Chief Operations Officer at Nigerian Electricity Supply Corporation (Nigeria) Limited (NESCO)

Purpose of the Job

• The purpose of the job is to ensure that the operations of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Corporation (Nigeria) Limited [NESCO (Nigeria) Limited] are consistently efficient and effective; that there is proper management of resources, and distribution of services to its customers; and that continuous organisational supervision, monitoring and evaluation is conducted, led by the Departmental Heads. Programmes led by the Departmental Heads responsible for Generation, Distribution, Commercial & Customer Services, and Planning and Development shall be coordinated by the Chief Operations Officer (COO) to ensure synergy.
• He/She will also interact with the other Departments to ensure joined up working throughout the Corporation.
• Reporting to the Managing Director (MD)/Chief Executive (CEO) and working as a key member of the leadership team, the COO will provide key support to the MD/CEO and Management Team in setting and achieving the business and revenue targets of NESCO (Nigeria) Limited, actively participating in strategy and wider business development issues and seeking opportunities to maximise the potential of the Corporation.
• The COO will also take a leadership role in building, implementing, and overseeing all of the Corporation’s systems, processes, workflows, and procedures. He/She will also play a critical role in helping to shape and guide the future growth and development of the organisation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Chief Operations Officer (COO) shall therefore be responsible, but not limited, for the following:

• Be responsible for supporting the MD/CEO in focusing the establishment and optimization of day-to-day operations in the Corporation.
• Oversee the implementation of change management processes based on organizational performance metrics established by the Board of Directors.
• Be responsible for and lead in strategic planning and the developing, implementation, and executing/managing the Corporation’s operational strategic business plan (s) with particular emphasis on operational and organizational performance & efficiency through proper allocation of all resources required for business, including technology and people, to the impact areas.
• In collaboration with MD/CEO and in line with Corporations Strategic Plan, plan and coordinate financial and business planning, coordinate the development of organizational plans and budgets, execute the annual budget process as relevant to all operational and administrative aspects of the organization, and manage operational performance goals through the organizational Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for each Technical Department.
• Lead all tactical and strategic team meetings in conjunction with the MD/CEO and alone in the MD/CEO’s absence.
• Identify organization’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), develop project plans to achieve goals, and monitor organization’s performance.
• Own master project list and take the lead steering special projects and key initiatives, and assign special projects as needed.
• Advise the entire Management Team on key planning issues, coordinate project delivery and make recommendations on important business decisions.
• Manage the delivery of the Corporation’s Strategic Plan in the impact areas while ensuring linkages to and joined-up working with the Departments to meet overall delivery timelines.
• Drive forward new objectives and business programmes to ensure effective operation, management and control of defined areas of responsibility.
• Engineer and implement improved operational systems company-wide to ensure continuous improvement without killing innovation.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the organisation to enhance current business performance, drive operational and business strategy and encompass new technology, services and markets.
• Implement processes, infrastructure and effective management practices to enable and sustain the Corporation’s continual growth and expansion.
• Ensure that all Departmental Heads are fully informed of the operational objectives across the organization and monitor Departmental performance against goals to ensure that progress is being achieved.
• Establish, monitor and consolidate organizational performance reporting systems with regard to meeting the strategic objectives for regular reporting to Management and the Board of Directors.
• Improve service to NESCO (Nigeria) Limited’s customers and potential customers.
• Improve communications with the Corporation’s customers and stakeholders.
• Ensure that a proper system for long term load projections, demand side management, expansion planning, budgeting, revenue projections and cost reflective pricing is in place.
• Examine areas in the power system, plant and equipment, which cause power interruptions or inadequate delivery capacity and institute appropriate strategies and action plans to remedy the power interruptions and inadequate delivery capacity.
• Focus on staffing, infrastructure, resources and procedural weakness that may adversely affect service delivery and performance.
• Implement actions, practices and procedures on impact/priority bases to address the problems and initiate the process to reallocate resources to improve the situation.
• Develop and propose to Management a work environment that recruits, retains and supports quality staff and a process for selecting, developing, motivating and evaluating staff especially in technical areas.
• Carry out any other duties that may be assigned by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer from time to time.

Minimum Educational & Professional Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance or Economics, with a proven track record of managing strategic institutions of the size and complexity of power utility companies.  Those with experience in power (or electricity) utility will have an added advantage.
• Applicants must have at least ten (10) years’ post-qualification practical experience, preferably in the electricity supply field/industry in a busy environment, out of which at least five (5) years should be at top/senior management level in a reputable organisation.
• Relevant Professional Body Membership.
• Knowledge of utility sector operations with the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) being an added advantage.
• Knowledge and understanding of Electricity Generation, Distribution, Retail & Sale market.
• Knowledge & experience of business principles, operations and management.
• Knowledge of financial and management accounts.
• Qualified or possesses requisite experience in HR frameworks, financial management, marketing.
• Have strong management experience and strong business acumen with ability to see the big picture and plan out details.
• Proven project management experience.

Attributes and Competencies:

• Have executive coaching, good leadership and team building skills.
• Be result oriented.
• Be decisive, self-motivated, assertive and a natural team builder with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be able to work well under pressure and be extremely organized.
• Be of high integrity, honesty and excellent negotiating skills.
• Demonstrable skills in strategy execution.
• Demonstrate all aspects of business planning and enacting strategy, monitoring and measuring results.
• Business management, decision making, and market sector awareness.