Careers at Sun King (Formerly Greenlight Planet)

About the role:

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to support the VP for Public Policy & Government Relations. This role will play a critical part in advancing our engagement on energy access, electrification, and broader economic development policy across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The ideal candidate will have interest in energy policy, trade and industrialization policy, and economic development, with the ability to conduct rapid and rigorous research and present insights in compelling ways.

What you will be expected to do

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to support policy review, advocacy, and strategy development.
• Collect, clean, and analyze large datasets (household surveys, energy access data, trade and investment data, etc.) to generate insights.
• Apply geospatial analysis and GIS tools to assess market opportunities, customer distribution, infrastructure gaps, and policy impacts.
• Develop clear, concise briefs, reports, presentations, and visualizations to communicate findings to senior Management, policymakers, and external stakeholders.
• Track global and regional policy developments in energy, trade, industrialization, and sustainable development, providing timely updates and recommendations.
• Support preparation for high-level meetings with governments, MDBs/DFIs, and development partners through background research and talking points.
• Contribute to the development of evidence-based policy positions and thought leadership pieces.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams (data, operations, communications) to integrate insights into strategy and delivery.

You might be a strong candidate if you have/are

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, public policy, development studies, or related field.
• 2–4 years’ experience in research, policy analysis, consulting, or related role.
• Strong foundation in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Stata, R, Python, or equivalent).
• Experience with GIS platforms (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS) and spatial analysis.
• Strong skills in data visualization and presentation (Tableau, PowerBI, or equivalent).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor outputs for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated interest in energy access, renewable energy, and/or economic development policy.

Desired Attributes

• World-class research expertise in socioeconomic fields, with demonstrated experience in household survey design, sampling methods, and econometric modeling.
• Experience working in or with emerging markets, especially Africa .
• Familiarity with global energy access debates, trade and industrialization strategies and policies, and development finance.
• Ability to translate complex findings into actionable policy recommendations.
• Highly motivated, proactive, and adaptable, with appetite for learning in a fast-moving environment.
• Curious, able to absorb complex information quickly and translate it into actionable insights.
• Hands-on and collaborative, willing to take on both strategic and detailed tasks with equal commitment.
• Strong work ethic, resilience, and comfort with ambiguity.
• Humble, team-oriented, and eager to contribute wherever needed.
• Fluency in English is mandatory, French or Portugese would be an added advantage.

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About the role:

We are seeking a Regional Public Policy specialist to spearhead our government engagement across East & Southern Africa. This is a hands-on role at the intersection of public policy and business operations, building strong relationships with public sector offices and decision makers to ensure our markets are supported by enabling policies and operations.
The ideal candidate will bring 7–10 years of relevant experience in government relations, trade and industrial policy, or regulatory affairs. They should have strong familiarity with regional trade frameworks such as the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and AfCFTA.

What you will be expected to do

• Manage government and policy engagement across East & Southern Africa, building strong relationships with ministries, regulators, customs, and local authorities.
• Advocate for policies that enable trade facilitation, tax/tariff reforms, and local manufacturing/assembly.
• Monitor and analyze regional policy developments (energy, trade, fiscal, and industrial policy), providing early intelligence to support the business.
• Support operations and sales teams by resolving regulatory and administrative barriers.
• Represent the company in government consultations, industry dialogues, and regional trade forums (EAC, SADC, AfCFTA).
• Develop and execute country-level policy engagement strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Draft policy briefs, position papers, and talking points for senior management.

You might be a strong candidate if you have/are

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, public policy, law, international relations, or related field.
• 7–10 years’ experience in government relations, policy advocacy, or trade/investment policy.
• Familiarity with AfCFTA, EAC, and SADC frameworks is very key.
• Proven experience advocating for trade or fiscal incentives (e.g., tax exemptions, customs facilitation, pioneer status).
• Strong track record of engaging with senior policymakers and regulators in ESA.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and diplomacy skills.
• Ability to travel extensively within the region (around 50%).Fluency in English required; Portuguese and/or French is a an added advantage.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of renewable energy or consumer goods sectors.
• Familiarity with customs systems and industrial policy in ESA countries.
• Established networks with public officials in the region (including the the energy and finance ministries, as well as customs, revenue, and other relevant regulatory/oversight authorities).
• Political and cultural awareness across diverse ESA contexts.