VAC-2026-0003: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - COMMERCIAL

Application Closing Date: March 9, 2026

Grade: CEC 5

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Kitwe

This role is responsible for the commercial evaluation and development of CEC projects, managing the commercial lifecycle from opportunity assessment to investment readiness and signed agreements. The role facilitates deal sourcing and opportunity evaluation in line with CEC’s strategic objectives, ensures projects are financially and economically viable and strategically aligned, coordinates inputs from Technical, Legal, and other specialist teams, and provides commercial and economic analysis to support investment cases and presentations to CEC approval committees.

The position will report to the Head - Project Development.

Key Accountabilities

Co-manage the full project development lifecycle from sourcing, evaluation, drafting of business cases, securing management and regulatory approvals and closing in line with CEC's strategic objectives.

• Sourcing Function
  
  • Developing Project Sourcing Strategies that align with overall company goals, such as cost reduction, quality improvement, or sustainability initiatives.
  • Proactively scan the market to identify potential projects that fit within CEC's strategic vision.
• Evaluation Function
  
  • Review project proposals for commercial fit to CEC's strategic intent.
  • Monitor market trends, regulatory changes, and competitor activity to provide insights that support commercial strategy and project performance.
  • Identification of potential project risks (permitting, environmental, commercial) and provide input on mitigation strategies.
  • Develop financial models, cost-benefit analyses, valuations, and risk-return evaluations to ensure project profitability and investment soundness.
• Approval Function
  
  • Take the lead in coordinating the process of securing all key project licenses, permits and other applicable approvals.
  • Provide commercial and economic inputs to support project recommendations, including financial viability, strategic alignment, and risk assessment, for management consideration.
  • Support the preparation of project Investment Papers by providing financial, economic, and strategic inputs to inform Project Steering Committee and CEC Board decisions.
• Closeout Function
  
  • Provide commercial and financial inputs to support the drafting, negotiation, and closing of key project agreements, reviewing payment structures, revenue streams, and financial obligations to ensure alignment with project financial models and strategic objectives.
  • Facilitate the negotiation of financing agreements and management of Conditions Precedent leading to financial close.
  • Support the preparation of project handover paper to the appointed project manager for onward implementation.

To be successful in this role, you will be required to have:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Accounts or a Business related discipline.
• Relevant qualifications in Technical Studies, Project Management are an added advantage.
• Must be a registered member of EAZ, ZICA, or any other relevant professional body.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in project development, preferably within the renewable energy sector, with a focus on commercial and economic aspects of projects.
• Practical experience across the full project development lifecycle, including opportunity evaluation, financial and commercial feasibility, budgeting, risk assessment, and advancing projects from concept to construction-ready stage.
• Proven experience in financial modelling, cost-benefit analysis, project valuation, and risk-return assessments, with exposure to project finance, commercial deal structuring, and contract management.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary, cross-functional teams and liaise effectively with internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, lenders, and regulatory authorities.
• Experience supporting the drafting, review, and negotiation of key project agreements (e.g., PPA, EPC, O&M, Land Lease, Shareholding, and Joint Development agreements), and providing commercial guidance on milestone payments, insurance, and contractual obligations.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and communication skills, with the ability to provide strategic commercial inputs, track project progress, support approvals, and ensure alignment between technical, financial, and strategic project objectives.

Applications

If you have the relevant skills and experience, please click the ‘Apply Here’ button below and complete the online job application. Hard copy applications will not be accepted at this stage.

CEC is an equal opportunity employer; therefore, it is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in its staff.

The closing date for receipt of applications is March 9, 2026.

Applicants are requested to provide daytime contact numbers and accessible email addresses. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.