GOTF Lead

Role Summary

• Global Energy Alliance is seeking a Kenya based GOTF Lead to serve as an embedded resource supporting Kenya Power through the foundational stage of its grid modernisation programme and into the early implementation of selected pilots. The consultant will help the utility move from early alignment into a structured programme of work by leading the initial assessment, facilitating development of a Utility Charter, shaping a phased three-year roadmap, and maintaining continuity into first phase delivery.
• S/he will work on a day-to-day basis alongside Kenya Power teams while remaining closely coordinated with the Global Energy Alliance team supporting the programme and will help strengthen day-to-day working relationships between Kenya Power, Global Energy Alliance, and other relevant technical or financing partners.

Key Responsibilities

Utility Engagement and Pilot Development

• Act as primary liaison with Kenya Power.
• Facilitate development of a Utility Charter and a phased three-year modernisation roadmap through structured engagement with relevant teams.
• Define priority pilot areas and support development of technical concept notes covering digitalisation, flexibility, loss reduction, and BESS integration.
• Coordinate workshops and capacity building programmes with utility teams.

Regulatory and Institutional Coordination

• Maintain working relationships with EPRA, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, and other relevant sector institutions, and support scaling of pilots and innovations.
• Assess regulatory frameworks affecting distributed energy resources, storage, flexibility, and renewable integration.
• Identify barriers and propose practical pathways for pilot implementation.

Ecosystem and Partner Engagement

• Engage technology providers, universities, startups, and potential co-funding partners around the GOTF programme.
• Facilitate coordination with other technical advisors and financing stakeholders supporting Kenya Power.

Technical Advisory and Fundraising Support

• Provide advisory on grid digitalisation, digital twins, distributed BESS use cases, DER integration, and flexibility strategies.
• Support preparation of funding proposals and donor materials.
• Represent GEA at key national and regional events.

Reporting and Documentation

• Provide monthly progress updates to the GEA team and Kenya Power, as required.
• Support preparation of concept notes, technical briefs, and stakeholder mapping.

Qualifications

• At least 15 years of senior experience in the power sector, at a utility, regulator, advisory firm, engineering firm, or sector institution.
• Strong track record in utility modernisation, digitisation, transformation, or operational improvement programmes.
• Established working relationships across the Kenyan power sector, including familiarity with Kenya Power and key sector stakeholders.
• Good working knowledge of distribution utility operations, including reliability, losses, and grid performance.
• Familiarity with grid digitisation, digital twins, GIS-based asset management, SCADA, AMI, renewable integration, battery energy storage, and demand-side flexibility.
• Strong written and verbal communication, with the ability to synthesise complex inputs into clear materials for executive audiences.
• Self-directed, well organised, and comfortable operating in an embedded role with limited day-to-day supervision.