Energy Economist [PR0001G]

Company Description

ProSidian is looking for “Great People Who Lead” at all levels in the organization. Are you a talented professional ready to deliver real value to clients in a fast-paced, challenging environment? ProSidian Consulting is looking for professionals who share our commitment to integrity, quality, and value.

ProSidian is a management and operations consulting firm with a reputation for its strong national practice spanning six solution areas including Risk Management, Energy & Sustainability, Compliance, Business Process, IT Effectiveness, and Talent Management. We help clients improve their operations.

Linking strategy to execution, ProSidian assists client leaders in maximizing company return on investment capital through design and execution of operations core to delivering value to customers. Visit www.ProSidian.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/prosidian for more information.

Job Description

ProSidian Seeks a Energy Economist (Contract Contingent) in Cote D'Ivoire | Ivory Coast, West Africa to support an engagement for an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1961 to advance economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle income countries. The Agency’s mission is to help companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. 

They link businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries. Focusing on select priority countries has been a successful strategy and a majority of these markets fall within the world’s fastest-growing regions. To achieve this vision and these objectives, The Agency focuses on energy, transportation and telecommunications sectors, where U.S. firms are most competitive and where the Agency’s assistance can help its partner countries develop the infrastructure needed for trade. 

The ProSidian Engagement Team Members work to provide Technical Assistance (“TA”), management, and program support deliverables for a grant to the Cote D'Ivoire Ministère de l'Economie et des Finances (“Ministry of Finance”), acting through the Ministère du Pétrole, de l’Énergie et des Énergies Renouvelables (“Ministry of Energy”) and Société des Energies de Côte d’Ivoire (“CI-ENERGIES”) (together, the “Grantee”) in collaboration with the Agency for the improvement of the electricity grid (“Project”) in Côte d’Ivoire (“Host Country”). The country aims to become an emerging country by 2020 thanks to a strong economic growth, based on the development of all sectors of the economy.

The goal is to improve, ultimately, the quality of life by adopting measures and reforms that help accelerate people's access to basic goods and services. The Terms of Reference for the proposed Study includes the following tasks: Task 1 Project Preparation and Kickoff Meeting | Task 2 Analysis of the Ivorian Electrical System | Task 3 Benchmark of Best Practices in Reducing Losses in Electricity Networks | Task 4 Loss Reduction Strategy | Task 5 Implementation Plan | Task 6 Monitoring and Evaluation Plan | Task 7 Capacity Building Training | Task 8 U.S. Sources of Supply Assessment | Task 9 Development Impact Assessment | Task 10 Final Report.

Energy Economist Candidates shall work to support requirements for PR0001 Engagement Team Member and research, model, plan, and analyze electrical utility and Smart Grid related costs, long-range Integrated Resource Planning (IRP), power generation costs, avoided cost benefits of utility energy efficiency, and demand-side programs. A smart grid is an electrical grid which includes a variety of operational and energy measures including smart meters, smart appliances, renewable energy resources, and energy efficient resources. Often, economist will present written testimony and provides oral testimony and job duties create, enhance, and review linear programing models, various inputs, assumptions, and optimized results related to smart grid power generation. 

The position will review all aspects of the model used to determine the least cost mix of resources to provide electrical energy. This position will review similar linear programing models that calculate the marginal cost of energy. Such investigations may involve the development of independent load forecasts, IRP models, and energy productions models. At times, the position will be asked to review other statistical models and methods in utility rate-making and planning. This position also investigates and prepares independent analysis on the cost of capital for utilities, which involve the use of financial models to determine the cost rate of common equity that allows the utility a reasonable opportunity to attract capital.

• Provide Short-Term Technical Assistance (STTA) Subject Matter Expertise For the Foreign Country’s Ministère de l'Economie et des Finances (“Ministry of Finance”), acting through the Ministère du Pétrole, de l’Énergie et des Énergies Renouvelables (“Ministry of Energy”) and Société des Energies de government francophone étranger in collaboration with the US Government Agency to provide Technical Assistance (“TA”) to support the improvement of the electricity grid (“Project”) in the Host Country. 
• The Host Country is the economic leader of the WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union) Zone and has developed four energy sector master plans to identify priority investments in generation, transmission, distribution, dispatching, monitoring, and management of the electricity grid.
• The ProSidian Engagement Team shall support the improvement of the Host Country electricity grid (“Project”). Prosidian provides expert consulting services to perform the TA and benchmarks best practices for reducing electricity losses globally; analyze the losses in the Host Country electricity system; and develop a full “Loss Reduction Strategy” and implementation plan that considers The Host Country’s energy growth and renewable energy goals.

Qualifications

The Energy Economist shall have consecutive employment in a position with comparable responsibilities within the past five (5) years, Must be able to use a computer to communicate via email; and proficient in Microsoft Office Products (Word/Excel/Power point) and related tools and technology required for the position. Work products shall be thorough, accurate, appropriately documented, and comply with established criteria. The candidate shall ensure that duties are performed in a competent and professional manner that meets milestones/delivery schedules as outlined.

Successful candidates must have the following:

•  Demonstrated working knowledge of econometric forecasting and electric utility planning models that optimize a least cost combination of resources associated with the production of electrical energy and a knowledge of linear programing.
•  Demonstrated experience researching and/or using general knowledge of the current trends, techniques, and practices of public utility regulation and impact of federal policies at the State level.
•  Demonstrated understanding of capital budgeting, corporate finance, and knowledge of the markets for debt and equity capital.
•  Experience make recommendations and present studies under critical review by experts orally or in writing

Technical Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of electric power generation and smart grid operations including systems and processes as well as safety rules, applicable codes, standards and regulations affecting analysis, design, operations and maintenance of bulk power and distribution systems. Ability to analyze and interpret information, determines relevant facts, and makes decisions and recommendations accordingly.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with all levels of the organization and with counterparts in outside organizations.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Management Preference: Demonstrated experience in computer models; methods of optimization and simulations; as well as experience in testifying before a commission or court of law.
• Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Bachelor s degree in accounting, banking, finance, business administration, economics, or related discipline from an accredited institution and 1 year of directly related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The Economist must have a master's degree in economics and have at least 5 years’ experience in the field of electricity. The expert must have conducted at least two studies comparable to the current one’s study.
• Work products shall be thorough, accurate, appropriately documented, and comply with established criteria. The candidate shall ensure that duties are performed in a competent and professional manner that meets milestones/delivery schedules as outlined.
• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Products (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, & Adobe)
• Experience in international development. 
• Strong preference to candidates that have spent meaningful time working in a developing country who understand such environments.
• Experience in international development or social change is a strong plus.
• Experience consulting and/or providing superior customer service related to complex international development matters, including analytical, advisory, and training support.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and excellent written and oral communication abilities.

TRAVEL: Travel as coordinated with the technical point of contact and approved in writing by the Contracting Officer in advance, is allowed, in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations. 

LOCATION: Work shall be conducted at the Cote D'Ivoire | Ivory Coast, West Africa

Additional Information

As a condition of employment, all employees are required to fulfill all requirements of the roles for which they are employed; establish, manage, pursue, and fulfill annual goals and objectives with at least three (3) Goals for each of the firms Eight Prosidian Global Competencies [1 - Personal Effectiveness | 2 - Continuous Learning | 3 - Leadership | 4 - Client Service | 5 - Business Management | 6 - Business Development | 7 - Technical Expertise | 8 - Innovation & Knowledge Sharing (Thought Leadership)]; and to support all business development and other efforts on behalf of ProSidian Consulting.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork – ability to foster teamwork collaboratively as a participant, and effectively as a team leader
• Leadership – ability to guide and lead colleagues on projects and initiatives
• Business Acumen – understanding and insight into how organizations perform, including business processes, data, systems, and people
• Communication – ability to effectively communicate to stakeholders of all levels orally and in writing
• Motivation – persistent in pursuit of quality and optimal client and company solutions
• Agility – ability to quickly understand and transition between different projects, concepts, initiatives, or work streams
• Judgment – exercises prudence and insight in decision-making process while mindful of other stakeholders and long-term ramifications
• Organization – ability to manage projects and activity, and prioritize tasks

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OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Business Tools – understanding and proficiency with business tools and technology, including Microsoft Office. The ideal candidate is advanced with Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word, and proficient with Adobe Acrobat, data analytic tools, and Visio with the ability to quickly learn other tools as necessary.
• Business Tools – understanding and proficiency with business tools and technology, including Microsoft Office. The ideal candidate is advanced with Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word, and proficient with Adobe Acrobat, data analytic tools, and Visio with the ability to quickly learn other tools as necessary.
• Commitment - to work with smart, interesting people with diverse backgrounds to solve the biggest challenges across private, public and social sectors
• Curiosity – the ideal candidate exhibits an inquisitive nature and the ability to question the status quo among a community of people they enjoy and teams that work well together
• Humility – exhibits grace in success and failure while doing meaningful work where skills have impact and make a difference
• Willingness - to constantly learn, share, and grow and to view the world as their classroom

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BENEFITS AND HIGHLIGHTS

ProSidian Employee Benefits and Highlights: Your good health and well-being are important to ProSidian Consulting. At ProSidian, we invest in our employees to help them stay healthy and achieve work-life balance. That’s why we are also pleased to offer the Employee Benefits Program, designed to promote your health and personal welfare. Our growing list of benefits currently include the following for Full Time Employees:

• Competitive Compensation: Pay range begins in the competitive ranges with Group Health Benefits, Pre-tax Employee Benefits, and Performance Incentives. For medical and dental benefits, the Company contributes a fixed dollar amount each month towards the plan you elect. Contributions are deducted on a Pre-tax basis.
• Group Medical Health Insurance Benefits: ProSidian partners with BC/BS, to offer a range of medical plans, including high-deductible health plans or PPOs. ||| Group Dental Health Insurance Benefits: ProSidian dental carriers - Delta, Aetna, Guardian, and MetLife.
• Group Vision Health Insurance Benefits:ProSidian offers high/low vision plans through 2 carriers: Aetna and VSP.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) Retirement Savings Plans help you save for your retirement for eligible employees. A range of investment options are available with a personal financial planner to assist you. The Plan is a pre-tax Safe Harbor 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a company match.
• Vacation and Paid Time-Off (PTO) Benefits: Eligible employees use PTO for vacation, a doctor’s appointment, or any number of events in your life. Currently these benefits include Vacation/Sick days – 2 weeks/3 days | Holidays - 10 ProSidian and Government Days are given.
• Pre-Tax Payment Programs: Pre-Tax Payment Programs currently exist in the form of a Premium Only Plan (POP). These Plans offer a full Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan and a tax benefit for eligible employees.
• Purchasing Discounts & Savings Plans: We want you to achieve financial success. We offer a Purchasing Discounts & Savings Plan through The Corporate Perks Benefit Program. This provides special discounts for eligible employees on products and services you buy on a daily basis.
• Security Clearance: Due to the nature of our consulting engagements there are Security Clearance requirements for Engagement Teams handling sensitive Engagements in the Federal Marketplace. A Security Clearance is a valued asset in your professional portfolio and adds to your credentials.
• ProSidian Employee & Contractor Referral Bonus Program: ProSidian Consulting will pay up to 5k for all referrals employed for 90 days for candidates submitted through our Referral Program.
• Performance Incentives: Due to the nature of our consulting engagements there are performance incentives associated with each new client that each employee works to pursue and support.
• Flexible Spending Account: FSAs help you pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care and dependent day care expenses on a pre-tax basis. You determine your projected expenses for the Plan Year and then elect to set aside a portion of each paycheck into your FSA.
• Supplemental Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: If you want extra protection for yourself and your eligible dependents, you have the option to elect supplemental life insurance. D&D covers death or dismemberment from an accident only.
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance: Disability insurance plans are designed to provide income protection while you recover from a disability.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - See Below Instructions On The Best Way To Apply

ProSidian Consulting is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, or Vietnam era, or other eligible veteran status, or any other protected factor. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ProSidian Consulting has made a pledge to the Hiring Our Heroes Program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the “I Hire Military” Initiative of The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) for the State of North Carolina. All applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of Veteran Status.

Furthermore, we believe in "HONOR ABOVE ALL" - be successful while doing things the right way. The pride comes out of the challenge; the reward is excellence in the work.

FOR EASY APPLICATION USE OUR CAREER SITE LOCATED ON http://www.ProSidian.com/ OR SEND YOUR RESUME’S, BIOS, AND SALARY EXPECTATION / RATES TO CAREERS @ PROSIDIAN.COM.

ONLY CANDIDATES WITH REQUIRED CRITERIA ARE CONSIDERED.

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