Electricity Tariffs and Economic Regulation Expert

- October 2026 High-level Overview Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.

The client is seeking an Electricity Tariffs and Economic Regulation Expert to strengthen the technical and commercial foundations for independent, transparent, and predictable electricity tariff-setting in Lesotho. The 12-month assignment will support a government, utility, and regulator partnership to validate the cost-of-service work, advance financial viability, protect affordability, and build lasting tariff-setting capability.

The ideal candidate is an electricity-tariff and economic-regulation specialist with a demonstrable record of cost-of-service validation, multi-year tariff methodologies, editable tariff models, affordability mechanisms, and practical knowledge transfer with utilities and regulators.

Role & Responsibilities Role:- Electricity Tariffs and Economic Regulation Expert

Reports to:- Department of Energy Contract Manager

Direct reports:- N/A

Candidates required:- 1

Deliverables

• Review and validate the utility cost-of-service study, including methodology, assumptions, data, model, revenue requirement, cost-recovery gap, and the pathway to full cost recovery.
• Develop an approval-ready multi-year tariff methodology, editable tariff model and user guide, including treatment of inflation, exchange rates, eligible contracted power costs, tariff structures, and affordability mechanisms.
• Develop a phased cost-recovery implementation roadmap linked to utility performance, including lifeline tariffs, cross-subsidies, targeted subsidies, eligibility, funding, and administration.
• Deliver practical capacity-building sessions and editable tool handover for utility and regulatory staff on cost-of-service, tariff methodology, tariff structures, annual adjustments, and affordability mechanisms.
• Support the first tariff determination or an end-to-end simulation, provide decision and consultation materials, and complete a final handover of reports, models, templates, and manuals

Requirements Experience Required

• Master’s degree in economics, energy economics, finance, business administration, electrical engineering, or another relevant quantitative discipline.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in electricity tariff setting, economic regulation, utility financial analysis, or closely related assignments.
• Demonstrated experience preparing, reviewing, or validating at least two electricity cost-of-service studies, including revenue requirements, cost allocation, efficiency adjustments, and cost-recovery gaps.
• Demonstrated experience developing or reviewing electricity tariff methodologies and editable tariff models, including at least one multi-year tariff methodology or determination

Technical Requirements

• Experience designing tariff structures that balance utility cost recovery and consumer affordability, including lifeline tariffs, cross-subsidies, or targeted-subsidy mechanisms.
• Practical experience with regulatory treatment of contracted power costs and tariff adjustments for inflation, exchange-rate movements, and other uncontrollable costs.
• Experience supporting at least one tariff application, regulatory determination, or end-to-end tariff simulation, working with electricity regulators and utilities.
• Ability to develop practical training materials and transfer tariff-modelling and economic-regulation skills to utility and regulatory staff.

Language Requirements English — professional fluency required for technical reporting and stakeholder engagement; any additional language requirements pending formal RFQ.

Soft Skills

• Sound technical judgment that respects the distinct statutory mandates and independence of public institutions.
• Structured stakeholder coordination across policy, utility, regulatory, and implementation counterparts.
• Clear communication, pragmatic problem-solving, and disciplined knowledge transfer

Additional Information About Desired Profiles An electricity-tariff and economic-regulation practitioner with deep hands-on experience converting cost-of-service findings into transparent, implementable multi-year tariff arrangements. Experience in Lesotho, Southern Africa, or another sub-Saharan African electricity market is advantageous.

WORKING ARRANGEMENT Location:- Maseru, Lesotho

Working model:- TBC

Travel requirements:- TBC

TERMS OF AGREEMENT Required start date:- 16 November 2026

Contracting period:- 12 months from contract signature

Capacity allocation:- Deliverable-based assignment; level of effort to be proposed

Contracting exceptions / special requirements:- Submit separate technical and financial proposals in PDF, with the financial proposal also provided separately in Excel. Proposals must include the required work samples, references, conflict disclosure, and supporting materials.