Field Electrical Engineer, South Africa

Israeli Website; Mpumalanga; On-site; ZAR 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A non-profit organization is seeking a Field Electrical Engineer to oversee solar electrification projects in South Africa. The role involves project management, community engagement, and technical implementation of solar systems. Ideal candidates should have a strong background in solar electrical engineering, with at least 5 years of relevant experience and excellent interpersonal skills. This position requires flexibility and frequent travel to various project sites.

Benefits

Opportunity for international collaboration

Impactful work in communities

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• 5+ years handling rural solar electrification projects.
• Experience in NGO community development projects.
• Driver’s license and flexibility in working hours.

Responsibilities

• Oversee field operations for solar and water projects.
• Work closely with in-house engineers.
• Manage on-site work during system installation.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Technical expertise in solar electrical engineering

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's Degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Field Electrical Engineer, South Africa

Mpumalanga,South Africa

Personal Evolution

Autonomy

Administrative Work

Technical Expertise

Background

Innovation: Africa (iA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose team of dedicated problem solvers work together to bring solar and water technologies to rural communities in Africa. We use solar energy to pump clean water for villages and provide schools, orphanages, and medical clinics with light and refrigeration to store vaccines and medicines. With more than 1500 completed water, solar electrification, and agriculture projects, iA has provided over 6 million people in Africa with access to light, clean water, food security, and proper medical care. Visit www.innoafrica.org to learn more about our work.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly trained and qualified individual to join our South African team as a Field Electrical Engineer. This position works under the supervision of the local Senior Engineer and Country Manager and is responsible for overseeing iA’s solar electrification projects predominantly at schools and health centers, the technical implementation of iA solar systems including the Energy Box, liaising with local contractors and in-house engineers, as well as providing technical support in all sites post completion. The Electrical Engineer will also be responsible for all iA field activities, including identifying and selecting the beneficiaries of our projects, actively engaging in community mobilization and sensitization, establishing and maintaining regular communication with the communities we serve, implementing project-related activities, providing regular reports and ongoing monitoring of the projects. Candidates should expect frequent travel to the field to identify new projects, oversee the construction and implementation of ongoing projects, and monitor completed projects.

Reports To

Senior Engineer & Country Manager

Responsibilities

• Oversee all field operations related to solar and water projects, including prospective project search, project construction/implementation, and monitoring and evaluation
• Work closely with our in-house engineers to plan and design all solar project systems in accordance to the facility’s specific needs
• Oversee technical implementation of all solar system implementation and serve as technical point person for all system designs
• Manage on-site work during all stages of the system installation
• Independently assess needs for maintenance work (post-installation) in projects where a malfunction exists
• Conduct community technical trainings and sensitization
• Track the progress of ongoing field installation and maintenance activities
• Maintain regular contact with Innovation: Africa’s engineers in Israel to successfully implement and monitor new solar technologies and remote monitoring systems
• Appropriately sensitize the communities we work with, including establishing project steering committees and small solar-related businesses to maintain the project
• Support the Senior Engineer to manage relationships with municipal officers, local leaders, and international stakeholders
• Send daily updates and regular progress reports to the global management team regarding prospective projects, construction and implementation of current projects, and monitor existing projects

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a dedicated team-player with strong interpersonal skills who has a background in solar electrical engineering, community development and mobilization, and working with international stakeholders. The candidate must demonstrate a proven passion for working with the community and possess detail orientation and problem-solving skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or professional diploma in Electrical Engineering or closely related field with an emphasis on solar, rural electrification projects, Master’s Degree preferred
• At least 5 years of proven experience working and overseeing rural solar electrification projects
• Experience supervising rural electrification works in NGO community development projects
• Technologically oriented with excellent computer skills, including proficiency in email and Microsoft Office software
• Driver’s license
• Ability to commit to flexible working hours
• High proficiency in English; both writing and speaking

As an international organization that works across three continents, our teams are required to maintain daily communication, at flexible hours, with one another using technology solutions, including WhatsApp, Slack, and Zoom.

Our ideal candidate thrives in this type of fast-paced environment and is comfortable working with a diverse international team located in various time zones.

Application Instructions

• Please send your cover letter and CV as a single PDF attachment [e-mail].
• The file name should be saved as your full name.
• Please include the position and country for which you are applying to work in the subject line of the email.