What is Grids of the Future (GotF)?

Modernizing power grids is the single most critical enabler of the clean-energy transition in the Global South. Across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, fragile and underinvested grids are struggling to meet surging demand from urbanization, industry, and power-hungry sectors like EVs and data centers—while hundreds of millions still lack reliable power. The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet is spearheading the creation of ‘Grids of the Future’: renewable-ready, digitized, interoperable, and resilient networks that leapfrog outdated systems to deliver affordable, clean energy. Anchored initially with Champion Utilities that serve hundreds of millions of people, Grids of the Future convenes governments, investors, philanthropies, and innovators into a single delivery platform. This platform accelerates reforms, mobilizes capital, and scales new technologies—positioning modern grids as the backbone of economic growth and decarbonization.

Through its Grids of the Future (GotF) initiative, the Global Energy Alliance is partnering with forward looking Champion Utilities in Latin America to modernize distribution networks, enable renewable integration, strengthen grid flexibility, and deploy storage and digitalization solutions. As a strategic anchor, Brazil is due to the scale and sophistication of its power sector, high renewable penetration, evolving regulatory framework, and strong utilities. The Brazil engagement will focus on grid modernization, distributed flexibility, digitalization, storage integration, and the development of an innovation challenge.

Role Summary

Leading the local Grids of the Future strategy, this Brazil-based Consultant will coordinate partnerships with Champion Utilities and government organizations, support the structuring of a grid modernization pilot, lead the design of an innovation challenge, and oversee the deployment of technical assistance, capacity building, and other activities necessary to achieve goals such as fundraising and co-financing efforts. The Consultant will report to the Country Delivery Lead, Brazil with matrixed reporting to the Global Delivery Lead, GotF alongside working in close coordination with internal teams including, Solutions, Strategic Communications.

Accountabilities

Utility Engagement and Pilot Development

• Act as the primary liaison with the selected Champion Utility.
• Support negotiation and operationalization of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Champion Utility.
• Define priority pilot geographies and develop a technical concept note covering digitalization, flexibility, and BESS integration.
• Coordinate workshops and training programs with utility teams.

Regulatory and Institutional Coordination

• Maintain working relationships with ANEEL, EPE, ONS, MME and relevant state actors.
• Assess regulatory frameworks affecting distributed energy resources, storage monetization, flexibility markets, and capacity mechanisms.
• Identify barriers and propose practical pathways for pilot implementation.

Innovation Challenge and Ecosystem Engagement

• Support the design and launch of an Innovation Challenge.
• Engage utilities, startups, technology providers, universities, and potential co funding partners.

Technical Advisory and Fundraising Support

• Provide advisory support on grid digitalization, distributed BESS use cases, value stacking, and flexibility strategies.
• Support DER integration and the application of digital twins’ technologies.
• Support preparation of funding proposals and donor materials.
• Represent GEAPP at key national and regional events.

Reporting and Documentation

• Provide monthly progress updates to the Global Solutions team and Champion Utility, as required.
• Support preparation of concept notes, technical briefs, and stakeholder mapping.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Systems, or Power Systems (Master’s preferred).
• 8–12 years of experience in Brazil’s power sector.
• Strong understanding of distribution utilities, renewable integration, energy storage, and ANEEL regulatory frameworks.
• Experience working with Brazilian utilities, regulators, system operators, or planning agencies, ideally on grid digitalization, innovation pilots, or climate finance initiatives.
• Proven project and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluency in Portuguese and English
• Advanced/ Fluency in Spanish is a plus

Contract Details

We are committed to transparent and equitable compensation practices and understand that providing a clear salary or fee range is essential for both full-time and contract roles.

• Compensation Context: For benchmarking purposes, the full-time equivalent salary for this scope of work would fall between $60,000 - 80,000 USD annually. This is shared only as a reference point for establishing a fair consulting rate.
• Final Consulting Fee Will Be Based On:
  • Location & Market Rates: Fees will be aligned with the consultant’s regional market norms.
  • Expertise & Portfolio: Depth of experience, subject-matter expertise, and ability to deliver strategic value.
  • Defined Scope & Hours: Final rate will reflect expected weekly hours or total project deliverables, agreed upon in the contract.
• Location: Fully remote. Consultant may be based in Brazil, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte or Brasília
• Travel Requirements: Travel within Brazil will be expected for necessary stakeholder meetings.
• Contract Term: Initial 12-month consulting agreement, with potential extension based on performance and organizational needs.

The Application Process

The application deadline for this role is Monday, May 12th. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to submit yours soon.