Policy Manager, Kenya at CLASP

Position Summary

• The Africa Policy Manager will develop and manage CLASP’s policy portfolio in Africa. They will lead engagement with African policymakers in support of both CLASP’s Climate and Clean Energy Access portfolios. For the Climate program, the manager will support appliance energy efficiency programs across the region, including national programs in South Africa and Nigeria, and a regional program under the Clean Lighting Coalition, with the goal of delivering significant energy savings and carbon emissions reductions. For the Clean Energy Access program, they will lead on government engagement and management of consultants supporting the adoption of quality standards for distributed renewable energy technologies and also engage with government stakeholders to integrate efficient solar-powered appliances into national policies and actions that improve access to energy.  The Africa Policy Manager will be responsible for overseeing, executing, and contributing to activities under this portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and develop strategic partnerships with stakeholders in Africa, including government agencies, funding institutions, program partners, appliance manufacturers and distributors, local and international NGOs and companies, etc. Broaden these partnerships to include stakeholders beyond traditional energy sectors, such as representatives from the agriculture, health, education, and finance sectors, to create multidisciplinary alliances that can influence and support energy access policies.
• Represent CLASP in external fora, including regional events, national consultations, discussions with policymakers and other stakeholders in various countries, developing and strengthening external relationships across stakeholders.
• Design and implement ambitious energy efficiency programs in line with CLASP’s strategic goals, drawing from global best practices, and addressing national and regional needs.
• Develop proposals and support fundraising activities.
• Lead a team of CLASP staff and local contractors, managing the day-to-day workflow and program implementation, including quality control and technical leadership on projects where required.
• Establish monitoring and evaluation frameworks, in partnership with the Impact Manager, to assess the effectiveness of policy initiatives and programs, providing feedback loops for continuous improvement and evidence-based advocacy.
• Contribute to thought leadership by developing policy briefs, position papers, and case studies that articulate the benefits of energy-efficient appliances as is related to CLASP climate and energy access goals.
• Develop and manage capacity-building programs for local policymakers, industry players, and other stakeholders to enhance their understanding of energy efficiency’s role in energy access and climate change mitigation.

The Ideal Candidate

• A track record of achievement in energy efficiency and access programs, including international experience. 7+ years of overall professional experience in energy or environmental policy, with experience on appliance energy efficiency a plus.
• Bachelors’ degree in a relevant field (e.g. engineering, international relations, environmental science and policy, economics, energy studies) required. Masters’ degree preferred.
• Strong analytical skills, including experience with Excel and/or other analytical software and the ability to translate analysis into policy recommendations is highly preferred.
• Significant experience managing relationships with clients and/or funders, and experience with managing staff, contractors, and consultants.
• Strong technical expertise and project management experience. You have a strong understanding of energy efficiency technologies and policies. You have a demonstrated track record of managing projects and budget and delivering to project goals.
• Ability to handle multiple deadlines and complete assignments with minimal supervision in a fast-paced workplace.
• Impeccable organization: you are highly detail-oriented, and someone who gets a real sense of satisfaction from producing polished work and managing smooth and orderly processes.
• Persuasive communication skills, both verbal and written; excellent written and spoken English a must and fluency in French preferred.
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion. You’re always asking: “whose voice is not at the table?” You have experience working with diverse teams and successfully navigating cross-cultural communication in both local and global contexts, and you deeply value creating a workplace that is supportive of difference.
• Experience writing for and communicating to a donor audience and coordinating projects with subject matter experts and teams on reporting or fundraising.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an orientation toward working in a collaborative environment; ability to maintain composure, flexibility, and a sense of humor under tight deadlines.
• Candidates with experience in the energy efficiency or clean energy access sector strongly preferred; those with experience in international development broadly, renewable energy, and/or sustainable development may also be considered.