Kenya: Program Director

Sep 5, 2020 | 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. They are 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, and 2) Research and Advocacy. On Innovative Finance, they have developed a financing instrument known as the Peace Renewable Energy Credit (P- REC), which is initially being rolled out in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. On Research and Advocacy, they co-lead the Powering Peace Initiative, a research and policy initiative in partnership with the Stimson Center, a Washington D.C.-based think tank. Powering Peace focuses on the nexus of energy and conflict, and opportunities for renewable energy transitions in UN field operations. Previous research has focused on South Sudan and DRC, with upcoming research projects slated in Mali, Somalia, and the Central African Republic.

EPP ise seeking to hire a new Nairobi-based team member to serve as the EPP regional representative in sub-Saharan Africa, with a view to establishing a fully staffed EPP field office in the near future. This will be a full-time position.

Key duties will include:

Innovative Finance (P-REC)

  • Conduct and/or oversee technical verification of commissioned Peace Renewable Energy Credit (P-REC) projects the region, including system generation capacity and social co-benefits. Initial P- REC projects are likely to be in the DRC and South Sudan;
  • Undertake regional business development activities in order to catalyze, build, and expand the P-REC market, including raising awareness and promoting the P-REC as a new financing instrument that promotes renewable energy development in EPP’s target countries;
  • Liaise with key stakeholders, including renewable energy developers, financing entities (i.e., investors, donors, funders, IFIs, DFIs), relevant representatives in ministries of environment and energy, UN and humanitarian actors, industrial associations (e.g. the African Minigrid Developers Association), and potential P-REC buyers;
  • Coordinate and/or assist with the monitoring and evaluation of P-REC projects;
  • Track regional trends in renewable energy investment and development.

Research & Advocacy

  • Forge relationships with key stakeholders, including UN staff in peace and/or humanitarian field operations responsible for energy-related decisions;
  • Compile and maintain a list 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.

Organizational support:

  • Establish EPP’s presence in Nairobi, including opening an office and associated registration procedures;
  • Serve as a key member of EPP’s management team, contributing to EPP’s development and growth in the region;
  • Contribute to fundraising efforts, including liaising with donors that support climate change, peacebuilding and/or renewable energy initiatives;
  • Develop partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including NGOs, international agencies, renewable energy project developers, and funders;
  • Oversee the potential expansion of this office, and the establishment of a team based in the region.

Minimum requirements

  • At least ten years of professional experience, including in the renewable energy sector (development and/or finance), and/or international development (including peacebuiliding or conflict resolution);
  • Experience, and a demonstrated interest in, working on conflict-affected settings, and knowledge of the political contexts in EPP’s target countries;
  • Ability to travel is required, including to P-REC target countries;
  • Excellent communication, research, and writing skills.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

  • Work experience in the following sectors is helpful but not required:
    • Humanitarian and/or UN;
    • Renewable energy;
    • Peace and security, or international development, including in fragile states;
  • Strong existing networks in our target sectors, with excellent networking and partnership- building skills and experience;
  • Working level proficiency in French.

This position carries a competitive salary and benefits package.

To apply

Please submit a CV, cover letter, three references, and a writing sample by September 25th to info@energypeacepartners.com. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.