Project Description
Abt Associates, a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation, seeks qualified candidates for the anticipated five-year, USAID Caribbean Energy Sector Modernization project to strengthen government interventions in the energy sector and promote the development of the energy sector in the Eastern Caribbean. Abt leads diverse and successful projects such as this around the world that are pioneering new approaches in governance, energy, health, agriculture, food security, climate change, and economic growth—as well as monitoring and evaluating projects within these sectors. We work throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East for chiefly governmental clients, including the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank.
Brief descriptions and qualification requirements for positions under consideration are listed below. All positions are contingent upon program award to Abt in various locations across the Caribbean.
The anticipated five-year, USAID Caribbean Energy Sector Modernization project will help to coordinate a regional program to support private investment in modern energy services and products, through financial and business development support to local modern energy businesses. This regional program will also support efforts to enhance government procurement of liquefied natural gas (LNG), solar, wind, and energy efficiency systems, as well as regulatory changes that increase the market for these services, while also supporting greater U.S. private sector investment in the Caribbean energy sector. Building energy sector resilience—to price shocks and to extreme weather events—will be a key cross-cutting theme.
The project will implement activities in Haiti, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and 10 Eastern/Southern Caribbean nations (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname).
Core Skills and Capabilities
For all positions, recruiters will be looking for the ability to independently plan and execute complex tasks while addressing daily management details; ability to remain organized and focused on long-term deadlines and strategy; willingness to travel within the region as needed; an outstanding professional reputation; strong interpersonal skills; written and spoken English, and oral presentation skills; experience with donor-funded programs preferred, including USAID-funded activities.
Available Positions:
Chief of Party – Assumes overall leadership, management and strategic direction for the program and provides overall technical, administrative, and quality assurance, financial management leadership and oversight to the project. Serves as the primary liaison with USAID, senior government officials and counterparts, the donor community, and other USAID programs.
Qualifications – An advanced degree in in economics, energy/environmental policy, engineering, MBA, or a related field. Chief of Party experience with USAID projects and 10+ years of progressive experience as a senior manager working with international development and energy sector projects.
Country Lead(s) (Multiple positions) – Leads engagement of CESM with key stakeholders in several countries such as Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Guyana, and others, and works with government officials, regulators, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, academia, and other international donors. Leads the design and supervision of implementation of CESM activities; manages the work of personnel and subcontractors in country; provides effective communications; manages country budget, planning, and reporting, and monitors progress against work plan indicators.
Qualifications – Graduate degree in power systems, energy policy, business, engineering or other relevant field; extensive energy knowledge and experience; and extensive experience working with power utilities, energy regulators, and the private sector to develop a common vision and catalyze investment in the power sector, preferably including renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Energy Efficiency Specialist – Identifies and assesses opportunities and barriers for the adoption of energy efficiency systems, performs in-depth analysis and estimates the benefits of the adoption of energy efficiency systems. Provides technical advice on the development of standards, labels, and other instruments to promote energy efficiency across a wide range of products. Designs activities that can help to build the capacity of key stakeholders to conduct energy audits and identify opportunities to implement energy efficiency systems;
Qualifications – Bachelor’s degree in engineering, economics, or other relevant discipline is required. A graduate degree in a relevant field is preferred. 10 years of professional experience working in the adoption of energy efficiency systems and a demonstrated ability to achieve the objectives of the CESM program. Extensive experience working with regulators, the private sector, certification bodies, and other relevant stakeholders to develop a common vision and advance energy efficiency projects.
Energy Policy and Regulation Lead – Leads engagement with relevant counterparts to identify opportunities and needs to strengthen the policy and regulatory environment of the energy sector, and to create an enabling environment that is conducive to private sector investment in generation, transmission, and distribution. Provides thought leadership on potential solutions and best practices; supports the development and implementation of policies to increase accessibility, affordability, sustainability; designs, implements, monitors and evaluates energy policies and regulations; and designs and oversee the development of regulatory framework activities to strengthen the institutional capacity of CESM.
Qualifications – Master’s Degree or PhD in law, public policies, engineering, finance, or other relevant discipline is required. 10 years of professional experience working on developing and improving legal and regulatory frameworks in the power sector and a demonstrated ability to achieve the objectives of the CESM program. Extensive experience working with power utilities, energy regulators, and the private sector to develop a common vision and catalyze investment in the power sector, including in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Resilience Lead – Assesses the current state of vulnerability and preparedness of the energy sector to extreme weather events in each of the participating countries. Identifies opportunities to collaborate with local and regional organizations in ongoing or planned efforts to increase the resilience of the energy sector in CESM countries. Provides thought leadership and advice related to climate science, impacts, and resilience to CESM staff, counterparts, and other relevant stakeholders. Helps build partnerships with financial institutions, donor organizations, government stakeholders, NGOs and civil society organizations to enhance the resilience of the energy sector to extreme weather events.
Qualifications – Master’s Degree or PhD in engineering, economics, energy planning and/or policy, international development, or other relevant discipline is required. 7 years of professional experience working on projects addressing vulnerability and enhancing resilience to extreme weather events, preferably with relevant expertise in the energy sector.
Abt Associates is a global leader in research, evaluation and program implementation; driving innovation and measurable impact for more than 50 years. What sets us apart is our evidence-based and multi-disciplinary approach to solving tough challenges in health, social and environmental policy and international development.
Specific areas we work in include:
Abt is a mission-driven company with a staff of 2,600. Our focus is on using evidence and cutting-edge methods to improve the lives and economic well-being of people worldwide.
