Deputy Program Manager

Job Summary

The Deputy Programme Manager (DPM) will support the Programme Manager in implementing and scaling the Distributed Renewable Energy Enhancement Facility (DREEF). The role requires strong coordination, stakeholder engagement, and programme execution skills. The DPM will act as a bridge between DREEF, InfraCredit, regulators, financiers, and development partners, with a particular focus on driving stakeholder relationships (e.g., REA, donor partners, financiers) and ensuring operational efficiency.

The DPM will also champion structured reporting to InfraCredit and investors, contribute to pipeline development, and ensure that projects supported by DREEF are investment-ready and aligned with InfraCredit’s due diligence criteria.

Job Details

• Support the Programme Manager in day-to-day implementation of DREEF’s strategy, workplans, and pipeline activities.
• Ensure timely execution of project development support across technical, financial, ESG, legal, and procurement workstreams.
• Track project milestones and ensure adherence to budgets, quality, and timelines.
• Lead engagement with key external stakeholders including REA, development partners, financiers, and regulators to secure alignment, cooperation, and resource leverage.
• Maintain a stakeholder engagement log, track commitments, and ensure follow-ups are actioned.
• Represent DREEF in partner meetings, working groups, and collaborative initiatives as delegated by the Programme Manager.
• Support in identifying, screening, and prioritising projects for DREEF support.
• Track the pipeline from intake to financial close, highlighting risks, bottlenecks, and support needs.
• Prepare weekly internal updates for InfraCredit and quarterly narrative reports for investors
• Assist in maintaining M&E frameworks and tools to track impact, outputs, and lessons learned.
• Support dissemination of insights and knowledge-sharing across InfraCredit and partners.
• Ensure projects meet InfraCredit’s Distributed Renewable Energy Lender Technical (DRELT) criteria before advancing to financial close.
• Monitor compliance with InfraCredit, World Bank, and partner governance and reporting requirements.
• Provide backstopping support to workstream leads (Technical, ESG, Legal, Finance, Procurement, PUE).
• Contribute to SOP updates and ensure alignment with InfraCredit’s due diligence processes

DREEF Deputy Programme Manager – KPI & Deliverables 

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in engineering, energy studies, environmental studies, economics, business administration, finance, or relevant discipline. Relevant professional certifications are an advantage.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in program/project management with strong exposure to sustainable energy, energy access, energy management, climate finance, and/or the environmental sector.
• At least 5 years of experience in international development institutions working in the clean energy sector.
• Strong knowledge and expertise in renewable energy technologies (e.g. solar mini-grids, solar home systems), and their economics, financing, and regulatory schemes especially in Nigeria. Previous experience supporting off-grid and under-grid energy markets in Nigeria is highly desirable.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, and financial analysis.
• Proven track record in successfully leading and managing large-scale, complex projects.
• Excellent strategic planning and organizational skills.
• Strong networks within the clean energy sector in Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa, or internationally.
• Experience in engaging with government and private sector counterparts and facilitating deliberations among various stakeholders especially within the clean energy sector. 
• Interest and experience in preparing and organizing high-level technical workshops and meetings;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and writing skills including the ability to write concisely and translate technical knowledge and ideas into fluent and understandable English, draft concise reports and correspondence, and ability to defend orally and in writing difficult issues and positions to a variety of stakeholders.
• Good team player who can work as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, with the ability to lead and inspire a diverse team of professionals.
• Willingness to travel extensively nationally, regionally, and internationally as may be required, as well as to remote areas.

About Company

Dreef

https://dreef.org/

The Distributed Renewable Energy Enhancement Facility Incorporated (“DREEF” LLC) is a specialized project development facility established by InfraCredit in partnership with the World Bank and collaborating with the REA alongside other development partners. DREEF is designed to eliminate operational and financial hurdles encountered during the development of DRE projects. Essentially, the objective of DREEF is to operate an institutional model that can expedite access to long-term local currency capital for DRE projects while propelling DRE developers toward maturity (i.e., RESCos - Renewable Energy Service Companies) in a streamlined manner. DREEF employs a comprehensive approach, providing strategic operational support at the corporate level and deploying hybrid human and financial capital tailored to diverse project development activities. This includes financing feasibility studies, providing technical and financial support to jointly develop DRE projects, legal structuring costs, and equity contributions on a project-specific basis, ensuring a holistic approach to achieving timely financial close for DRE Projects.