Project Lead

Company Description

Husk Power Systems (“Husk”) is an award-winning clean energy company serving rural India and Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2023, it was named “World’s Best Challenger Brand” in the energy industry and is a 3-time Global Cleantech 100 company. The company’s AI-powered rural energy platform provides 24/7 renewable power to rural households, commercial customers, institutions, and small factories. It also delivers a range of other products and services, including e-commerce and credit financing of branded appliances for home and commercial use, as well as community-based solutions for e-mobility and the agricultural value chain. Husk’s mission is to supercharge economic growth and social well-being in rural communities that are unserved and underserved.

Husk Values

Honesty and Integrity; Act with discipline and integral to your job; Respect each other; Respect Human rights within our responsibility and contractual obligations. Frugal Innovation, Quality and Reliability; Respect for environment, health, and safety. Excellence as an attitude; We shall align perception to a common understanding of performance rating and measures., We > I, Fail Fast and Learn Faster Continuous Learning.

Husk is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, or religion. Husk is committed to improving gender balance within its teams in Nigeria and globally. Female candidates are therefore highly encouraged to apply even if not all requirements are met.

Benefits

Husk offers flexible working conditions with employee benefits that are in line with global best practices. These include clear career growth planning, transparent annual review processes that are gender inclusive, maternity, and paternity leave, gender-inclusive workplace conditions, family health insurance, and frequent training to assist the employees to grow in and to the next roles. Husk does not believe in micromanagement and encourages its employees to have a healthy work-life balance hence giving them the freedom to manage their workload to be compatible with their life.

Job Description

JOB OPENING FOR CLUSTER LEAD

Position Name: Project Lead

Division / Function: Projects & Installation

Location of the Job: North East & North Central Nigeria

Reports to: Head of Projects

Role Summary

Husk is seeking a Cluster Lead, to join the growing team in Nigeria. As a Cluster Lead you will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the successful deployment of solar mini-grids within a designated cluster. This role requires leadership, hands-on project management, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure that the installation of the mini-grids are completed effectively and efficiently. The Cluster Lead will manage teams on-site, monitor project progress, troubleshoot issues, and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

General

• Play a key part as a member of the Installation Team in driving site installation targets.
• Develop and manage daily, weekly, and monthly work plans for site installation, ensuring efficient resource allocation and timely delivery of tasks.
• Act as a with the project manager to report progress, highlight any issues, and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Ensure that all safety measures are strictly followed on-site, maintaining a safe working environment for all personnel.

 Project Coordination & Management

• Oversee Multiple Installations: Manage the installation of solar mini grids across multiple sites within the cluster, ensuring all sites are built on time, within scope, and according to quality standards.
• Project Planning & Scheduling: Develop and manage detailed project plans for each site, aligning with company timelines, ensuring tasks are completed in sequence, and resources are available.
• Progress Monitoring: Regularly monitor and report on project progress, ensuring all milestones are met. This includes tracking delivery of materials, installation progress, testing, and commissioning.
• Problem-Solving: Address any installation issues or obstacles that arise on-site, working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to resolve them quickly.
• Stakeholder Communication: Act as the primary point of contact between the installation team, Project manager, and other internal stakeholders to ensure smooth project delivery.

Team Leadership & Performance

• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and supervise the site teams and local technicians across multiple sites in the cluster. Ensure that all team members are working efficiently and safely.
• Resource Allocation: Ensure that the right resources (human and material) are deployed to each site at the right time, managing logistics and materials flow.
• Training & Development: Organize on-the-job training, ensuring the installation team has the necessary technical skills, safety knowledge, and competence.
• Performance Evaluation: Assess and evaluate the performance of the installation teams, offering constructive feedback and driving continuous improvement.
• Motivation & Morale: Maintain a positive and productive working environment, motivating team members to meet objectives while adhering to safety and quality protocols.

Quality Control & Compliance

• Standards Compliance: Ensure all installations meet company and industry standards for safety, quality, and performance.
• Inspection & Quality Assurance: Conduct regular site inspections to ensure that work is being done according to plan and quality requirements. Verify the accuracy of installations before they are handed over for commissioning.
• Documentation: Ensure that all relevant documentation (installation records, safety checks, and commissioning reports) is properly maintained and uploaded to project systems.

Health & Safety Management

• Safety Oversight: Enforce strict adherence to health and safety guidelines on all sites within the cluster. Ensure that all team members are properly trained on safety procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Incident Reporting: Immediately report any safety incidents or accidents to management and ensure that corrective actions are taken.

Reporting & Documentation

• Daily/Weekly Reporting: Provide regular updates on project status, site progress, and resource utilization to the head of projects and other relevant stakeholders.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks to the project timeline or budget and proactively implement mitigation strategies.
• Site Documentation: Ensure that all site-related documentation (permits, inspections, etc.) is properly completed, stored, and accessible for audits or reporting purposes.

Budget and Cost Control

• Budget Monitoring: Monitor and control the budget for the assigned sites in the cluster, ensuring that installations are delivered within financial constraints.
• Cost Reporting: Regularly report on budget vs. actual costs for each project site, identifying any variances and addressing them with appropriate corrective actions.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Renewable Energy, Project Management, or a related field. Additional certifications in project management or solar energy systems are a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management or installation leadership in the renewable energy sector, specifically solar energy and mini grids.

• In-depth understanding of solar energy systems, mini-grid infrastructure, and installation techniques.
• Familiarity with electrical systems, grid connection processes, and solar power generation.
• Proven experience in leading and managing a team in a fast-paced, field-based environment.
• Strong project management skills, including scheduling, resource allocation, and risk management. Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Trello, or similar).
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve installation issues quickly and efficiently.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including local communities, contractors, and senior management.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, and environmental regulations, particularly in the context of construction and energy installations.
• Ability to travel frequently within the assigned cluster region, including remote areas.

Additional Information

Location and Travel

This role is based in North East and North Central Nigeria. Frequent travel to Husk Minigrid Sites.

Salary

Negotiable based on experience. 

Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This description indicates the general nature and level of the qualifications and duties required of employees in this job classification, as well as the essential functions a person must be able to perform to do this job. It is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Husk Power Energy Systems and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and make employment decisions on the basis of merit and business need. We hire without consideration of race, colour, religion, citizenship, political activity or affiliation, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex or gender, or any other basis protected by law.