Myanmar: Renewable Energy Fellow

Aug 2, 2016 | Pact
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Pact enables systemic solutions that allow poor and marginalized people to earn a dignified living, be healthy, and take part in the benefits that nature provides. Pact accomplishes this by strengthening local capacity, forging effective governance systems, and transforming markets into a force for development.

Project Overview

Background

Pact is one of the leading non-profits operating in Myanmar. Pact’s Myanmar office was established in 1997, primarily as a microfinance provider. Today, Pact’s integrated development programs (strengthening community governance, access to finance, livelihoods, health, nutrition, women’s economic empowerment, and renewable energy) provide direct support to approximately 2 million individuals in 3,500 villages in 35 townships. Pact’s microfinance portfolio has 800,000 active clients and $150m in assets. In total, Pact currently reaches 5 million people in 81 townships and 11,000 villages.

Pact Myanmar’s Focus on Renewable Energy

In 2015, Pact created a revolving fund to provide financial access to communities purchasing solar home systems, with support from three private donors. This “Ahlin Yaung (Light) Fund” builds on the governance and financial structures that Pact has helped establish in thousands of communities. In June 2016, Pact Myanmar conducted a renewable energy (RE) strategic planning exercise, analyzing Pact’s RE programs to date, and interviewing key stakeholders. During a two-day workshop, Pact leadership refined its RE strategic framework and began developing an action plan. The RE Vision is: “Rural communities achieve their development priorities and improve quality of life through reliable, affordable, sustainable energy services.”

RE Objectives:

  • Increase Access to RE Solutions and Services: Connect the private sector to rural villages, bringing the off-grid energy market to communities and focusing on productive loads where appropriate.
  • Maximize Financial Inclusion for RE: Improve access to finance so communities can afford sustainable energy solutions.
  • Build Capacity of the RE Private Sector: Attract investment and provide business training to support energy entrepreneurs serving rural communities.
  • Influence and Advocate for Pro-Poor Energy Solutions: Serve as a convening agent and thought leader, sharing research results to inform government policies and programs.

Position Purpose

Pact Myanmar seeks a RE Fellow to assist advancing the country office’s work to expand rural access to RE. We are seeking a dynamic mid-career corporate professional or MBA/academic.

  • The Fellowship will be a minimum of 9 months, with the possibility of extending.
  • Pact Myanmar will cover in-country travel costs.
  • Fellow should have own health and emergency medical insurance.

Key Responsibilities

The Fellow will work with Pact Myanmar’s leadership team to consolidate and expand Pact Myanmar’s role as a substantive actor in the area of rural renewable energy access.

Scope of Work

Serve as focal point for RE strategy workplan:

  • Arrange and attend meetings, events, prepare briefings, etc.
  • Coordinate input from Pact staff to workplan tasks
  • Track workplan implementation progress

Partnerships:

  • Identify potential strategic partners – with private sector, local civil society organizations, international organizations, and donor agencies – and outline potential scope for collaboration
  • Work with Pact staff to develop relationships

Opportunity Development:

  • Support meetings with potential donors
  • Identify funding opportunities/awards
  • Contribute to proposal writing
  • Review and update Pact Myanmar social enterprise business plan

Advocacy:

  • Assist Pact Myanmar establish an RE Access Development Partners Working Group
  • Draft RE section for country office advocacy plan

Knowledge Management:

  • Track RE publications/articles and developments
  • Track national/regional/global events and recommend strategic opportunities

Other:

  • Provide support and technical input to Pact’s ongoing RE projects as requested
  • Coordinate the Myanmar country office input to Pact’s global Natural Resource Management strategy

Deliverables

  • Updated social enterprise business plan
  • Draft RE advocacy section for country office advocacy plan
  • RE Access Development Partners Working Group established

Basic Requirements

Qualifications

  • Graduate degree in relevant field (MBA, RE, natural resource management, etc.) or mid-career professional with experience in promoting access for RE in developing settings.
  • Experience writing and managing funding proposals; superior writing skills.
  • Experience developing or managing a social enterprise highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop productive partnerships. Fluency speaking and writing in English; some knowledge of Myanmar/Burmese is desirable.

Submit an expression of interest not longer than two pages and a CV to mmcdermott@pactworld.org by August 3rd. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.