Manager, Screening and Evaluation, SDTC NextGen Biofuels Fund

Sustainable Development Technology Canada is conducting a search for a Manager, Screening and Evaluation, (S&E) NextGen Biofuels Fund. In support of this search, this career profile provides an overview of the company and the position’s: scope, required competencies and preferred experience and education.

About SDTC

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is a not-for-profit foundation that was created by the Government of Canada as part of its commitment to create a healthy environment and a high quality of life for all Canadians. SDTC’s mandate is aimed at the development and demonstration of innovative technologies that deliver environmental and economic benefits. To achieve this mandate, SDTC works with the private sector, the financial sector, academia, non-governmental organizations and with all three levels of government.

SDTC operates two funds totaling over $1 billion aimed at the development and demonstration of innovative technological solutions. The $550 million SD Tech Fund™ supports projects that address climate change, air quality, clean water, and clean soil. The $500 million NextGen Biofuels Fund™ supports the establishment of first-of-kind large demonstration-scale facilities for the production of next-generation renewable fuels.

Purpose

Reporting to the Vice President, Project Finance, the Manager, Screening and Evaluation is responsible for assessing the eligibility, validity, feasibility and performance criteria for all applications to the NextGen Biofuels Fund throughout due diligence and all phases of the Project Assurance Plan (PAP). Analytical and highly knowledgeable to technology platforms and market realities pertaining to biofuels, the Manager, Screening and Evaluation will work closely with applicants and key stakeholders.

Location

Canada (specific location to be determined.)

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Funding Process

• Participate in preliminary assessment of Applications for Funding, namely addressing key issues such as technology fundamentals, process economics, scale-up and integration;
• Participate in initial and subsequent project due diligence work throughout the PAP;
• Review and comment on project schedules, allocation of resources and costs for each project throughout the PAP.
• Recognize the project’s key success indicators and ensure the project requirements and objectives are correctly defined, understood and properly translated into appropriate outcomes;
• Provide advice and guidance to potential applicants with regard to technology and process development aspects;
• Work with applicants, external experts and key stakeholders to evaluate technology and process performance and options and thereby integrate selection criteria with technology performance assessments;
• Prepare evaluation outcomes and participate in presentations for input to management, review committee, and Board, as required;
• Provide expertise with respect to: technologies; processes; the companies applying for funding; and related reporting for due diligence and project assessment;
• Debrief stakeholders regarding funding approvals/rejections.

Funded Projects

• Monitor project execution according to evaluation framework performance parameters pertaining to execution, cost, operations, profitability, sustainability, environment, socio-economic benefits, etc.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to the project managers to support the ongoing success of the approved projects;
• Liaise with the project’s sponsors, external experts and key stakeholders on key issues, and act as a resource for potential partnership linkages;
• Evaluate, confirm and report on all applicable professional, technological, regulatory standards and guidelines applicable to the work.

Strategy

• Provide advice to the VP, Project Finance on technology and process issues;
• Act as resident “expert” on biofuel related technology/industry issues;
• Act as a consultant and advisor to internal and external stakeholders, involving other technical support, as required;
• Review and comment on environmental impact studies and sustainable development plans;
• Provide input to portfolio strategies, as applicable.

Networking

• Monitor and analyze biofuels industry in order to identify leading next generation biofuels companies and technologies;
• Develop and maintain network of contacts in assigned technical and industrial sector(s);
• Support NextGen Biofuels outreach activities – attendance at events, presentation of papers, etc., as required to build awareness and support the Fund.

Individual Development

• Maintain current technical expertise related to biofuels technology platforms, processes and relative positioning of leading companies and key industry players.

Scope

There will be a varying number of complex, NextGen Biofuels projects in the portfolio. This position liaises and provides support to all functions of the NextGen team including other managers and senior management on technical issues relating to potential and approved projects, and where applicable, to the SDTech Fund.

Travel

Travel will be expected to visit the potential and existing applicants and project sites. It will vary and is estimated at approximately 25%.

Skills and Knowledge Required

Education

• Masters degree in Sciences, Engineering or equivalent knowledge development in biofuels and related sectors.

Experience

• 7-12 progressive years in technology screening and evaluation processes, providing guidance and dealing with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Recent background in Biofuels; in addition, exposure to related sector(s) – ethanol, biodiesel, chemical processes, pulp and paper.
• Worked within a sophisticated industrial project development environment.
• Extensive experience working on small internal teams and working with, negotiating and developing multiple stakeholder partnerships.
• Acted in a lead engineering role during the development of a full scale plant.

Skills

• Demonstrates, confidently displays, and proactively investigates and develops biofuel industry technical knowledge and a relevant network; possesses the ability to anticipate and accurately sense long-term industry trends and challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to understand both the proponent and business realities in working with proponents in industrial start-ups as well as in large corporate projects.
• Consults widely for technical advice, information and facts and can quickly differentiate the critical from the irrelevant; articulates key points persuasively.
• Systematic approach to work; realistic about time-scales and builds in appropriate checkpoints, milestones and controls.
• Effective oral and written communication skills to communicate with technical and non-technical audiences; understands when and how to be detail oriented.
• Personal focus and rigor on achieving agreed upon outcomes and key objectives.
• Proactive, self-discipline and proven ability to assume ownership and work well under time pressures.
• Adaptive interpersonal abilities with an awareness to predict others’ reactions, attitudes and needs; knows how to balance personal, team, and client goals.
• The ability to communicate in French is preferred.

Sustainable Development Technology Canada is an equal opportunity employer, welcomes diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send their resumes by email to Gail Lagowski, Human Resources, at g.lagowski@sdtc.ca.

We thank you for your interest in Sustainable Development Technology Canada.