AddressEkistica (www.ekistica.com.au) is a professional advisory and technical consultancy firm based in Central Australia with over fifteen years of experience delivering innovative solutions to the complex challenges of remote and regional area infrastructure development across Australia, the Pacific, South Asia and beyond.
Wholly owned by the Indigenous controlled Centre for Appropriate Technology, our vision is a world where location is no longer a barrier to good technical outcomes: where the appropriation of technology enables people, communities and businesses to reach their full potential. We pursue this by providing high-quality, independent technical advisory, design engineering, and project delivery services to a wide range of national and international clients that include state and national governments, intergovernmental agencies and development banks/organisations, power utilities, community service organisations, large commercial firms, and private investment firms.
Based in either our Alice Springs or Hobart office, you will work collaboratively alongside our team of more than twenty-five professional engineers, project managers, engagement specialists and data analysts to deliver an exciting and challenging suite of projects across the renewable energy sector. Ekistica advises on projects that range from utility-scale renewable energy generation, energy storage, network infrastructure and consolidated power systems projects, and in geographies including large interconnected power systems in the National Electricity Market (NEM) and the Northern Territory, as well as remote indigenous communities and infrastructure developments across Australia and the Pacific.
Ekistica is seeking a motivated and values-driven Commercial Advisor that combines technical and commercial acumen to deliver outcomes to projects, clients and the broader energy sector. Utilising strong analytical skills and a consulting mindset, you will support clients in developing and realising their pipeline of renewable energy projects from inception through to financial close and construction delivery. Key responsibilities include:
Greenfield project development support and strategic advisory, including:
Initial feasibility studies and options analyses;
Business Case development;
Project scoping including project scope development, supplier and contracting strategies;
Supporting in securing project permitting and grid connection;
Costing and budget forecasting for the project development and construction delivery stages;
Project management including management of third-party consultants, project scheduling, quality control, cost and risk management.
Transaction due diligence support and advisory, including:
Commercial and technical due diligence, including into project development and delivery risks, Joint Development Agreement structuring and overall strategic alignment;
Coordination of client interface and internal project team throughout transaction due diligence processes;
Management of third-party consultants into due diligence workstreams; and,
Timeline, budget and schedule management alongside agreed scope of work.
Relevant to both greenfield development and transactions, undertake key project evaluation, due diligence and structuring activities, including but not limited to:
Commercial & financial evaluations;
Contractor selection review and/or procurement process management;
Term Sheet or key project contract structuring and negotiations;
Integration of technical expertise alongside commercial and legal outcomes;
Client and stakeholder engagement; and
Probity matters as appropriate.
Liaising with client legal counsel regarding the preparation, review, negotiation and management of various projects agreements (including joint venture agreements, power purchase agreements and finance documentation) and legal relationships.
Providing project management leadership/support to achieve alignment with governance frameworks and approved cost, schedule and risk boundaries, and a positive commercial outcome. This includes developing and monitoring project plans and budgets, as well as maintaining client relationships throughout the project.
Technical and economic feasibility analysis and development of business cases.
Report writing including investment proposals, stakeholder reports and presentations.
The successful candidate will have the following minimum qualifications and attributes:
Minimum Bachelors’ Degree in relevant area of study (e.g. Commerce, Business, Economics, Law, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
5 – 10 years of work experience in advisory, project management or project development and delivery, with a preference for energy sector related roles.
A keen interest in remaining across industry trends, technologies, and regulatory requirements pertaining to the renewable energy sector.
Demonstrated ability to comprehend and communicate commercial, economic and technical challenges and opportunities relevant within the renewable energy sector.
Well developed commercial awareness and business acumen, with high level proven conceptual, analytical, rick management, planning and problem solving skills.
Demonstrated familiarity with relevant legal and project-related documentation, including confidentiality agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, Term Sheets and Contracts.
Commercial experience in advising on, or negotiating and structuring relevant project agreements, including but not limited to joint venture agreements, offtake agreements, Engineering Procurement & Construction (EPC) and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contracts, lender facility and tripartite agreements.
Demonstrated project management capability, including an understanding of project management processes, drivers, related controls and scope management.
High levels of effective written and verbal communication skills with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and as a team leader, to support project delivery, as well as identify and respond to opportunities for business improvement and promote and maintain internal business processes.
Effective written and verbal communications and interpersonal skills, with an ability to interact with different stakeholders and people of diverse cultures.
Proven ability to deliver high-quality outcomes within committed timeframes.
The position is offered as a permanent, full-time contract based in either Ekistica’s office in the beautiful Desert Knowledge Precinct in Alice Springs, or in our newly established Hobart office (with semi-regular travel to Alice Springs).
Ekistica offers 5 weeks annual leave each year, flexible working arrangements, an annual professional development allowance and legislated superannuation in addition to base salary, annual CPI adjustments to base salary, and a bonus structure that includes both an annual performance bonus of up to 5% of salary (exclusive of legislated superannuation contribution, which is additional), and a share of the Employee Profit Share Pool. which when made, is distributed annually to staff proportionate to their base salary and length of employment with Ekistica.
Your annual performance bonus will be assessed against the following key metrics:
Excellence in provision of commercial expertise and advice.
Thorough and robust project management.
Collaboration and support of other members of the Ekistica team.
Demonstrated engagement with the vision and values of Ekistica.
Continuous focus on maintaining a culture of safety within the organisation.
A relocation allowance is offered for new interstate employees, with additional government support may also available.
Application instructions:
If you are a dynamic individual, invested in your professional development, with a demonstrated interest in working with our clients to bring renewable energy developments to life, please provide a cover letter outlining how your experience and capabilities match to those outlined in this brief, and what you believe you can bring to the company, along with a copy of your CV - addressed to the General Manager Operations at *****@ekistica.com.au, using the subject line: Commercial Advisor – Energy.
