Xylo Group (Xylo) and Bio2Watt Energy Holdings (BEH) (together, the Employer) are seeking to develop a biomass-fueled 10MWth/2MWe combined heat and power (CHP) plant for a brewery in Jinja, Uganda (the Project). The steam produced from the CHP plant will provide heat to processes within the brewery, and the electricity will contribute to meeting the brewery’s power demand (the Project).
The Employer is entering into agreements with forestry companies near to the Project to provide residual-waste woody biomass as feedstock for the CHP plant. Various other development activities are in process to achieve financial close, and construction is currently scheduled to start in Q3 2023.
The Project will be majority-funded by the Climate Investor One and Climate Investor Two funds, represented by Climate Fund Managers (CFM).
Job Description
A Project Manager (PM) is being sought to coordinate and direct the development activities of the Project, including remaining technical studies, government and off-taker liaison, commercial workstreams, construction and operations contracting, and environmental and social (E&S) studies.
Ideally to be based in Kampala (part-time or full-time, subject to discussion) and be supported by staff in the local Xylo offices in Kampala, and by financial, technical, and E&S staff in the BEH and CFM offices in South Africa.
The PM will safeguard the interests of the Project Special Purpose Vehicle (Project SPV) and promote the achievement of financial close and the start of construction. During development, the PM will report to the BEH Programme Manager. In consultation with the Programme Manager, the Project Manager will also provide updates to the Project Management Committee, which will consist of BEH, CFM, and Xylo representatives.
Technical, Commercial, and ESG (E&S and Governance) working groups will be established to support the PM and wider team in the timely completion of development activities.
The PM will be employed / contracted by the Project SPV. The assignment is expected to last until financial close, however, could be extended through the construction period pending agreement between the PM and the Employer
Responsibilities:
- Develop, track and report the Project program, timetable, milestones, and budget, and assist the Management Committee in obtaining the most current assessment of required KPIs.
- Coordinate the interface with the Technical, E&S, and other advisers.
- Participate and coordinate the negotiations of all project documents, including biomass supply agreements, energy supply agreement with the offtaker, construction and operations contracts, owner’s engineer contracts, and relevant government or financing agreements.
- Coordinate with the technical, commercial, and ESG working groups for regular sessions and meeting materials.
- Assist in the drafting and provision of ToRs or SoWs for service providers.
- Assist with the evaluation and assessment of proposals from project service provider consultants, advisors, vendors, etc.
- Assist with local supervision and monitoring of any works on the site pre-financial close (e.g. LNTP or Early Works).
- Advise, review, and monitor the execution of any FEED works, the ESIA, required approvals, and project-relevant advisor workstreams.
- Liaise with technical consultants on engineering and design issues.
- Pay special attention to HSSE regulations and technical design of HSSE control measures for implementation during construction and eventually operations.
- Elevate HSSE to a number one priority and ensure policies, regulations, compliance and HSSE control measures are adhered to and applied across the project.
- Review the technical and E&S reports / aspects of the project, review contracts, pricing, and all other project components. Highlight weaknesses, flaws, or deficiencies in order to recommend improvements or mitigation to the MC and/or the project team.
- Support land lease agreement negotiations to finalisation.
- Liaise with the E&S team to ensure compliance with all environmental and other permit requirements.
- Attend and provide input, insights, assistance, guidance, and advice as the case may be, in meetings, calls and discussions with relevant stakeholders (Ministries, Shareholder Meetings, etc).
- Review and provide inputs and assumptions to the financial advisors for the bankable financial model.
- Support with queries from the project insurance adviser.
- Ensure that all technical aspects of the Project meet with typical investor compliance standards.
- Prepare regular reports, updates and risk matrixes concerning project development progress for the Management Committee.
- Ensure that all documentation on the Project is carefully and correctly maintained and store documentation as per the data storage protocol.
- Any other tasks not aforementioned and approved by the Management Committee, that assist in bringing the Project to Financial Close.
Direct Reports
- Report to the Programme Manager, as well as frequent engagement with the Management Committee.
- Will have/develop various subordinates (part- and full-time) throughout the project related to construction, operations, finance, community liaison, office administration, and E&S.
- Work closely with supporting members of Xylo, BEH, and CFM. An organogram will be presented during the interview stage.
Candidate Expectations (Minimum)
- At least 10 years of experience in project management on infrastructure projects.
- Working experience in the development of industrial energy projects.
- Be able to navigate the interfaces between the technical, commercial, and ESG requirements of the Project development.
- Capable of effectively interfacing with all key stakeholders, including investor representatives, government officials, feedstock suppliers, and the energy offtaker.
- Lead the interactions with the Ugandan authorities.
- Communicate fluently in (written and spoken) English.
Candidate Expectations (Preferred)
- Experienced with biomass-fueled boilers and industrial brown-site retrofits.
- Knowledge and understanding of biomass feedstocks and their management during operations.
- Fluency or comprehension of Swahili.