SAPVIA Technical Specialist

Job title: Technical Specialist

  • Location: Johannesburg, South Africa (Hybrid)
  • Department: Technical & Policy
  • Reports to: Technical & Policy Manager

About Us

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) is the voice of the solar PV sector in South Africa, representing members across the Solar PV value chain. We are dedicated to driving the growth of the country’s solar PV industry and accelerating South Africa’s transition to a sustainable, secure renewable energy future.

Position Overview

We are looking for a goal-oriented, self-motivated, and renewable energy Technical Specialist to join the SAPVIA Secretariat. You will provide technical expertise on ongoing SAPVIA initiatives and develop new ones with the aim to provide excellent value-add to the SAPVIA membership base and broader stakeholders.

The Technical specialist will be expected to lead and manage multiple initiatives, and draft and submit reports to management. They will ensure the association is up to date with relevant technical developments across renewable energy’s utility, residential, commercial, and industrial market segments, thereby driving sustainable growth within the organisation and the solar PV industry at large.

The ideal candidate possesses technical expertise in the renewable energy industry, specifically solar, an understanding of government regulations, policies, and strategies for energy in general and renewable energy specifically. They will oversee the creation of technical content, keep abreast of industry trends, and continuously review, refine, and update the value proposition for current and future members.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Initiative & Project Management
  • Manage current association initiatives (such as but not limited to: PV GreenCard, various studies, Municipal and Industrial activities).
  • Conceptualise and implement value-add initiatives for SAPVIA members to drive recruitment and retention.
  1. Technical Standards & Industry Research
  • Review and make recommendations on technical standards applicable to the rollout of Solar PV in the South African market.
  • Identify research gaps for SAPVIA and the broader industry, prioritising and conducting research aligned with organizational strategic objectives.
  • Support in raising funds to undertake required research initiatives.
  • Track technology advancements and trends to keep the association and members informed.
  1. Policy Advocacy & Content Creation
  • Provide technical support to relevant SAPVIA Working Groups.
  • Create relevant technical content for different member categories and the public in collaboration with Working Groups.
  • Lead the drafting of thought leadership pieces on policy and industry developments.
  • Develop industry opinions and position statements for policy advocacy and public consumption in consultation with the broader membership base.
  1. Administrative & Reporting
  • Prepare reports, presentations, memorandums, proposals, and correspondence for members and management.
  • Maintain a high degree of accuracy and meet changing deadlines with limited supervision.
  1. Job Requirements & Qualifications

5.1 Education

  • Education: Relevant Bachelor’s Degree (preferably in Engineering). A postgraduate qualification in a related field will be advantageous.
  • Certifications: Project Management certification or qualification is advantageous.

5.2 Experience

  • Professional Experience: more than 4 years of relevant working experience, in energy economics, or consulting ideally within the energy, renewables, or utility sector.
  • Demonstrated interest and working knowledge of the Renewable Energy Industry, solar PV, energy policy, or climate change.
  • Technical Knowledge: Understanding of South Africa grid codes, the interaction between solar PV, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and grid.

5.3 Skills & Competencies

  • Technical Skills:
    • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with data analysis or visualization tools.
    • Experience handling large datasets with strong numerical and analytical abilities.
    • Outstanding knowledge of MS Office and office management software.
  • Communication Skills:
    • Exceptional written and spoken English, with the ability to present technical or complex statistics in a clear, narrative-driven format.
    • Outstanding oral presentation and interpersonal abilities.
    • Proficiency in Afrikaans will be advantageous.
  • Soft Skills & Work Ethic:
    • Self-driven, autonomous self-starter with strong project management and organizational skills.
    • Detail-oriented, flexible, and capable of juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
    • Able to complete projects successfully with limited supervision.

What We Offer

  • An influential role at the core of South Africa’s renewable energy revolution, working directly with public and private sector energy leaders.
  • A collaborative, forward-thinking team environment committed to driving safety, skills development, and clean energy adoption.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a CV (maximum 3 pages) and a one-page motivation letter to info@sapvia.co.za by 22 September 2026.

Disclaimer: While we acknowledge the value of AI tools in the workplace, we want your cover letter to genuinely reflect your unique perspective and approach. For this reason, we kindly ask that you rely on your own authentic voice rather than AI generation for your application.