Technical Project Lead: Solar PV

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:

1. Define and lead the technical aspects of projects in Pre-Development (Feasibility), Development (Bid/Tender), and Final Development Stage (Financial Close), including interfacing with internal stakeholders, engineering consultants, technology providers, suppliers, and contractors with the aim of:
   1. maturing technical solutions through each phase
   2. improving bid competitiveness
   3. ensuring technical governance and sustainability criteria are respected (quality, health & safety, efficiency, environmental compliance) for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the asset.
2. Be responsible for the choice of technologies, technical configuration, and for setting relevant performance, statutory, safety, and quality requirements.
3. Be responsible for the prescription, procurement specification, adjudication, and management of technical services and products.
4. Be responsible for drafting and negotiating owner techno-commercial specifications, including the incorporation of the latest group experience and technical guidelines.
5. 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.).
6. Define procurement strategies and construction strategies in collaboration with the Business Development Department, Procurement Department, and Construction Department.
7. Prepare Capex and Opex costs including market consultation and integrating feedback from Group assets and Group specialists.
8. Prepare the Operations phase philosophy and technical related documents (OM organization chart, O&M references, O&M Philosophy, etc.).
9. Assess and evaluate technical risks and advise and/or draft professional reports during the various stages of the project approval process.
10. Perform technology watch and share knowledge within the Engineering team.
11. 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.

ENGIE Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd is committed to equality, employment equity, and diversity. In accordance with the employment equity plan of ENGIE Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited, to candidates from under-represented designated groups. ENGIE Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd reserves the right not to make an appointment to the posts as advertised. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply for positions.