Regional Energy and Market Advisor – Kampala, Uganda

Ayuda en Acción

Job description

Ayuda en Acción is an organization with an international presence that, from a global commitment, has been fighting against poverty, inequality, and exclusion since its birth in 1981. Our scope of action is developed in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Spain, in those territories and populations with greater vulnerability and less access to opportunities to exercise their rights with equality and equity. With a deep-rooted commitment to eradicating poverty and promoting inclusive, sustainable development, Ayuda en Acción collaborates with government bodies, development actors, communities, and civil society organizations to foster resilience and improve livelihoods in underserved areas.

As part of our strategic expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa, Ayuda en Acción is implementing innovative, market-driven approaches that empower vulnerable populations through inclusive energy access, sustainable livelihoods, and strengthened local economies. Our regional programming reflects a strong focus on Market Systems Development (MSD) and renewable energy solutions tailored to the diverse socio-economic and environmental contexts of Uganda, Mozambique, Niger, Mali, and Ethiopia.

This position will play a pivotal role in supporting the design, coordination, and scaling of MSD and energy access initiatives across the five countries, ensuring that commercial and social innovations reach the most vulnerable households particularly smallholder farmers, women, and youth while fostering private sector engagement and systemic change in rural markets.

Brief Context of the Project in Uganda

In Uganda, Ayuda en Acción (AeAU) is registered as a foreign charity organization and operates as a leading actor in promoting inclusive development. The Uganda country program is currently implementing an internally funded, integrated project in partnership with private sector actors, with a particular emphasis on Market Systems Development (MSD), off-grid renewable energy, and inclusive economic empowerment.

The project is implemented in the West-Nile and Acholi Sub-region, focusing on facilitating private sector-driven solutions to food insecurity and unemployment through sustainable energy access and inclusive market development. It is synergized with AeAU’s long-term territorial development programs in sectors such as climate-smart agriculture (cassava and tomato value chains), youth employment, and women’s empowerment.

As part of the regional portfolio, lessons learned and innovations from the Uganda experience will inform similar programming and contextual adaptation in Mozambique, Niger, Mali, and Ethiopia where challenges in energy access, agricultural productivity, and market linkages similarly affect vulnerable rural populations including Refugees and host community and internally displaced people. The Regional Energy and Market Advisor will provide strategic technical guidance, coordination, and support to ensure effective cross-country learning, innovation dissemination, and harmonized implementation of AeA’s regional energy and market systems agenda.

Position Overview

The Regional Energy and Market Advisor will serve as a strategic and technical leader for renewable energy and market systems development across five countries serving Uganda with 50% of the time and the remaining 50% to Mozambique, Niger, Mali, and Ethiopia. The role is central to driving sustainable, market-based energy access initiatives, supporting inclusive growth and livelihood improvements, and fostering cross-country knowledge exchange and learning. The advisor will ensure effective project implementation, alignment with AeA’s programmatic strategy, and delivery of impactful results in diverse, complex, and underserved environments.

Key Responsibilities :

• Lead coordination of multi-country project activities in partnership with local project partners, ensuring coherent delivery of technical and financial components aligned with AeA systems and donor expectations.
• Strengthen regional synergies between programs, fostering knowledge exchange and innovation across the five countries.
• Provide strategic leadership and facilitate inclusive, gender-responsive market and energy interventions by guiding country teams, promoting participation of marginalized groups, and aligning project efforts with national and regional development priorities through effective partner and government engagement
• Manage project resources (human, financial, material) in collaboration with AeA’s senior management and technical experts, ensuring efficiency and alignment with regional strategies.
• Support capacity building of national project teams, partners, private sector entities, and government stakeholders on MSD, energy access, and climate-resilient solutions.
• Represent regional energy and market systems efforts in sectoral dialogues and provide technical assistance during cross-country learning events, innovation exchanges, and regional working groups under the coordination of AeA’s sectoral unit.
• Oversee planning, implementation, M&E, documentation, and reporting across all five countries, ensuring harmonized processes and adaptation to country contexts.
• Coordinate the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, success stories, and project innovations, while ensuring regular reporting, visibility, and the preparation of comprehensive regional work plans and evidence-based progress reports in collaboration with MEAL teams and HQ.
• Maintain ongoing communication with the sectoral expert in HQ, updating on project status, risks, opportunities (e.g., new partnerships, innovation pipelines), and proposing timely corrective measures as needed.
• Represent AeA’s regional portfolio on energy access and market systems at national, regional, and international forums, enhancing institutional visibility and credibility.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with public institutions, private sector actors, international development agencies, academic institutions, and regional platforms.
• Identify emerging trends, innovative financing mechanisms, and partnership opportunities to scale and sustain project interventions.
• Ensure compliance with AeA policies, procedures, and security protocols across regional operations.
• Support local offices in Uganda and other countries in managing administrative, logistical, and security-related matters.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience :

Required :

• A bachelor’s degree in development studies, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Renewable Energy, Project Management, or a related field is required; a Master’s degree is desirable.
• At least 5 years of experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, including 3 years in managerial roles within donor-funded or private sector projects.
• Proven expertise in implementing off-grid energy solutions, market systems development, and private sector engagement.
• Strong background in resource mobilization, partnership development, M&E, and strategic planning across multiple country contexts.
• Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder platforms and linking smallholders to value chains and private sector partners.

Desirable :

• Experience in cross-country program coordination and regional development programming.
• Familiarity with regional energy sector actors, policy landscapes, and economic development strategies.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills; fluency in English required; French or Spanish desirable not mandatory.
• Proficiency in documentation, digital tools for project management, and remote team coordination.

Other Requirements :

• Willingness and ability to travel to remote project areas and internationally.
• Demonstrated professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and ethical conduct aligned with AeA’s values and mission.

Reporting Structure :

This regional position reports dually to the Uganda Country Director (for institutional and administrative matters), the Sectoral department, and the regional director based in Madrid, Spain (for technical and programmatic oversight). The advisor will also maintain functional relationships with the AeA Country Directors, the Head of Programs, project partners, and other local, national, and regional stakeholders (private sector, academia, NGOs, government agencies, and international institutions).

Offer Conditions :

• Incorporation : 1st July 2025
• Duration of contract : 1 year, renewable
• Workday : Full Time
• Work Centre : Based in Kampala (Uganda) with frequent travel to project areas in Uganda (West-Nile and Acholi Sub-region) and international travel across Mozambique, Niger, Mali, and Ethiopia.
• Deadline for receiving Applications : 25th May 2025
• Remuneration / Salary in accordance with Ayuda en Acción's remuneration policy.

Mandatory requirements to be able to participate in the selection process

will be requested in case of reaching the finalist stage) :

• Negative certificate of criminal record updated and or Certificate of good conduct from Interpol / its equivalent.
• Contacts of the last 3 positions, to request references on the position developed.
• Negative certificate from the central registry of sex offenders and human trafficking, updated (in case the position has contact with minors), and or Certificate of good conduct from Interpol / its equivalent.