Senior Solar Energy Advisor (Off-Grid & Grants Specialist)

Department: Renewable Energy Project Development

Location: Africa

Description

Allied Talent Partners is a talent marketplace, connecting experienced professionals with climate-related projects and businesses in Africa.

High-Level Overview

Client :
The client is a leading energy company specialising in the trading and physical supply of bunker fuels and petroleum products across West Africa. Through a partnership with an international solar technology manufacturer (specialising in ultra-thin, durable photovoltaic panels), the client aims to deploy off-grid solar solutions under Nigeria's DARES programme (Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up), a World Bank-funded initiative targeting 2 million underserved households. The immediate priority is to secure grant allocation for 10,000+ standalone solar units (3-6 Wp) while building a foundation for large-scale market entry, including potential local assembly/manufacturing.

Project :
The client is looking for a Senior Solar Energy Advisor to support the development of a plan to enable company's entry into the renewable energy sector, review the DARES programme grant application requirements, design a compliant standalone system that integrates with their partner's existing solar panels (aligning technical specifications with both grant and market needs), and prepare technical/business documentation for the grant submission.

Role and Responsibilities

Role: Senior Solar Energy Advisor (Off-Grid & Grants Specialist)
Direct Report: Head, Strategy & Corporate Development
Candidates Required: 1

Key Deliverables:
1. Technical Design & Compliance

• Design a standalone solar system (3–6 Wp DC) that integrates with the client’s partner’s existing solar panels – either in their current form or with modifications advised by the consultant. Ensure the final system meets DARES programme requirements and is optimised for rural Nigerian households.
• Define technical specifications including system components (e.g., solar panels, batteries), load profiles, and durability and system performance standards under local climatic conditions (e.g., dust and moisture resistance).
• Ensure regulatory compliance, aligning with Nigerian standards (SON, REA), and relevant international code

2. Grant Application & Strategic Scaling

• Decipher DARES grant requirements and eligibility criteria (e.g., prior deployments, community engagement).
• Develop a competitive grant proposal with:
  • Technical documentation: e.g., system drawings, bill of materials (BOM), installation guidelines etc. (i.e. as specified in the grant requirements)
  • Commercials: Cost structure (unit economics, logistics), after-sales support plan.
  • Scalability roadmap: Phased rollout and successful deployment of a minimum of 10,000 units.
• Advise on site selection using data-driven criteria (e.g., energy poverty maps, grid proximity, community needs etc.,).

3. Market Entry & Long-Term Strategy Advisory

• Provide strategic advisory on scaling the solution in Nigeria, beyond the DARES programme, including:
  • Distribution channels: Partnerships with local cooperatives, financing models.
  • Policy alignment: e.g. Leveraging REA programmes and incentives.
  • Local integration: Sourcing compatible components (batteries, charge controllers) to reduce costs.
• Draft a high-level market entry plan covering local manufacturing potential and financial sustainability.
  
  

Requirements

Experience Required:

• 8+ years supporting the design, deployment, and management of standalone solar systems.
• Hands-on experience with off-grid solutions for rural communities (e.g., PAYG solar, DC microgrids).
• Proven track record with World Bank/IFC/NGO-funded or similar projects (e.g., IFC and WBG's Lighting Africa, AfDB's Desert to Power etc.)., including grant structuring, compliance, and disbursement mechanisms.
• Ability to translate technical specifications into compelling grant proposals, integrating commercial strategies (cost models, scalability plans).
• Experience advising on market entry strategies, from site selection to long-term scaling (10,000+ units).
• Strong technical-to-commercial acumen, with a history of bridging engineering specs and business viability.
• Experience working with or for leading organisations in off-grid solar deployment (e.g., Schneider Electric, d.light, BBOXX)
• Experience working across Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria-specific experience strongly preferred.

Technical Requirements:

• Expertise in off-grid solar PV systems (3-6 Wp), including component selection (panels, batteries, charge controllers) and load profiling for rural applications (e.g., 4 LED bulbs + phone charging).
• Proficiency in system sizing and optimisation tools to balance performance, cost, and durability.
• Mastery of the relevant technical standards, Nigerian SON certifications, and safety codes.
• Ability to produce detailed technical documentation and business cases linking technical specs to commercial viability.
• Experience tailoring systems for low-consumption households , while optimising for maintenance and scalability.

Skills:

• Strategic thinker with strong project management and stakeholder communication abilities.
• A natural ability to see the big picture while managing details, ensuring solutions are both innovative and practical.
• Comfort navigating ambiguity and adapting plans to meet evolving project need.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build trust with diverse stakeholders.

Work Arrangement
Location: | Hybrid
Travel requirements: | Occasional travel within Nigeria

Terms of Agreement
Required start date: | ASAP
Contracting period: | 4-6 weeks
Budget: | TBD