Senior Energy Lead

About Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA)

The Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency employs the triple helix cluster model with representation from Government, Industry, and Academia as part of its design setup. The cluster works at the interface between business, government, and academia in order to identify and remove barriers to economically viable green economy catalysing its uptake to enable the region and its citizens to prosper.

MGCA is a non-profit organisation that works to advance a sustainable and inclusive green economy and create shared value in the Mpumalanga province. We work both at the micro and macro level supporting green-tech SMEs build their businesses, enabling bigger businesses to improve their environmental footprint, and assisting the provincial government to create the right environment for a more resilient green economy. Ultimately, we are helping to facilitate more investment, ecosystem building and stimulate job creation into Mpumalanga’s green economy.

Job Purpose:

The Senior Energy Lead will be exposed to a wide range of solutions in the energy field, including renewable energy (i.e. solar, wind, hydropower, bioenergy), battery storage systems, energy efficiencies, electric vehicles and smart grids. This role aims to provide technical and economic skills to the energy portfolio, programmes, projects, and solutions. The candidate must have a passion for the South African renewable energy market and comprehensive knowledge of Just Energy Transition, Just Transition and Climate Change.

The Energy Programme.

MGCA would like to appoint a Senior Energy Lead. The South African energy sector is fast-paced and exciting. We engage across all three tiers of government, work with multinational and local private sector players, and drive impact in the Provincial economy. We work with Developers, Independent Power Producers, Regulators, Authorities, Entrepreneurs, Financiers, Original Equipment Manufacturers, Research Institutions, and Communities to drive an inclusive and progressive energy secured Mpumalanga. You can be part of the energy future you want to see for South Africa, grow your influence and network, and gain exposure to national and international best practices.

The successful candidate will be exposed to a wide range of projects in the energy field, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric mobility, and grid modernisation.

The successful candidate will help position MGCA as a credible partner in the Just Energy Transition and green-economy agenda by driving Developer and IPP bottleneck support, engagements with regulators and authorities, progress issue tracking and resolving, development of concept notes on innovative technologies and solutions, project designs and development for MSMEs and communities. The role also includes facilitation, development of industry briefs, and development and management of project pipeline.

Job Details

Job Title	Senior Energy Lead
Location	Middelburg, Mpumalanga (with travel as required)
Contract Type	12 month contract, with a three-month probation period
Reports To	Programme Manager
Remuneration	Market-related

Qualifications and Experience

• Postgraduate degree in Engineering, Economics, Finance, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience.
• Knowledge and experience in the energy sector, business development and/or green technologies.
• Understanding of South Africa’s energy policy landscape (and associated sectoral policies).
• An existing network of stakeholders in the energy sector (e.g., technology providers, consultants, government, NGOs, academia).

Competencies and Skills

• Strong understanding of the South African energy sector.
• Proven experience in energy industry
• Demonstrated expertise in solution development, project development, business development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; confidence in formal and informal public speaking.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to identify, understand and quantify the viability and size of energy sector opportunities.
• Excellent attention to detail; ability to self-manage, multi-task and prioritise.
• Flexibility and willingness to contribute to wider organisational needs when required.
• Valid South African driver’s licence.
• Innovative and driven.

Core Tasks and Responsibilities

1. Support the realization of the MGCA corporate strategy

• Align activities to the MGCA corporate strategy
• Align operational plan to MGCA implementation plan
• Align programmes and projects to MGCA objectives and annual plans

2. Relationship building and stakeholder engagement

• Build and maintain key relationships across the energy value chain.
• Identify and unlock barriers to investment; provide objective market insights to unlock opportunities and create jobs.
• Meet with industry players; participate in industry events and government forums; contribute to relevant sector projects and research reference groups.
• Facilitation of meetings, workshops, events, webinars, summits and conferences

3. Promote market opportunities through viable business cases

• Collect, manage and analyse market data for targeted dissemination.
• Gather and share information required by investors to make informed investment decisions.
• Compile, analyse and report data to explain sector dynamics and forecast trends; ensure meticulous data management.
• Develop relationships to access data resources.
• Develop market and industry briefs
• Develop concept notes to enable value creation on energy value chain
• Manage colleagues executing feasibility and research studies

4. Project delivery and reporting

• Develop project concepts to support the MSMEs and Communities
• Develop project pipeline gathering initiatives from MSMEs, Communities, Municipalities, other key stakeholders
• Raise project funding through local and international funding platforms and calls
• Project manage internal and external projects and resources to meet deliverables and milestones.

5. Sectoral technical expertise

• Act as first point of contact for external sectoral queries.
• Provide insights for current MGCA partners and potential new investors in areas of specialisation.
• Perform sector data analytics using multiple data sources; input into annual market intelligence reports.
• Contribute technical intelligence to projects; provide formal comments to authorities on draft policies and legislation.

6. Reporting and organisational support

• Prepare high-quality progress reports, technical memos, presentations and management updates.
• Contribute to annual market intelligence reports and cross-cutting organisational priorities.
• Support wider MGCA programme needs where required.

7. Human Resources

• Manage junior resources
• Perform skills transfer to junior resources
• Execute performance management for junior resources

Contract length and remuneration

This is a contract position. Contract renewal will depend on performance and the organisation’s requirements at the time. There will be a three-month probation period for this position. Remuneration will be market-related, with recognition that MGCA is a not-for-profit organisation. Offers made will take qualifications, experience and level of responsibility into account.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should complete the application form and upload all relevant documents (CV and proof of qualifications) here:  https://forms.gle/F6jtowYeRmRrLpaw6  by 20 August 2026.

MGCA is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity employment. Women and individuals from historically disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply.