Overview
The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to our mission of saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries. We work at the invitation of governments to support them and the private sector to create and sustain high-quality health systems.
CHAI was founded in 2002 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with the goal of dramatically reducing the price of life-saving drugs and increasing access to these medicines in the countries with the highest burden of the disease. Over the following two decades, CHAI has expanded its focus. Today, along with HIV, we work with our partners to prevent and treat infectious diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. Our work has also expanded into cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases, and we work to accelerate the rollout of lifesaving vaccines, reduce maternal and child mortality, combat chronic malnutrition, and increase access to assistive technology. We are investing in horizontal approaches to strengthen health systems through programs in human resources for health, digital health, and health financing. With each new and innovative program, our strategy is grounded in maximizing sustainable impact at scale, ensuring that governments lead the solutions, that programs are designed to scale nationally, and learnings are shared globally.
At CHAI, our people are our greatest asset, and none of this work would be possible without their talent, time, dedication, and passion for our mission and values. We are a highly diverse team of enthusiastic individuals across 40 countries with a broad range of skill sets and life experiences. CHAI is deeply grounded in the countries we work in, with the majority of our staff based in program countries. Learn more about our exciting work:
CHAI strives to be an equal opportunity employer and promotes fairness, respect, equity, and dignity in the workplace. CHAI welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and encourages people from historically disadvantaged groups to apply. CHAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing an environment of fairness, and mutual respect where all applicants have access to equal employment opportunities. CHAI values diversity and inclusion and recognizes that our mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and culture.
Team Overview
CHAI in South Africa partners with the National and Provincial Departments of Health to support sustainable, climate-smart health infrastructure. The Solar Financing Programme is a flagship initiative that aims to accelerate solar PV and energy efficiency projects across public health facilities through innovative blended-finance structures. By aggregating facilities into portfolios and leveraging public-private partnerships, the programme seeks to enhance energy resilience, reduce costs, and align with South Africa's Net Zero and Race to Zero commitments.
CHAI's Solar Financing team works with governments, donors, and private-sector partners to design and implement large-scale solar and energy efficiency projects in the health sector. The team provides analytical, technical, and operational support to strengthen government ownership and enable evidence-based decision-making for sustainable energy investments.
In addition to its core work on solar and energy efficiency programmes, the team provides ad-hoc technical and analytical support to Departments of Health on energy-related initiatives, including rapid assessments, performance reviews, and energy data analytics.
Position Overview
The Technical Adviser will serve as a senior expert and strategic adviser to CHAI's Solar Financing Programme, providing technical oversight, strategic guidance, and quality assurance across all workstreams. The role will focus on ensuring technical soundness, financial viability, and operational feasibility of solar PV and energy efficiency interventions across health facilities.
The Technical Adviser will work closely with CHAI's Programme Manager, Associates, and government counterparts to advise on system design, energy performance analysis, procurement approaches, and financial structuring. The role will also support stakeholder engagement with government departments, engineering partners, and the private sector to ensure high-quality implementation and long-term sustainability of energy interventions.
This position requires a strong background in renewable energy systems, project management, and energy financing, combined with the ability to translate technical concepts into actionable recommendations for government and donor audiences.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Technical and Strategic Advisory
Provide expert technical advice on the design, sizing, and implementation of solar PV and energy efficiency systems across health facilities.
Review and validate technical and financial models developed by CHAI staff or external partners to ensure accuracy and alignment with best practices.
Support development of procurement and contracting frameworks, including evaluation of EPC, PPA, and Lease-to-Buy models.
Advise on energy performance monitoring frameworks and guide the integration of smart metering and data platforms for system tracking.
Contribute to feasibility assessments, business cases, and concept notes for donor or government funding.
Provide strategic guidance on regulatory and compliance considerations related to solar deployment, grid integration, and municipal approval processes.
Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance
Ensure technical quality and consistency across CHAI's solar and energy efficiency deliverables, reports, and presentations.
Review and advise on terms of reference, vendor documentation, and site assessment outputs from contractors or consultants.
Oversee or support project site visits to verify technical progress, design compliance, and safety standards.
Support the Programme Manager in developing implementation plans, risk registers, and monitoring frameworks to ensure effective execution of project milestones.
Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement
Provide mentorship and technical guidance to CHAI Associates and government staff on energy systems design, financial analysis, and project management.
Engage with senior government officials, utility representatives, and donors to align CHAI's technical support with national energy and health infrastructure strategies.
Represent CHAI at technical working groups, sector forums, and conferences to share insights and strengthen partnerships.
Support cross-learning between provinces and facilitate documentation of lessons learned from energy projects.
Ad-hoc Technical Support
Respond to short-term government or donor requests related to energy performance, cost analysis, or system troubleshooting.
Contribute to rapid reviews, energy data analytics, or technical due diligence for emerging initiatives.
Provide expert input into other CHAI infrastructure and sustainability workstreams as needed.
Perform any other responsibilities as requested by your manager.
Qualifications
Advanced degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Energy Systems), Renewable Energy, or a related technical field.
Minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in solar PV design, energy project management, or infrastructure financing, preferably in the public health or development sectors.
Strong technical understanding of solar PV system components, design principles, grid integration, and performance monitoring tools.
Proven experience with procurement models, financial structuring, or blended-finance mechanisms for energy projects.
Demonstrated ability to review and validate technical and financial models, drawings, or specifications.
Excellent project management and stakeholder coordination skills, with experience engaging government, utilities, and private sector actors.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical content into actionable recommendations.
Experience working in South Africa's energy or health infrastructure sectors is highly desirable.
Skills And Attributes
Strong analytical thinker with the ability to identify risks and propose practical, evidence-based solutions.
Collaborative and diplomatic, able to work effectively with senior government officials and multidisciplinary teams.
Results-oriented, organized, and capable of managing multiple technical priorities simultaneously.
Committed to CHAI's values of partnership, integrity, and sustainable impact.
Adaptable and proactive, comfortable operating in dynamic, evolving project environments.
Willingness to travel within South Africa as required.
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