in partnership with relevant partners
Document proposed projects, attaching proposed budget estimates as per Social Procedure 706
Present projects for approval by appropriate internal committee
Implementation; monitoring and evaluation of SED and ED projects:
Ensure proper contracting with partners and service providers; through Memoranda of Understanding; Service Level Agreements; Funding Agreements etc.
For infrastructure projects, ensure the beneficiaries provide and sign off on the specifications, service providers and implementation plans
Ensure that each project is captured on the M&E tool with appropriate KPI's and monitoring and evaluation schedule
Coordinate meetings with all relevant partners to monitor and evaluate project implementation at agreed intervals or milestones
Ensure proper exit and sustainability strategy is developed for each of the projects
Ensure proper project hand over; and sign off is done for infrastructure projects
Coordination and management of stakeholder mapping and engagement for each plant:
Conduct workshops with internal stakeholders to identify stakeholders
Develop maps for each plant with clear engagement plan
Review and update stakeholder maps annually
Development and maintenance of grievance handling mechanism for each plant:
Establish plant-based tools for reporting, recording and collating grievances
Ensure implementation of grievance handling procedure and as per Social Procedure 714
Compilation of all ED related reports (ED Plan, Monthly & Quarterly Reports):
Contribute ED reports to monthly Assets reports
Assembling & compilation of the information for ED plan
Contributing to quarterly reporting to the Department of Energy
Compilation of Annexure A/B Check Sheet
Delivery of reports by due date
Monitoring of Reputation Management Programme (RMP) for relevant plants:
Assist with the approval of media releases and communications strategy
Monitor month to month plant RMP status (Building/Maintenance/Recovery) to inform consultant activities
Updating of RMP status within monthly reports
Skills, Knowledge and ExpertiseSkills and Competencies:
Strong project management skills
Good interpersonal skills to liaise with a variety of stakeholders and service providers
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; in particular, presentation skills at all levels
Ability to thrive in an unpredictable environment
Creative and innovative thinking
Strong skills within excel and other MS Office platforms
Strong multi-disciplinary business administrative skills
Cross functional teamwork competencies
High level of integrity
High attention to detail
Experience, Knowledge and Qualifications:
Minimum of an undergraduate qualification in Social Sciences and/or Development studies or equivalent NQF level
Minimum of 3 years' experience in Economic Development related field of which 1 year would ideally be within South African Renewables Industry
Demonstrated knowledge of:
The South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme
Enterprise and Socio-Economic Development best practices
Monitoring and Evaluations systems maintenance
Media and Public Relations in the context of reputation management
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, ideally with isiXhosa and Afrikaans
Exposure to and knowledge of:
Microsoft office 365 suite
Enterprise Resource Management systems
Visual design best practices
Web development and online deployment would be an added advantage
Sustainable development best practices
Valid driver's licence is required
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