Research Associate – Energy Access at World Resources Institute (WRI)

Job Highlight:

You will work closely with the Africa Lead – Energy Access and counterpart Research Associate(s) to support the execution of programmes and projects - including undertaking research and developing compelling knowledge products under the Energy for Development (E4D) work, while at the same time, leading the implementation of the sub-national Integrated Energy Planning work. You will also have a hands-on role in project coordination & management, support some of the E4D project partners, as well as help with communication and fundraising.  You will be supported by the WRI Africa team, including the wider energy programme, and in particular the energy access team. You will work closely with the counterpart Research Associate for Energy Access portfolio.

You will report to the Energy Access Lead for WRI Africa.

What you will do:

Energy Access Research & Analysis (60%):

• Support research and analysis on priority topics under the Energy for Development (E4D) work, including powering agriculture as well as health across East Africa
• Support data collection, aggregation, and analysis on opportunities for accelerated investment in Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) sector, particularly in the Productive use (agriculture and livelihoods), and health sectors
• Support the development of inclusive and integrated energy plans at the sub-national level in selected countries.
• Facilitate consultations with key stakeholders including utilities, Commercial & Industrial (C&I) actors, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), as well as energy entrepreneurs/investors to conduct analysis on optimal pathway for delivery of clean energy
• Support documentation of key lessons emerging from ongoing initiatives being implemented by the energy access portfolio, productive use of energy work, as well as sub-national level work on integrated energy planning
• Contribute to the identification and nurturing of opportunities for cross-programmatic collaboration in driving research on complex, strategic nexus topics (Food Loss & Waste, Cities, Climate, Water etc.)
• Co-develop training materials and other knowledge products (e.g., reports, issue briefs, working papers, and technical notes) on energy access.

Project & Partnership Management (25%):

• You will act as the internal project coordinator, keeping WRI teams posted on the progress and any required support
• You will contribute to the achievement of the ambitions, outcomes, and target impacts of the energy access programme, as well as contribute to the analysis and review of metrics, results, and outcomes from project activities
• You will provide support in monitoring project deliverables, including helping to set and clarify priorities
• Document emerging lessons from different partnerships, with the aim of further improvement of delivery of energy access interventions, as well as for general sharing of knowledge with the wider community
• Promote knowledge sharing among project partners and countries
• Support the development of quarterly, annual and end of project reports, as well as the annual global energy programme and WRI Africa reports.

Communications and Fundraising (15%):

• You will work with the Energy Access Communications and Engagement Coordinator, WRI Africa staff and global communications staff to contribute to sustenance of a compelling and consistent message from our work as a key strategy for impact
• You will develop/co-develop communication products, including blogs and blog graphics (also referred to as insights), commentaries, op-eds and articles on energy access
• You will work closely with the Africa Lead – Energy access, as well as the development team to develop funding proposals with the goal of contributing to the growing WRI Africa Energy Program.

What you will need:

• Education: You have a completed Master's degree in energy economics, sustainable energy, public policy, energy systems, or a related field
• Experience: You have 3+ years of relevant, full-time professional experience, including research and analytics experience in the energy field, with a focus on African country contexts
• Experience with analytical methods
• Experience in energy planning or at the nexus of energy and development, with a track record of working with energy sector stakeholders in East Africa, including government (national and sub-national levels), academia, private sector or CSOs
• Knowledge and understanding of the opportunities and challenges of clean energy technologies and systems and of energy access policy
• Experience in conducting and publishing research on energy access matters in Africa, with a compelling narrative based on quantitative and qualitative data, tailored for the appropriate audience
• Experience writing concise, well-structured documents (in both report and presentation formats)
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams
• Experience working with international organizations
• Languages: Verbal and written proficiency in English
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization.