Jobs 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.

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Job Highlight:

In this role, you will lead the analysis of national, regional, and global policies, strategies, and programmes to understand the challenges and opportunities for unlocking investment in the clean energy space. You will analyze investment funds from Development Finance Institutions as well as impact investors. You will lead in identifying mechanisms for unlocking commercial funds, including from local financial institutions. You will investigate different models used to finance investment in productive use sectors, particularly in the agriculture and livelihood sectors, as well as the health sector. The goal is to understand successful models that could be replicated to unlock both public and private funding at scale. You will also collaborate with WRI Africa’s energy team and partner organizations to develop scalable models aimed at attracting investment in the productive use sector, as well as increase end-user finance.

You will closely work with different teams across WRI sisterhood, including WRI China, WRI India, the Global Energy Program team, as well as members of the institute's finance center. You will report to the Energy Access Lead for WRI Africa.

What you will do:

Finance (70%):

• You will lead in research and analysis on energy finance topics, particularly aimed at unlocking public and private investment in the clean energy and access space
• You will undertake an in-depth review of financial data and investment portfolios from Local Financial Institutions (LFIs), Development Financing Institutions (DFIs), as well as global and regional (Sub-Saharan Africa) energy-focused funds
• You will support the collection and aggregation of data on opportunities for investment in Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) sector, including Productive Use opportunities, and social services (in health)
• You will lead in the development of innovative business and finance models for the successful deployment of DRE interventions, particularly in the productive use space
• You will work with and build capacity of LFI (CBs) to establish investment portfolios for renewable energy to accelerate investments in energy access and net-zero ambitions
• You will organize convening and engagements with targeted key stakeholders in the energy access and finance space 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
• Integrate inputs from stakeholders to contribute to our research products and engagement strategies
• You will facilitate consultations with key stakeholders
• You will serve as WRI Africa’s finance analytics expert
• Provide ad hoc and ongoing support and recommendations to evolving collaborations between energy access and transition pillars, finance center, as well as with other International Offices (IOs), particularly with WRI China and India teams.

Communications and Fundraising (30%):

• You will work with the Africa Lead – Energy Access, WRI Africa staff and global communications staff to contribute to the sustenance of a compelling and consistent message from our work as a key strategy for impact
• Develop and co-develop blogs, training materials and other knowledge products (e.g., reports, issue briefs, working papers, and technical notes) on sustainable finance
• You will contribute to analysis and review metrics, results, and outcomes from project activities
• You will contribute to development of funding proposals to expand the growing WRI Africa energy programme.

What you will need:

• Education: You will have a completed Master's degree, either in energy economics and finance, public policy, or a related field
• Experience: You have 5+ years of relevant full-time professional experience, including research and analytics experience in the energy field, and with a focus on African country contexts
• Experience working in energy markets, with a track record of working with energy sector stakeholders in Africa
• Experience in conducting and publishing research on energy finance in Africa
• Demonstrated expertise in structuring and prioritizing a complex, multiple-faceted research work program
• Experience in engaging with government, academia and CSOs involved in energy research in Africa
• Knowledge of solar energy technologies/systems and financing instruments, energy policy, and energy finance challenges and opportunities
• Experience working with international organizations
• Languages: You have 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.

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Job Highlight:

You will support the financial, operations, and administrative processes for the P4G initiative within WRI at an important transition time for the innovative initiative. Your daily work will include updating budgets, reporting to donors, processing contract agreements, ensuring head grant compliance, collaborating with P4G staff on projects, and guiding staff through internal processes and systems. You will be supported by a dynamic and diverse team as well as various operations staff members across WRI globally. You will report to the Operations Manager for the P4G initiative.

This position will be a hybrid model of remote and in-office.

What you will do:

Budgeting and Financial Management (25% time)

• Support the P4G Operations Manager on day-to-day project finances, keeping budgets up to date in WRI’s financial software
• Develop monthly updates on budgets to Project Directors and Managers to alert them of funding targets and other financial matters
• Support delivery of projects against 5-year output-based budget
• Supporting P4G’s financial reporting and financial audits
• Provide input on behalf of P4G into WRI quarterly budget reviews
• Facilitate the development of P4G’s annual budgets linked to its workplan and result framework
• Contribute to the long-term financial strategy of P4G, including the development of new proposal budgets and financial growth strategies.

Donor and Grants Management (25% time)

• Collaborate with P4G team to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of funding awards and communicating with donors as needed
• Oversee the creation and submission of financial reports to donors.

Subgrants and Contracts (25% time)

• Process and maintain subgrant and contract agreements with partners, including administering payments, and amending agreements
• Support the P4G Operations Manager and grants management team in monitoring sub-awardee compliance with administrative grant requirements, including the submission of reports and audits.

Operations and Administration (25% time)

• Support the P4G Operations Manager to ensure the submission of progress and financial reports as well as compliance with internal budgeting, contract, and procurement processes and deadlines
• Assist in resolving operational issues and mitigating operational risks
• Coordinate with team and HR on recruitment of new personnel and support onboarding of new staff and consultants
• Provide support coordinating internal and external events, workshops, and conferences
• Review and make recommendations on internal systems to support and improve efficiencies.

What you will need:

Education: 

• You have a completed bachelor’s degree in a relevant study area

Experience:

• You have 1+ years’ full-time relevant work experience
• You have experience in project or organizational operations, finance, compliance, donor reporting, scheduling or bookkeeping, or as an executive assistant for a non-profit organization
• Experience using Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience running virtual meetings using Zoom or Teams
• Experience working with a geographically dispersed team
• Languages: You have verbal and written proficiency in English
• Requirements: You have existing work authorization if you intend to be based in Kenya.