Put your skills to work for a great purpose. Join our team of energy experts and play a pivotal role in shaping South Africa’s regulatory frameworks for power market development and advancing renewable energy resources. Your experience with electricity market regulation will be instrumental in supporting the national regulator’s role in the ongoing market reform that will support and accelerate a green transition in South Africa.

In August this year, Denmark and South Africa commence the 4th phase of a long-standing government-to-government energy partnership programme (the South Africa – Denmark Energy Partnership Programme, SADEPP).

The objective of the partnership is to support South Africa’s green transition through knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer technical and regulatory support. The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) is seeking a Long-Term Adviser (LTA), to be stationed at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) in Pretoria, South Africa. The LTA will be an essential part of the partnership, working closely with colleagues across NERSA, the Danish Embassy in Pretoria, and the DEA programme team in Copenhagen.

About the Job We are seeking a candidate with solid experience and expertise within electricity sector regulation. You will be stationed at NERSA and work as an advisor to experts in the Electricity Regulation Division, enhancing choice awareness based on Danish and European regulatory experience and modalities. You will work closely and coordinate activities with the Danish Energy Agency, the Danish Utility Regulator and the Embassy of Denmark in South Africa, and you may be involved in activities with other South African governmental and public entities such as the Department of Electricity and Energy, the utility company, Eskom, and the Independent Power Producers Office.

South Africa’s electricity sector is undergoing a historic transformation, transitioning from coal fired generation to increasing shares of renewable energy generation, and from a vertically integrated utility model to a liberalised electricity sector with increasing private participation. The adoption of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act (ERAA) marks a decisive shift away from a vertically integrated electricity system towards a more open, competitive and market-based sector, paving the way for more renewables in the energy mix. The reform introduces new market arrangements, new institutional roles, and significantly expands the responsibilities of the energy regulator.

Thus, NERSA plays a key role in this transformation, and the role of the LTA, together with the DEA programme team, will be to support NERSA in developing the capabilities, tools and systems required to steer the reforms and regulate a liberalised market.

You will support NERSA in navigating the regulatory and institutional implications of this electricity market reform. The exact role will be adapted to your professional background and strengths; however, core responsibilities may include:

• Providing analytical and advisory support related to electricity-market reform;
• Supporting NERSA’s approaches to and processes for engagement with external stakeholders, as well as internal coordination;
• Contributing, in an advisory capacity, to development, review and implementation of regulatory instruments;
• Support of compliance, enforcement and market-oversight functions;
• Facilitating involvement of relevant experts from Danish energy sector for targeted capacity building.

All in all, we offer:

• Unique Opportunity: Working as part of Denmark’s global energy cooperation, in a unique position within a key institution in the South African energy sector and the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the electricity market reform in South Africa.
• Diverse Responsibilities: A wide range of tasks, including project management and coordination with South African and Danish partners and institutions.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for professional growth and development in a dynamic and international environment.
• Cross-cultural collaboration: Work in a sector with an interesting complexity and support the cooperation between leading South African energy institutions and Danish experts and authorities.
• Impact: Contribute to ensuring a fair and efficient market reform in a regional super power with potential spill-over effects to other countries in the region.

You will be physically placed at the offices of NERSA in Pretoria and your closest colleagues will be local employees and management from NERSA. You will be in regular contact with The Danish Embassy in South Africa and DEA colleagues, who will also be supporting you online and through regular missions to South Africa.

One additional LTA will be recruited to operate at the South African Department of Electricity and Energy with a focus on the market reform from a more policy-oriented perspective. Close collaboration with this LTA may be expected.

About You We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced professional with:

• Master’s degree (or higher) in economics, law, public administration, engineering, energy systems or a related field. Candidates with other degrees may also be considered, subject to a solid and relevant experience on regulatory affairs.
• Substantial experience in electricity sector regulation, market design or economic regulation.
• Strong understanding of European/Danish electricity market and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience working with policy or regulatory processes, either in an advisory capacity or through hands on roles within regulatory authorities, ministries, system operators or similar institutions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Strong intercultural awareness and ability to work in complex institutional environments
• Proven skills and abilities to engage and inspire key stakeholders through an inclusive approach, while also keeping an eye on cross-institutional aspects.

Experience contributing to the development or implementation of new regulatory instruments, market reforms or evolving regulatory models is highly valued.
The position has a duration of 3 years.

Application Deadline: 20 September, 2026, at 23:59 CEST.

For more information, please visit:
- Staff regulations for long-term advisors https://um.dk/om-os/stillinger/raadgiverstillinger-finansieret-af-danida/danida-raadgivere/

Or contact advisor Bue Keller Tidemann via +4533926736 or brt@ens.dk.

We welcome applicants of all genders, ages, abilities, and backgrounds, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.