SELF Project Manager

Job Description

The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) will hire a full-time employee to assist with the implementation of various solar-electrification projects in developing countries. The person hired will work in both the U.S. assisting the SELF Project Director in a variety of capacities and in developing countries, leading the assessment and installation phases of projects. The amount of time spent working in the U.S. versus overseas will vary greatly depending on project load and project scheduling. In most years, the Project Manager is unlikely to spend more than 3-4 months overseas. The time spent overseas at any one time may range from 2 weeks to 6 weeks.

Specific Duties

  1. Assisting the Project Director ( U.S.- based work)

    The Project Director (PD) is in charge of implementing all SELF projects. The Project Manager will report to the PD and will assist in various aspects of project design and preparation which may include but are not limited to the following tasks:

    • Project design (including research on applications for PV generation, new methods and equipment, etc.)
    • PV System design
    • PV system specification
    • PV system costing (writing and issuing RFQs and international tenders)
    • Quotation evaluation and ordering
    • The specification, costing and purchasing of other installation materials such as wire, hardware and tools.
    • Assisting with other SELF activities such as writing reports, articles and proposals.

  2. Project Management (Work performed in developing countries)
    • Project assessment (Visiting sites and potential partners prior to finalizing projects. May include both technical and socio-economic assessments)
    • Project Management Managing all aspects of on-site implementation including:
        1. Procuring local materials
        2. Assembling installation crews
        3. Training of installation crews and system users
        4. Arranging for crew food and lodging, transportation and other logistics
        5. Clearing project materials through customs
        6. Supervising project installations
        7. Managing relations with local partners and sometimes governments
        8. Project accounting
        9. Project report writing

Working Conditions

While working in developing countries, the project manager will live and work in a variety of conditions depending upon the location and local situation. Living conditions may range from western-style hotels to modest but clean and comfortable local lodging to rudimentary shelter with no electricity or plumbing to staying in tents on project sites. Food also, may vary from plentiful and nutritious to very basic with poor nutrition. Climate at SELF project sites has ranged from cold (Himalayas) to extremely hot and humid as in some parts of Africa. (Most current SELF projects are in Africa and the climate varies according to season and location). Project sites vary from being urban to being very remote with no electricity, health-care or modern communications. For very remote sites with no modern communications, SELF provides satellite communications to project managers.

SELF only works in countries that are politically stable and that have reasonable prospects for safety in the context of developing countries. However, we note that when compared to most areas of North America or Europe, working in developing countries can be inherently more risky in the areas of crime, transportation safety and health concerns. On the other hand, conditions in some areas SELF has worked in have been safer than in many large American cities.

Requirements for successful candidates

 The following are minimum requirements for the Project Manager position:

    • Extensive experience in the design and installation of off-grid PV systems with both DC and AC loads. (Must have personally designed and installed 15 systems or more).
    • Proven ability and experience working in developing countries - in any capacity, although PV, electrification or construction experience is a plus. Peace Corps or other volunteer service qualifies for this experience.
    • Proven ability and experience working in project management (in any field although experience in development or on projects similar to those SELF implements will be given extra weight)
    • The ability and willingness to work in developing countries for up to 6 weeks per trip and for several trips per year.
    • Excellent speaking and writing ability in English.
    • Competency in Word, Excel, and in email and web usage.
    • Training as an electrician, electrical engineer or certified solar installer.
    • Experience as a trainer in PV (or other vocational or technical disciplines)

     

    The following are beyond the minimum requirements but are highly desired in the successful candidate:

    • Verbal fluency in French, Swahili or Kinyarwanda
    • Experience in managing PV electrification projects in developing countries.

     

    The following are desired personal attributes that we are looking for in the successful candidate:

    • Flexibility, patience and humor in the face of difficult conditions and different ways of doing things.
    • A pronounced openness towards and tolerance of other cultures.
    • An attitude of humility and an openness to learn from people of other cultures.
    • Absolute integrity and honesty in dealing with others.
    • A spirit of adventure and a gut-level enthusiasm for SELF’s mission.
    • The ability to operate independently with little support or encouragement while working in remote locations.

     

Compensation:

Compensation will be by annual salary paid bi-weekly. The salary amount will be influenced by the successful candidates experience and qualifications.

In addition to a salary, the Project Manager will receive health insurance benefits paid for by SELF as well as paid vacation. Travel health and evacuation insurance are provided while working overseas. All expenses will be covered by SELF when the Project Manager works in other countries.

Work Location:

The Project Manager will have the option of living anywhere in the U.S. or Canada and “telecommuting” to work each day when not on overseas assignments. (SELF’s main office is in Washington DC and the PD currently “telecommutes” out of Hawaii). The project manager will occasionally be required to travel within the U.S. for meetings or conferences. Any willingness to relocate to either Hawaii or Washington DC will be considered positively.

Application Instructions:

    Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

    1. A cover letter stating interest and motivation for the position as well as any special focus on qualifications, including the desired personal attributes.
    2. Resume or CV that highlights qualifications that speak to the minimum qualifications for the position as well as the highly desired qualifications. We advise that any PV experience be well-documented (number and types of systems, type of equipment, etc.) even if it requires extra pages included as an amendment or attachment to the resume or CV.
    3. A list of at least 3 references that not only address qualifications but also the personal attributes that SELF is looking for in a Project Manager. (Note, references may be sent as emails if full reference contact information is included).

     

Please submit application materials by email to:

Jeff Lahl, Project Director

Email: jefflahl@yahoo.com

Subject: Project Manager

Please limit initial contact to email only - no phone calls

Deadline:

There is no set deadline for applying for this position, although we would like to hire someone by the end of April, 2009 if not sooner.

Additional Information:

For more information on SELF and its mission, go to www.self.org

 

1612 K Street, NW, Suite 402 Washington, DC 20006 l ph: 202-234-7265