Job Title: Renewable Energy Specialist

Supervisor: Project Manager Ngaruyinka

Type Of Contract: Contractual Position

Due Date: 31st October 2025

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to Rwanda's development. This is why the Government has prioritized the green economy and an economic transformation that is environmentally sustainable and climate change as cross-cutting issues, and the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy guided the Rwandan economy toward a climate resilient and low carbon development pathway. In 2020, Rwanda committed to an ambitious climate action plan, and Vison 2050 sets the goal for Rwanda to be carbon neutral by the middle of the century.

To finance the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy and Rwanda's green growth ambitions, the Rwanda Green Fund was established. The Fund is a ground-breaking environment and climate change investment fund that provides targeted financial and technical support to contribute to Rwanda's vision of becoming a carbon neutral and climate resilient economy.

The Fund has mobilized close to USD 250 million for 46 green investments in sustainable transport, renewable energy, green cities, and biodiversity conservation. As a result of these investments, 176,000 green jobs have been created, 88,000 households have been provided with access to off-grid clean energy, 126,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions have been avoided, and 120,000 people have been supported to cope with the effects of climate change.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Rwanda is highly vulnerable to climate change; facing increased incidences of droughts, floods, and landslides. Climate variability, especially heavy rainfall and temperature increases, has caused infrastructure damage, disrupted water management, and posed challenges to the growing urban population. The country is water-scarce, with a significant portion of the population lacking access to safe drinking water. Informal settlements, like those in Kigali, are particularly at risk due to poor infrastructure and high population density, exacerbating the challenges posed by climate change.

The Green City Kigali (GCK) project, located on Kinyinya Hill in Gasabo district, aims to address these issues by developing a sustainable urban community. The area, highly vulnerable to landslides, is set to become a model for affordable, climate-resilient housing and infrastructure development. The pilot phase includes upgrading the informal settlement at Ngaruyinka, a community with poor infrastructure and high climate vulnerability. The project's goal is to mitigate and adapt to climate change while creating a toolkit for future informal settlement upgrades across Rwanda.

The GCK project aligns with Rwanda's climate goals, supporting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy initiatives and resilient infrastructure. It focuses on technical assistance to scale green construction practices and enhance institutional capacity. Through solar energy, water management, waste reduction, and low-emission construction methods, the project aims to create a replicable model for green urban development.

The project also integrates gender equality, recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on women. By promoting inclusive, sustainable, and low-emission urban development, the GCK contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including climate action, clean energy, and reduced inequalities. Expected outcomes include a climate-resilient community, increased awareness of green practices, and a foundation for future low-carbon investments in urban areas.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Design & Standards

• Conduct energy demand assessments for households, schools/clinics, street lighting, public lighting and productive use.
• Prepare concept designs, detailed designs, single-line diagrams, bill of quantities (BoQs), specifications, and drawings.
• Ensure compliance with RURA/REG/EUCL codes, Rwanda Building Code, IEEE/IEC standards, electrical safety and lightning protection.

Clean Cooking & Thermal Energy

• Evaluate LPG/biogas/electric cooking/ICS options and develop transition pathways for households, including affordability mechanisms and behavior-change support.
• Lead feasibility for biogas from sanitation/organic waste, including gas safety.

Procurement & Contract Management

• Prepare Terms of reference for recruitment of consultants to undertake feasibility studies, design, supervision, etc.
• Prepare technical specifications, evaluation criteria, and vendor qualification requirements.
• Support bid evaluations, factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and warranties/O&M arrangements.
• Validate Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs).
• Manage defect liability closeout, handover documentation and all contracts pertaining to your position.

Construction Supervision & Quality Assurance

• Review, comment and recommend the approval of drawings and method statements produced by consultants and contractors.
• Review weekly, monthly and quarterly progress report produced by consultants and contractors.
• Review consultant & contractor's work plans.
• Supervise installation tests and commissioning.
• Ensure as-built documentation is provided and validated.
• Enforce Occupational Health and Safety and Environment and Social Safeguard requirements.
• Verify calibration/certifications.

Operations, O&M & Capacity Building

• Develop or review O&M manuals, spare parts lists, preventive maintenance plans, and Service Level Agreements.
• Train local technicians and end-users.
• Set up community energy committees and customer service protocols.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's in Renewable Energy, Electrical Engineering, or Energy Systems.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in renewable energy projects, with proven expertise in solar PV and off-grid/mini-grid solutions.
• Strong track record in project design, supervision, and community engagement.
• Registration with a professional body is an asset.

Application Procedure

To apply, please submit the relevant documents: your updated and signed Curriculum Vitae (CV), copies of academic certificates, proven working experience and one-page cover letter detailing why you are interested in the position you are applying for.

Please note that all applications must apply using our online application system via https://www.greenfund.rw/career/ The deadline for submission of application is the 31st October 2025 at 5PM.

In case of questions, please reach out to email: recruitment@greenfund.rw. For more information, kindly visit the Rwanda Green Fund website on https://greenfund.rw/.

Done at Kigali on 16th October 2025,