RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AGENCY JOBS DEC 2012

Background

The Government of Uganda established the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) as the Secretariat of the Rural Electrification Board which manages the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).

The REF was established by Statutory Instrument No. 75 of 2001 as provided for under the Electricity Act 1999.

This Fund has been used to finance the Rural Electrification Programme which covers all the regions of the country.

The projects supported by the Fund cover grid extensions, off-grids and renewable energy generation projects. REA now wishes to fill the following full time positions on renewable 4-year contracts;

1. LEGAL OFFICER (ONE POSITION)

Job Purpose

To support the Manager, Legal and Board Services in provision of legal advice and interpretation of documents and updating REA on any legislation and courts decisions that affect the Agency. 

Key Responsibilities

• • To identify, define and update legal policies in line with the Agency’s objectives and taking into account the Electricity Act and Government regulations.

• • To draw legal instruments and/ legal documents on behalf of the Agency

• • To provide legal services in the Law of Contract in relation to the Agency’s day to day operations.

• • To provide guidance in the exercise of the Agency’s statutory power.

• • To provide other legal services like liaising with the Solicitor General’s Office in the resolution of issues which may arise in the day to day operations of the Agency.

• • Keeping the Agency updated on any legislation and court decisions affecting the Agency.

• • Interpreting legal documents

• • Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Specifications of the Person

The desired person should have the following essential requirements:

• • A good degree in Law from a recognised University

• • A post-graduate diploma in Legal Practice

• • Should have enrolled as an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda.

• • Experience of not less than 5 years

• • Must be computer literate

• • The person should be mature in approach, firm, principled, responsible, dynamic, innovative, result oriented, self-motivated and a team player.

• • Familiarity with the electricity sector would be an added advantage

• • Must not be more than 32 years old.

Grade

REA 6

2. PV PROJECT OFFICER (ONE POSITION)

Job Purpose:

To work closely with other stakeholders in the Solar PV Industry including counterparts at BUDS-ERT (PSFU), and other relevant government players, including but not limited to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and Private solar companies.

Key Responsibilities:

• • Provide technical support including installation code, system configuration and sizing of PV systems to be installed under PVTMA.

• • In collaboration with UNBS, coordinate approval of new products and disseminate a list of all approved solar PV products to all stakeholders.

• • Coordinate support to UNBS to develop solar PV standards and establish a PV testing centre.

• • In collaboration with the MFI Coordinator, provide technical capacity building to designated financial intermediaries, promotion agents and PV vendors

• • Receive and coordinate the evaluation of applications from solar PV companies and other designated entities for supplying solar PV systems to target markets to benefit from subsidies

• • Selection of target markets and packaging them for REA’s bidding to the private sector;

• • Carry out market surveys in specified areas, to promote them to the private sector for initiating proposals to supply them;

• • Carry out spot checks for installed and audited systems to ensure quality assurance and compliance to standards by the audit team.

• • Monitor and evaluate, on an on-going basis, the progress in the performance of the PVTMA and its impact within the beneficiary communities.

• • Perform any other duties as may be assigned or approved by the MERT

Specifications of the Person:

The desired candidate should have the following:

• • A good BSc (Electrical Engineering or Physics) from a recognized University.

• • Demonstrate good working knowledge in GIS

• • Excellent computer skills.

• • Experience of not less than 5 years either in the private sector or public sector including demonstrated knowledge of technical and marketing aspects of solar PV. 

Grade

REA 6

3. OBA OFFICER (ONE POSITION)

Job Purpose:

To implement activities leading to the improvement of the affordability of connections to the electricity grids for low-income Ugandan households in rural, peri-urban and urban areas.

Key responsibilities:

• • Support coordination and implementation of OBA project activities

• • In liaison with the MERT as necessary represent REA in all aspects of the OBA project implementation.

• • Receive and review quarterly reports from the Licensed Distribution Companies (LDCs), Consumer Awareness Consultant (CAC) and Independent Verifi cation Agent (IVA) with a view of ensuring completeness and compliance with agreed reporting arrangements.

• • Support MERT to convene quarterly review meetings and act as a secretary to the meetings with the licensed distribution companies, CAC and IVA.

• • Prepare consolidated OBA Project quarterly and annual reports as well as other special reports for the MERT.

• • Regularly interact with implementing licensed distribution companies, CAC and IVA to ensure up-to-date knowledge on project activities, schedules, and issues related to the project.

• • Explicitly ensure that licensed distribution companies, CAC and IVA are in compliance with relevant OBA Project safeguard, fi duciary and other project requirements.

• • Generate, compile and provide feedback to the MERT, licensed distribution companies, CAC and IVA information on progress and achievements.

This information will be in a form that will enable all the participants to see the overall implementation of OBA Project

• • Identify implementation issues and bottlenecks and, in consultation with the MERT, and other stakeholders actively and creatively seek solutions.

• • Provide monitoring and support supervision of OBA Project activities.

• • Coordinate the activities of the licensed distribution companies and IVA for the mid-term and full-term reviews of OBA Project.

• • Lead and/or participate in public information activities to assist CAC in communicating OBA approach, objectives and activities.

• • Carry out such other activities as are necessary for the good of the OBA project as assigned or approved by MERT.

Specifications of the Person

• • An honors degree from a recognized University in any of the following disciplines: Economics, Commerce, Business Administration and Finance. In addition, the candidate must possess excellent computer skills.

• • Possession of a post graduate qualification in project planning and management or business administration will be an added advantage.

• • 5 years hands-on working experience in:

i) coordination and reporting for donor funded projects with multiple stakeholders

ii) rural outreach and field operations

iii) energy sector 

Grade

REA 6

4. ASSISTANT INTERNAL AUDITOR (ONE POSITION)

Job Purpose:

Under the supervision of the Internal Auditor the incumbent will conduct various types of audits and reviews in accordance with accepted professional standards to determine the adequacy of internal controls, efficiency of the Agency’s policies and procedures and to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations.

This position is to be filled by a Ugandan university graduate with at least three (3) years professional work experience in the areas of auditing, accounting or risk management.

Key Result Areas:

(a) Survey the assigned audit subject to obtain a working knowledge of the nature of the subject. Identify key risk areas, flow chart the business process and solicit input from auditees as needed.

(b) Develop the assigned audit plan including scope and objectives of the audit, and audit procedures. Obtain the Internal Auditor’s approval.

(c) Carry out tests, evaluate the results and draw conclusions, discuss with the auditees and present the findings for Internal Auditor’s input and approval.

(d) Draft audit recommendations and write audit memos, solicit input from auditees and forward for the Internal Auditor’s input and approval.

(e) Draft the audit report and obtain feedback from auditees and forward the report to Internal Auditor for quality review and dispatch.

(f) Follow up on implementation of corrective actions and issue draft reports for review.

(g) Conduct special assignments as may be assigned by the Internal Auditor.

(h) Provide assistance to regulators and external auditors as required.

(i) Ensure compliance to firm’s risk management policies.

(j) Perform any other duties as required by the Internal Auditor.

Skills

Knowledge and Skills:

1. English language, written and spoken.

2. Ability to demonstrate good judgment and a strong learning curve to understand the Agency’s business processes.

3. Knowledge of Windows and MS Office applications: – Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Project. 

Education & Experience:

1. University degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration.

2. At least three (3) years of professional auditing, accounting or related experience, preferably in energy sector or World Bank funded projects.

Grade

REA 6

5. ASSISTANT PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (ONE POSITION)

Job Purpose

To handle community related issues that require communication intervention at REA and will reportto and regularly consult with the Public Relation Officer and other members of staff.

Key Responsibilities:

The person selected for this position will be responsible for the following duties;

• • Liaising with internal and external audiences on issues of electrifying rural Uganda

• • Networking with other departments in REA to ensure that all community scheme applicants are mobilized and get sensitized on procedures of getting electricity

• • Sensitize communities on productive use of energy, health and safety and readiness to consume power

• • Liaising with the planning unit to ensure all responses for community schemes are addressed

• • Updating the unit stakeholder database

• • Increasing community awareness on other REA initiatives including; Community schemes, electricity cooperatives, the PVTMA project and solar loan scheme, Ready Boards, the REA Gender Component and other REA initiatives

Person Specifications:

• • A good Degree in relevant field including; Communications, Public Relations, or any other related field in the Social sciences

• • At least 3 years working experience in public relations and community mobilization

• • Working knowledge of the media in Uganda

• • Knowledge of gender issues

• • Report writing

• • Analytical thinking

• • Team working skills

• • Conflict management and good negotiation skills

• • Computer skills in Microsoft packages, Publisher and presentation packages

• • Basic knowledge in environment issues including way leaves and compensation management will be an added advantage

• • Excellent command of written and spoken English

• • Ability to plan, budget and account for activities undertaken.

Grade

REA 8

TERMS OF SERVICE

The persons appointed to these posts will be stationed in Kampala and they will follow the Agency’s rules and regulations as stipulated in the REA Human Resource Manual. They will serve on four-year contracts, renewable on satisfactory performance. Remuneration is attractive and market based.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

If you are interested in any of the above positions please submit your applications which should include cover letter, CV, names and addresses of 3 reputable referees and copies of relevant academic certificates and testimonials by close of business

Friday 21st December, 2012 to:

The Executive Director

Rural Electrification Agency

2nd Floor House of Hope

10 Windsor Loop, Kololo

P.O. Box 7317 Kampala