Global Lead, Energy Access and Equitable Development - Nairobi - World Resources Institute Europe

Description

This is a hybrid position that requires 8 days/month in a WRI office.

You can be based in our office in Mexico City, Bogota, Bangalore, Delhi, London, The Hague, Nairobi, Addis Ababa or Jakarta.

Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission since WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About The Program

The WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition delivers pragmatic, scalable and urgently needed solutions to achieve a clean, abundant, affordable and reliable energy future for all.

Harnessing WRI's renowned analytical power, convening ability and global expertise, the WRI Polsky Energy Center works with governments, utilities, companies, financial institutions and civil society to find bold solutions to the barriers that stand in the way of the energy transition, including modernizing and expanding grids, unlocking power sector investment, and building a future-ready workforce.

We support the global commitment to accelerate renewable energy, deliver energy storage solutions and increase energy efficiency, while continuing to transition from fossil fuels.

The WRI Polsky Energy Center Takes a Unique, Three-part Approach That Combines WRI's Renowned Experts, a World-class Advisory Group, And Collaboration With Partners To

Generate evidence-based analyses on barriers and solutions through rigorous research from around the world.
Orchestrate the change by engaging influential actors, banks, companies, utilities, governments and civil society to co-create and implement solutions.

Leverage WRI's reach including the Institute's presence in a dozen of the world's most influential economies and its global expertise and capabilities across programs.

Job Highlight

You will integrate equity into your work.

The WRI Polsky Energy Center's approach includes designing and facilitating clean energy interventions that expand energy access and catalyze equitable socio-economic development in key geographies around the world.

To improve people's lives around the world, we need to ensure access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy for those who need it the most.

WRI collaborates with national and subnational policymakers, technical experts, service delivery organizations, financial institutions, development institutions and businesses to extend access to modern clean energy across unserved and underserved areas, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

Our Energy Access Explorer (EAE) platform allows energy planners, investors and clean energy entrepreneurs to identify areas with the greatest need and opportunity to expand access to energy.

Our work also focuses on building better lives and livelihoods through the productive use of renewable energy in social and economic sectors, including healthcare and agriculture, working with hospitals and clinics as well as local farmers in Africa and Asia to ensure clean, affordable and reliable energy that powers vital services and productivity, while promoting healthier lives and greater prosperity.

Building On The EAE And Other WRI Tools And Partnerships, The Global Lead For Energy Access And Equitable Development Will Lead Efforts To

Design innovative ways to link electrification with socio-economic development objectives and outcomes.
Integrate the transformation of rural energy systems into ongoing national and subnational energy transition efforts.
Ensure inclusion of the marginalized including women in energy sector opportunities and benefits; and
Promote equity in the emerging global energy workforce and entrepreneurship development.

You will be the strategy lead for a diverse, talented, international team distributed across multiple countries.

You will work closely with WRI offices and partner organizations in sub-Saharan Africa, India, China, Europe, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States.

You will build and maintain key funder relationships and lead fundraising efforts for cross-cutting activities under the Energy Access and Equitable Development Pillar.

This position has as a central goal to link the efforts of multiple country activities and support cross-program impact and learning.

You will be supported by senior researchers worldwide and the WRI Polsky Energy Centre leadership.

You will report to the Global Director of the WRI Polsky Energy Centre and work closely with in-country Energy Directors and the Global Impact Director.

This position requires up to 30% travel.

What Will You Do

Energy Access and Equitable Development Team Leadership and Delivery (40%):

Ensure WRI's Energy Access and Equitable Development team is achieving outcomes and a positive change in the world by setting clear goals, developing robust strategies, and building a coherent and highly motivated team to achieve results

Within this strategy, work with country leads and with research, data and strategic communications colleagues to design robust and comprehensive approaches that ensure the program delivers high-quality research and impactful communications and outreach.

Create opportunities for collaborative research, impact and learning across geographies
Ensure the pillar has robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning approaches in place and delivers timely reports to donors and partners
Supervise and support pillar staff to ensure they feel inspired, challenged, and appreciated. Inspire, motivate, and problem-solve to ensure effective program management. Inform strategic hiring in country offices to support pillar activities
Connect global partners with local actions and bring local expertise and contexts to global audiences. Help coordinate interventions, programming, and impact messaging across the network of WRI focus countries delivering energy access and equitable development outcomes

Align, integrate, and find synergies across existing global, country, and human system transition programs and activities, and work with country leads and the Global Impact Director to develop a future pipeline of larger, longer-term projects to achieve the goals of the pillar and the WRI Polsky Energy Center.

Oversee robust financial management of the pillar aligned to WRI standards and ensure that project finances are managed and within budget according to donor procedures


Fundraising (30%):
Develop and steward the Energy Access and Equitable Development pillar fundraising targets, strategy, pipeline, donor engagement, and intelligence sharing around opportunities for funding and partnership
Coordinate with country managers who lead pillar activities in WRI countries to improve alignment and mutual interests in advancing globally relevant, locally resonant work areas
Lead and coordinate joint bids within WRI and with external partners leading to successful 7 figure investments
Lead and coordinate the pursuit of flexible funding support to support global and country work
Work closely with country team members, the WRI Polsky Energy Center's Director of Global Impact, and the Director for Research and Data to expand funding for programming, communications and data visualization
Collaborate with WRI's Global and Country Development teams to ensure strong donor relations and expand WRI's ability to engage high net-worth individuals


Stakeholder and Partnership Engagement (30%):
Prioritize across a diverse network of relevant public and private sector actors for selected high priority global strategic partnerships
Maintain a strong personal and institutional partnership network and invest in knowledge sharing and energy community support with local and international partners
Collaborate closely with the communications team, the Director of Global Impact, and other pillar leads to increase awareness of actions, learnings and build acceptance of energy access and equitable development efforts
Develop global thought leadership from WRI and with global partners on issues of energy access and equitable development

What Will You Need

Education:
You have completed a Masters' Degree in a related field (e.g., energy, policy, international development, climate-related subjects). Relevant work experience is accepted in lieu of a degree

Experience:
You have a minimum of 10 years of relevant full-time professional experience related to with at least 5 years of direct-line management experience
A deep understanding of equity in energy development, access, and clean energy transition issues.

Fluent understanding of energy development, technology, and investment issues across Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, the US, and Latin America and regional differences across these markets.

A successful track record managing large grants and multiple activities and keeping teams on track to deliver impacts.
Experience leading global teams and empowering team members to achieve results.

Demonstrated thought leadership on energy transition and access from a user perspective, and experience communicating complex topics to technical and non-technical audiences.

Ability to negotiate and develop complex, strategic partnerships to advance the energy transition.
Prior international development project management experience
Experience working on energy issues across a range of market types, with priority for candidates with experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia markets
Leadership experience in fast-paced, multicultural environments
Existing network of contacts in government, business, research institutes, NGOs on energy, climate, and development topics in developing and emerging markets
Demonstrated experience managing, fundraising for, and overseeing a budget of a minimum of $5M

Potential Salary:
UK: 85K – 106K GBP; NL: 94K – 87K EUR; India: INR 50L- 62L. If located in another country office, salary will be determined by local market conditions. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply:
Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of 22 Dec 2025. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of qualified applications.

We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter in addition to your resume.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What We Offer

Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US

The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.

A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
Generous leave days that increase with tenure
Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution
A comprehensive Employee Assistance Program

About Us

World Resources Institute works to improve people's lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate.

As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyse change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities.

Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Our Mission And Values

WRI's mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership and Care.

Our Culture

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications
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