General Manager – Ntatumbila Power Electric Cooperative (NPEC) – 02/12/2024 Updated Job Requisites

Initiated in October 2021, the Zambia Electric Cooperative Development Program (ZECDP) is a program financed by the United States Agency of International Development (USAID) and implemented by NRECA International in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Authority (REA). The ZECDP project aims to accelerate rural electrification in Zambia by setting up sustainable electric cooperatives. These electric cooperatives will play a critical role in supporting the Government of Zambia’s goal of universal energy access for all. Successful implementation of ZECDP will result in:

• Showcasing a community-driven electric cooperative business framework
• Stimulating economic activity by supporting electrical infrastructure for income-generating ventures in each cooperative utility.

Situated approximately 1,100 km from Lusaka, Ntatumbila is located in Nakonde District, Muchinga Province. The community has a population of around 6,000 residents, most of whom are engaged in farming and livestock rearing as their primary economic activities. These industries have long operated without access to electricity, stifling growth and development. In July 2023, the Ntatumbila Power Electric Cooperative (NPEC) was registered as the first electric cooperative in Zambia and is expected to be operational in December 2024, using a solar mini-grid and low-voltage (LV) transmission network.

The Position:
Reporting to the NPEC Board of Directors (BoD), the General Manager (GM) is the senior executive officer of the NPEC and is responsible for the strategic administration and organizational evolution of the Cooperative. The GM is accountable for the development and success of the cooperative’s individual departments. The General Manager shall comply with and ensure implementation and compliance with the resolutions and determinations of the General Assemblies, and instructions given by the BoD. The GM also participates in the Board meetings and attends the General Assemblies of the Cooperative.

The General Manager oversees and manages all technical, operational, commercial, accounting, administrative and other activities delegated by the BoD. These tasks include, but are not limited to:

Leadership and Managerial Activities

1)   Manage activities and enforce policies of the Cooperative and its departments as delegated by the Board for integrity, quality, excellence and social responsibility

2)   Plan and enforce the execution of Cooperative processes, programs, business operations, service standards, and internal administrative regulations.

3)   Provide leadership, communication, and coaching to employees; cultivates a motivated Cooperative and culture of trust, teamwork, accountability, self-confidence, growth, and business ownership.

4)   Prepare and present a quarterly and annual operational plan and annual budget of income, expenses, and investments to the BoD for its consideration.

5)   Continuously assess new opportunities and strategic directions of benefit or interest to the Cooperative to propose to the BoD and keep them informed of major developments related to operations, legislation and regulations, and future planning.

6)   Hire and lay off employees in accordance with current labor and human resource standards and sign the corresponding employment contracts and severance packages.

7)   Develop and maintain a training schedule and budget for employee professional development and perform semi-annual review of all Cooperative staff.

8)   Ensure adherence to established and safety policies, in compliance with national regulations.

Technical Operational Activities

9)   Implement electricity generation and distribution network operation activities, while maintaining a culture of engagement, operational efficiency, compliance, and safety.

10)   Plan and manage the operation and maintenance of the generation facility and distribution network, to maximize renewable usage and system reliability while minimizing operating costs and outages.

Commercial Service Activities

11)   Oversee metering, billing, collection and connection activities and approve daily collection reports.

12)   Oversee all customer service activities, seeking to maximize the quality of the service.

13)   Carry out managerial activities in the Customer Information System/ Customer Relationship Management tools

14)   Develop and oversee implementation of all agreements with local institutions and national authorities.

Accounting and Administrative Activities

15)   Implement and monitor approved annual operating and capital expenditure budgets and approve reconciled financial books and bank accounts.

16)   Develop and supervise preparation of financial and administrative reports monthly

17)   Approve regular inventory reports, procurement requests, purchase order and service contracts, and reception documentation.

18)   Approve payments, payroll, taxes and other applicable dues to government institutions.

19)   Oversee human resources, warehousing, security, and information technology (IT) support.

20)   Set up and manage applications and user privileges in the different IT systems within Cooperative

Job Requisites:

• Tertiary education in business or similar (required). An additional qualification in electrical engineering will be an advantage.
• Minimum 5 years of proven working experience, including managerial positions
• Knowledge of customer relationship management strategies and budgeting/accounting platforms (advantage)
• Knowledge of operation and maintenance of solar generation systems,     diesel generation and Low Voltage electricity network (advantage)
• English writing and speaking proficiency level (required).
• Fluent in Bemba (advantage)
• Possession of a valid driver license (required)