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Thermal Energy Director (HFO & Renewable Operations)

Location: Madagascar
Department: Energy - HFO Division
Contract Type: [Permanent / Fixed-Term]

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Thermal Energy Director to lead operations across a portfolio of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and hybrid power plants in Madagascar.

This senior leadership role combines strategic oversight, operational management, and technical expertise to ensure the reliable performance of critical power generation assets. Operating in African energy markets requires the ability to navigate logistical, infrastructure, and supply chain challenges while maintaining high operational standards.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, oversee plant performance, and support the integration of renewable energy solutions into existing thermal power operations.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

Lead and develop operational teams across multiple power plants

Ensure high levels of plant availability, reliability, and safety

Resolve technical and operational challenges

Strategy and Performance

Define and implement operational strategy for the division

Drive performance improvements and operational efficiency

Oversee supply chain coordination and fuel management

Project and Process Management

Lead plant optimisation and improvement projects

Implement and maintain operational and safety procedures

Support integration of renewable assets, particularly solar

Budget and Financial Oversight

Contribute to annual budget planning

Monitor CAPEX and OPEX performance

Identify cost optimisation opportunities

Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborate with internal teams and senior leadership

Manage relationships with suppliers, partners, and contractors

Ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements

What You Bring

Experience and Technical Expertise

Engineering degree in energy, electrical, thermal, or related discipline

Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior operational leadership role

Proven experience managing HFO power plants

Experience in renewable energy operations, particularly solar

Understanding of hybrid energy systems

Experience working in African or emerging energy markets

Professional proficiency in French and English

Leadership Skills

Strong organisational and leadership capabilities

High level of autonomy and accountability

Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Ability to lead diverse and multicultural teams

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to lead a critical energy operation in Madagascar, managing key thermal assets while supporting the integration of renewable energy. The role offers strategic influence, operational responsibility, and the chance to contribute to the development of resilient power infrastructure in African energy markets.

ewi is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. ewi is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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Technical Director - Thermal - Madagascar

Location: Madagascar, Eastern Africa
Position Type: Permanent (Expatriate)

The Opportunity

This role offers a unique leadership opportunity to shape and strengthen critical power infrastructure in Madagascar while playing a central role in the country's evolving energy landscape.

As Technical Director - Thermal, you will lead the operational and technical performance of a portfolio of thermal generation assets, ensuring reliable electricity supply in a grid environment where stability and availability of power are vital to economic development. Your leadership will directly contribute to improving energy access, supporting key industries, and strengthening national infrastructure.

You will join one of Madagascar's leading private power producers, a company that has established itself as a market leader in renewable energy solutions with a strong focus on solar generation. Alongside its established operations, the organisation is actively expanding its footprint, with new energy projects currently under development across multiple sub-Saharan African markets and Europe.

This position offers the opportunity to operate at the intersection of technical leadership, strategy, and high-level stakeholder engagement, working closely with government authorities, national utilities, and international partners.

The environment is dynamic and demanding, where grid instability and load-shedding challenges require both immediate operational responsiveness and long-term strategic thinking-often described internally as a "marathon run at sprint pace." For experienced power generation leaders who thrive in complex markets, the role offers both professional challenge and meaningful impact.

What You Will Be Responsible For

In this role, you will be entrusted with the technical and operational leadership of the company's thermal generation portfolio, ensuring plants operate safely, efficiently, and reliably.

Your responsibilities will include:

Providing strategic leadership and technical oversight across thermal generation assets.Ensuring high performance, reliability, and operational efficiency of plant operations.Leading and developing plant managers and engineering teams, building strong operational capability across the organisation.Acting as a key technical interface with government stakeholders, utilities, regulators, and industry partners.Managing relationships with contractors, EPC partners, suppliers, and service providers.Navigating a complex political and regulatory environment, ensuring smooth collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders.Overseeing operational risk, plant reliability, and asset performance, particularly within a grid system affected by load shedding and supply constraints.Supporting plant upgrades, optimisation initiatives, and future generation projects.Contributing to budget planning, cost optimisation, and financial performance of operations.Ensuring compliance with international standards for health, safety, environmental performance, and operational excellence.Strengthening performance monitoring, reporting frameworks, and operational governance across the plant portfolio.

What the Company Is Looking For

To succeed in this role, candidates will bring a combination of technical expertise, leadership capability, and the ability to manage complex stakeholder environments.

Key requirements include:

Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.Fluent or advanced French language skills, essential for local stakeholder engagement.10+ years of experience in power generation, with significant exposure to thermal power plant operations.Strong background in plant operations, O&M leadership, asset management, or EPC project environments.Demonstrated ability to manage multi-site assets and technical teams.Experience managing stakeholder relationships in emerging or developing markets.Ability to operate effectively in politically sensitive environments requiring diplomacy and influence.International or expatriate experience, ideally within Africa or comparable markets.Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and decision-making capabilities.

Package and Contract

Permanent expatriate positionCompetitive international salary packageResidential expatriate status with relocation support

Why This Role

This position offers the opportunity to lead critical power generation infrastructure in one of Africa's most dynamic and challenging energy markets. It is ideally suited for a senior power generation professional seeking both leadership responsibility and tangible impact, contributing to energy reliability while supporting the long-term development of Madagascar's power sector

ewi is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. ewi is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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