Team Leader at Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

The Program / Department / Team

Energy 4 Impact is Mercy Corps’ platform for shaping market systems in clean energy access. We work at the intersection of policy and institutions, enterprise growth and finance, ecosystem coordination, and evidence and market intelligence. Our comparative advantage lies in blending the advisory capabilities of a specialist firm with the geographic presence and community reach of an NGO. We translate programme investment into strategic, market-credible solutions: building the conditions under which private investment flows into previously high-risk energy access markets.

The Position Overview

Energy 4 Impact is seeking an internationally experienced Team Leader to support the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP III) in the development of off‑grid renewable energy projects.

The Team Leader will provide overall strategic and leadership to a pool of technical and transactional advisory experts. This senior expert will guide a multidisciplinary team, ensure high‑quality delivery of advisory services, and work closely with public and private sector partners to strengthen enabling environments for renewable energy deployment. The role requires deep sector expertise, proven leadership in complex donor‑funded programs, and extensive international experience.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Coordination

• Provide overall responsibility and direction for all advisory packages delivered under the assignment.

• Ensure coherence, complementarity, and alignment of contractor services with other project activities at both national and local levels.

• Support GIZ in refining and adapting project strategies, contributing to evaluations, and preparing for potential follow‑on phases.

Team Management & Quality Assurance

• Provide managerial leadership to a multidisciplinary team of experts, including identifying needs for short‑term assignments, planning and managing inputs, and supporting technical delivery.

• Oversee quality assurance for all outputs, ensuring timely, high‑quality deliverables that meet client standards.

• Ensure coordinated, efficient, and results‑oriented implementation.

Capacity Development & Technical Oversight

• Lead the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of capacity development measures for government institutions, utilities, regulators, and other local partners.

• Integrate cross‑cutting themes—such as gender equality, inclusion, and climate resilience—into all advisory and capacity‑building activities.

• Ensure that monitoring procedures are systematically applied and that results inform adaptive management.

Financial & Administrative Oversight

• Oversee financial planning and ensure appropriate use of funds in close consultation with the client.

• Ensure compliance with contractual, administrative, and reporting requirements, including regular progress reporting in line with agreed deadlines.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.

• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.

• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Master’s degree (or equivalent, e.g., German Diploma) in engineering relevant to energy, renewable energy, power systems, or energy economics/markets.

Languages

• Excellent command of English (C1 level, CEFR).

Professional Experience

• General: Minimum 12 years of professional experience in the power sector, working with both public and private entities. At least 3 of these years must have been acquired within the last 5 years.

• Specific: At least 10 years of experience in renewable energy project development, 5 of which in rural electrification projects.

• Leadership & management: Minimum 10 years of management experience leading teams of three or more people in projects, companies, or organizations. 5 of which involved managing teams within donor-funded projects.

• International and regional experience. At least 5 years of professional experience in two countries outside the West Arica region, with at least one year spent in each country

• Regional experience: Minimum 8 years of professional experience in West Africa, 4 of which in Nigeria

• At least 8 years of experience working on development cooperation projects.