Kenya: Program Associate (Nairobi-based)

Apr 5, 2022 | Energy Peace Partners
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Energy Peace Partners (EPP) is a US-based organization built around the idea that climate solutions can support peace in places affected by violent conflict. EPP is a multi-disciplinary team of renewable energy, peacebuilding, and climate security experts dedicated to creating an enabling environment for new renewable energy projects that can serve as the building blocks for peace.

EPP works in two program areas:

  1. Innovative Finance: We have developed a financing instrument called the Peace Renewable Energy Credit (P-REC), which offers a new way to monetize renewable energy from high-impact projects in countries that face the triple challenge of conflict and fragility, climate vulnerability and energy poverty. To date, P-RECs have been issued from solar projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
  2.  Research and Advocacy: EPP co-leads the Powering Peace research and advocacy initiative in partnership with the Stimson Center, a Washington D.C.-based think tank. Powering Peace focuses on examining the nexus of energy and conflict and identifying opportunities for renewable energy transitions in UN field operations deployed in fragile states.

The Position

EPP is seeking to hire a Program Associate, with an initial focus on the P-REC program. The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, providing support to and working directly under, the supervision of the Program Director. The P-REC program is currently focused on projects in East and Central Africa, with likely expansion to West Africa.  This will be a part-time position (approximately 20 hours per week), with the potential to increase over time. 

The Person

EPP is looking for an individual with familiarity of the renewable energy sector in Africa and with an interest in international affairs, who possesses outstanding communication and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to utilize multiple IT platforms. The individual should be willing and able to work with stakeholders in different time zones, including the flexibility to participate in weekly virtual meetings with EPP colleagues based in California, USA (10-11 hours behind Nairobi depending on the time of year).

The ideal candidate will have strong attention to detail and the ability to communicate effectively and with confidence to a wide range of people.

Key duties will include:

Innovative Finance (P-REC): This primary focus of the Program Associate will be to support the Program Director in expanding the P-REC program. P-RECs are issued under the I-REC Standard, the dominant tracking system for environmental attribute certificates (EACs). The Program Associate will undertake the following tasks:

  • Coordinating the technical verification of commissioned Peace Renewable Energy Credit (P-REC) projects in the region, including system generation capacity and social co-benefits. These projects are initially anticipated to be in the DRC, South Sudan, Somalia, Chad, and Uganda.
  • Facilitating the I-REC application process, including a range of detailed administration checks of renewable energy projects, such as performing project due diligence, corporate due diligence (Know Your Customer), system verification, and monitoring metering evidence.
  • Reviewing technical P-REC qualification documentation, including coordinating and/or assisting with the monitoring and evaluation of P-REC projects.
  • Working with relevant software systems to add, oversee, and administer new and existing projects.
  • Responding to, and advising, current and potential partners on a range of email inquiries, including keeping stakeholders updated on timelines, questions, and diligence processes.
  • Assisting with the preparation and updating of country assessment reports for issuance authorization.
  • Adhering to data protection policies to ensure client confidentiality.
  • Tracking regional trends in renewable energy investment and development.
  • Working as part of a team to implement new operational processes and supporting other areas of work, as necessary.
  • Contributing to team meetings and organizational planning.
  • Supporting the set up and planning of external meetings.

Research & Advocacy: Additional support for EPP’s research and advocacy efforts, as needed

  • Forge relationships with key stakeholders, including UN staff in peace and/or humanitarian field operations responsible for energy-related decisions;
  • Compile and maintain a database of research consultants with energy, peacebuilding and/or political analysis backgrounds in our target countries in Africa;
  • Contribute to research and advocacy efforts, as needed.

Partnerships and Organizational support:

  • Provide support in developing partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including NGOs, international agencies, renewable energy project developers, and funders;
  • Undertake any training which may be vital to keep up to date with the requirements of the role.

Minimum Requirements

  • A Bachelor’s degree and at least four years of relevant professional experience.
  • Work experience in renewable energy (development and/or finance) is required. Additional work experience in the following sectors is also helpful:
  • Peace and security, or international development, including in fragile states;
  • Humanitarian, peacebuilding and/or UN;
  • Experience in carrying out project and corporate due diligence for renewable energy projects, is a plus.
  • Experience and/or demonstrated interest in fragile and conflict-affected settings and knowledge of the renewable energy and/or political landscape in EPP’s target countries.
  • Excellent communication, research, and writing skills, and strong attention to detail;
  • Strong existing networks in our target sectors, with excellent networking and partnership-building skills and experience;
  • Ability to travel is required, including to P-REC project target countries;
  • Working level proficiency in French is an added advantage.

To apply

Please submit a cover letter, and CV with three references by 30th April 2022 to info@energypeacepartners.com. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.