Skip to content Serengeti Energy is a dynamic Independent Power Producer (IPP) developing, constructing and operating grid-connected run-of-river hydro and solar PV power plants of up to 50MW across sub-Saharan Africa.
With the injection of additional funding in 2022, the Board of Serengeti Energy are intent on ramping up the company’s delivery and expansion from a development platform into a fully-fledged IPP that delivers projects on time and to budget.
As such, they seek to appoint a new entrepreneurially-minded CEO to deliver this change, foster a results-driven culture and drive the company’s growth. The CEO will:
- Provide Strategic Leadership - develop and implement business initiatives, market development and operational plans in line with the Serengeti Energy strategy and business plan as approved by the Board
- Targets and Budgets - set business targets jointly with the senior management team and ensure that these are achieved
- People Leadership and Development - promote a commercial and results oriented business culture. Guide, motivate and develop direct and indirect subordinates, and coach and develop future leaders across the company
- Health, Safety, Environment and Social Performance - ensure that all activities strictly adhere to international best practices as well as approved company Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) and Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), business compliance standards and regulations while enhancing company ESG performance and profile
- Brand Management - lead development and positioning of the Serengeti Energy brand as a leading renewable IPP in sub-Saharan Africa
- Reporting - report to Board and Shareholders on the company’s performance and operations, including lead and quality control of report preparation, submission, and discussion with stakeholders
Dimensions of the Role:The CEO leads the Executive Management Committee (EXCO), which currently comprises (i) Development Director, (ii) CFO, (iii) Director SHEC and (iv) General Counsel. A Construction and Engineering Director is currently being recruited. Country managers (currently in South Africa, Malawi and Sierra Leone) also report directly to the CEO. Together with the EXCO, the CEO is responsible for overall company performance and the management of development and operations of the company and its subsidiaries. The CEO leads the EXCO and is the ultimate decision maker in the organisation, accountable to the Board of Directors and to the shareholders of the business.
Duties and responsibilities include:
- Leading the development of the company’s short and long-term strategy and
- operational plans, in line with the objective of being a leading renewable energy IPP platform active in development, construction oversight, operations and asset management with best in class performance on all these fronts
- Communicating a uniform vision for the company and making sure that this is understood and acted upon
- Creating a positive and business-oriented culture in the company focused on both financial and ESG performance
- Leading, guiding and managing the EXCO and directing reports such as Country Directors
- Implementing the remuneration policy and framework for the company as approved by
- the Board
- Communicating, on behalf of the company with stakeholders, including shareholders,
- government and utility officials, regulatory authorities, lenders and equity providers, and the general public
- Taking decisions and actions required for the company to improve revenues and reduce
- costs
- Enforcing adherence to legal guidelines and in-house policies to maintain the company’s legal status, compliance and business ethics
- Ensuring that Health & Safety performance is in line with IFC and other international
- standards as per the company HSMS and that this is best in class
- Ensuring that Environmental & Social performance is in line with IFC and other international standards as per the company ESMS and that this is best in class
Candidates for this position will have a combination of the following skills, experience and personal qualities:
- Master level degree in Engineering (Electrical/Mechanical/Civil) or Business Management
- At least 20 years’ relevant experience in energy and power generation industries drawn from project development, commercial, financing, construction, operations and general business management, mostly in Africa
- Significant experience in leading a company or major business unit in the power sector, preferably in Africa
- Profit and Loss responsibilities for business with complex operations covering multiple jurisdictions
- Experience with non- / limited recourse project financing of energy projects
- Leadership ability to inspire confidence and empowerment in a team, as well as holding the team accountable for results
- Ability to interact effectively with high level government officials to support the business at various stages (development, financing, construction & operations)
- Extensive networks, both in the renewabl energy industry (service providers, developers, investors and financing institutions) and with government and utility officials in sub-Saharan Africa
To be considered for this position please email Hamish: hamish.scragg@millarcameron.com or Justin justin.wharton@millarcameron.com
Since 2007 Millar Cameron has specialised in sourcing leadership and keyperson talent across a number of industries, including agribusiness, international development, industrial, consumer, financial and professional services, private equity, and technology, media and telecommunications. Our mission and purpose is to positively contribute to the development of Africa, and other emerging markets, through the provision of people.