Manager- Project Planning

About this role

Role Purpose: Lead project planning and scheduling for utility scale solar EPC projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ensure accurate project baselines, resource allocation, and timeline adherence across engineering, procurement, and construction phases. Provide strategic planning support to senior management and ensure compliance with donor and client reporting requirements. Key Responsibilities • Project Scheduling & Control: Develop, monitor, and update detailed project schedules using Primavera P6/MS Project. Ensure alignment with EPC milestones and contractual obligations. • Resource Planning: Forecast manpower, equipment, and material requirements. Coordinate with procurement and site teams to ensure timely availability. • Baseline & Progress Tracking: Establish project baselines, track progress, and report deviations. Implement corrective actions to maintain schedule integrity. • Stakeholder Reporting: Prepare weekly/monthly dashboards for senior management, clients, and donors. Highlight risks, delays, and mitigation strategies. • Risk Management: Identify schedule risks, conduct scenario analysis, and propose contingency plans. • Cross Functional Coordination: Work closely with engineering, procurement, construction, and HSE teams to ensure integrated project planning. • Audit & Compliance: Maintain documentation for donor/regulatory audits. Ensure planning processes comply with international EPC standards. • Continuous Improvement: Introduce best practices in project planning, digital tools, and reporting templates. Mentor junior planners and site engineers. Key Deliverables (12 Months) • Accurate project baselines established for all EPC projects. • Zero major audit findings in planning documentation. • On time delivery of EPC milestones with proactive risk mitigation. • Standardized dashboards and MIS reporting across portfolio. • Improved resource utilization and cost efficiency. Education • B.E./B.Tech in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, or Renewable Energy Engineering. • MBA/PG in Project Management or Energy Management preferred. Experience • 13–16 years of professional experience in project planning and scheduling. • Minimum 8–10 years in EPC renewable/solar projects; prior exposure to large scale utility projects essential. • Proven track record in Primavera P6/MS Project, resource planning, and donor reporting. • Africa experience (DRC, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa) highly valued. Certifications • PMP (Project Management Professional) or PRINCE2 preferred. • Primavera P6/MS Project certification mandatory or highly desirable. • Additional certifications in EPC project controls, risk management, or renewable energy planning advantageous. Skills & Competencies • Technical: Project scheduling, resource planning, risk analysis, EPC documentation. • Management: Stakeholder reporting, cross functional coordination, budgeting. • Soft Skills: Leadership, clear communication, problem solving, cultural adaptability.

Key Responsibilities

• Detailed Project Schedules
• Project Baseline Establishment
• Stakeholder Progress Reports
• Resource Allocation Plans
• Schedule Risk Management

Requirements

Must have

• 13–17 years of experience