Technical Manager

Jaza is a solar energy start-up, working to power Sub-Saharan Africa, where there are over 600,000,000 people living without electricity. Jaza believes that a mix of people, technology and capital can connect Jaza’s market to the future of how people live and work around the world.

The company builds solar-powered shops, called hubs, which are used to charge batteries customers use to power their homes. A single hub serves hundreds of households. The company employs women from each Jaza community to run the service, empowering the Jaza team to become leaders, entrepreneurs and drivers of economic growth within their communities.

The job of the Technical Manager is to maintain reliable technical operations across all Hubs so we can continuously serve our customers. Technical Manager reports the CTO for technical planning, strategy, and escalation of issues. The Technical Manager is the command and control center for all Field Technicians, and works through them to ensure Hub Uptime.

The company’s Technical Manager will play a critical role in charting the path towards future growth and success at Jaza in Nigeria. The Technical Manager will oversee the launch of the company’s first 6 Hubs in Oyo State, and will oversee system commissioning and ensure Hub uptime in close collaboration with the leadership team. 

The company is seeking a driven, detailed oriented, and highly accountable individual that can deliver results with integrity. Experience and a proven track record will help demonstrate your ability, but we are flexible on how you show us you’re up for the job. We want the best candidate and that may come from any background. 

Roles and Responsibilities: 

• Oversee the installation and commissioning of Hubs
• Oversee the setup of Phones, HubControllers, and JazaPacks for Hub deployment
• Monitor Hub Uptime and allocate work plans for Field Technical teams. 
• Remotely troubleshoot and resolve Hub performance issues
• Anticipate Hub performance issues based on past performance and weather
• Monitor and review technical reports
• Oversee the testing, troubleshooting, and repair of defective products 
• Provide technical support to Hub Managers
• Maintain accurate records of Hub inventory equipment
• Maintain accurate records of defective product inventory
• Communicate technical issues to Hub Managers and the leadership team
• Manage the recording and resolution of technical issues in Gitlab
• Plan and prepare monthly budgets for technical activities
• Ensure that accurate records and logs of field activities are maintained
• Prepare weekly reports, work plans, and daily updates   

Qualifications and Relevant Experiences:

• Has a degree in a technical-related field and a minimum of 3 years of working experience.
• Experience working hands-on with electronics and hardware
• Has excellent computer knowledge

Skills

Should include technical proficiency, solar energy and leadership; demonstrated success developing and leading teams to achieve quality results.

• Excellent people skills, with an ability to partner with a dynamic team
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission of Jaza
• Flexible and able to multi­task; can work within an ambiguous, fast moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding people
• Ambitious and eager to learn; able to grow with the organization
• Capable of safely assembling and disassembling hardware, working on and around power systems, using measuring devices and tools. 
• Comfortable climbing a ladder working at heights