Technical Project Lead: Solar PV

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The development of utility-scale energy projects and subsequent participation in government and corporate tenders in Engie Southern Africa is led by a Business Development Department and supported by the Engineering Department. The general role of a Technical Project Lead (TPL) is to:

• Define and Lead the technical aspects of projects in Pre-Development (Feasibility), Development (Bid/Tender) and Final Development Stage (Financial Close) stage, including interfacing with internal stakeholders, engineering consultants, technology providers, suppliers and contractors with the aim of:
  • maturing technical solutions through each phase
  • improving bid competitiveness
  • and ensuring technical governance and sustainability criteria are respected (quality, health & safety, efficiency, environmental compliance) for the construction, operation and maintenance of the asset. 
• Be responsible for choice of technologies, technical configuration and for setting relevant performance, statutory, safety and quality requirements.
• Be responsible for the prescription, procurement specification, adjudication and management of technical services and products.
• Be responsible for drafting and negotiating owner techno-commercial specifications, including the incorporation of the latest group experience and technical guidelines.
• Be in charge of all technical-related agreements during the development phase, including documentation drafting and contractual negotiation (e.g. EPC, PPA, OMA, LTSA, OE, LTA, IE etc).
• Define procurement strategies and construction strategies in collaboration with the Business Development Department, Procurement Department and Construction Department.
• Prepare Capex and Opex costs including market consultation and integrating feedback from Group assets and Group specialists.
• Prepare the Operations phase philosophy and technical related documents (OM organization chart, O&M references, O&M Philosophy, etc.).
• Assess and evaluate technical risks and advise and/or draft professional reports during the various stages of the project approval process.
• Perform technology watch and share knowledge within the Engineering team.
• Hand-over technical aspects and documents to the Project and Operations companies, and Provide ad-hoc support and advisory to operational assets and construction projects.

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

• Engineering Team
• Acquisitions, Investments and Financial Advisory Team
• Business Development Team
• Legal & Ethics Team
• Procurement Team
• Support Teams (HR, IT, HSE, Finance)
• Project Companies, Operating Companies & Subsidiaries
• Engie HQ, AMEA HQ and GBUs

External

• Clients
• Equipment & Technology Providers & EPC Contractors
• Competitors
• Off-takers and Grid Operators
• Consultants & Engineering Firms
• Project Stakeholders (sponsors, lenders, owners, environmental)

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Education

• Engineering Qualification: BSc, BEng or BTech
• Additional relevant qualifications would be advantageous
• Professional registration would be advantageous  

Language

• Fluent in English (verbal and written skills)

Core Experience & Skills

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in the power generation sector, specifically able to demonstrate experience and engineering expertise in Solar PV technology, including :
  • Ability to scope conceptual layouts/configurations, and conduct preliminary solar resource and yield assessments on PVsyst software
  • Ability to specify and review designs and applicable standards
  • Ability to specify equipment and plant performance requirements including modules, inverters, SCADA, mounting structures.
• A good understanding of the techno-economic life cycle and risk profile of a power project and knowledge in financial indicators for project follow-up
• A reasonable understanding of power plant development, the IPP model and the associated Project Finance technical requirements and interfaces.
• Experience in scoping the technical works, reviewing & evaluating technical proposals, setting & assessing the performance of the works, and providing lifecycle advisory, guidance and recommendations.
• Experience in leading and project/contract managing technical workstreams and internal/external stakeholders to drive the overall project objectives. 
• Experience in translating technical requirements into commercial & contractual concepts in collaboration with the BD, Legal and Finance teams.

Advantageous Experience & Skills

• Experience across multiple power generation technologies
• Experience across multiple project phases (development, construction, commissioning, operations. decommissioning)
• Experience with various project types and structures (greenfield, brownfield, acquisitions, divestments, project finance, equity finance, government and corporate PPAs).
• Knowledge of energy market players (Suppliers, Contractors, Consultants, Competitors) and industry practice would be advantageous

Behavioural Competencies

• Ability to travel within South Africa and to ENGIE offices and assets globally as needed.
• Ability to work autonomously and multi-task in times of complexity, uncertainty, variability and project cycles
• Ability to work within a team of members from varying cultural backgrounds and functional backgrounds
• Ability to communicate and share knowledge between remote teams
• Ability to take ownership and responsibility, keep commitments and manage expectations
• Ability to maintain high standards in terms of work quality and attention to detail
• Ability to think conceptually, strategically and analytically
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and maintain self-control
• Ability to adapt to new and diverse environments and changing contexts
• Maintains high ethical standards and confidentiality where required

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adheres to the Company Policies and Procedures;
• Behaves in a responsible way;
• Lives the values of the Company.