Regional Lead - Sub-Saharan Africa
JOB OVERVIEW
Are you a dynamic leader with diverse skillsets who has multi-stakeholder program management and an entrepreneurial drive? Empowered by Light is seeking a Regional Lead - Sub-Saharan Africa to help us implement, strengthen and expand our work supporting indigenous communities in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa! If you are a self-starter, are passionate about environmental justice, and have experience developing and managing nonprofit and/or economic development programs, we’d love to meet you.
ABOUT US
Empowered by Light is a United States 501(c)3 nonprofit organization transforming life through renewable energy systems. We have completed more than 130 projects in 10 countries helping improve lives while enabling communities to leapfrog or displace fossil fuels. Our projects help school-age children study longer and better, help rangers and conservationists protect critically-endangered species and help disadvantaged communities become more resilient and sustainable.
JOB DETAILS
- Job Type: Contractor position with a deliverables-focused contract expected to require approximately 80 hours per month on average with potential to expand to 160 hours per month on average (with commensurate increase in pay).
- Workplace Policy: Remote (no formal office space/use required). Contractor has autonomy over how and when work is performed provided deliverables are met.
- Location: Lusaka, Zambia or Nairobi, Kenya preferred but not required.
- Travel: Approximately 25% depending on your location.
- Compensation: Contract rates are benchmarked against local market standards for independent consultants/contractors. The final rate offered will be based on the contractor’s primary location, level of experience, specialized expertise, and complexity of the deliverables.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years experience in nonprofit, economic development and/or aid program management, renewable energy, or a related field.
- College Degree (Associates or Bachelors) or significant work experience.
- Demonstrated experience implementing aid or economic development programs and developing community partnerships.
- High level of cultural sensitivity.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- English speaking.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Familiarity with Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides).
- Some solar technical knowledge preferred but not required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Background in renewable energy (technology, policy, or personal interest).
RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Management
- Help manage and expand Empowered by Light’s Sub-Saharan Africa program.
- With support from local and HQ staff, build and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, local governments, local partners and local NGOs
- Help identify, assess and ensure the sustainability of high-impact projects that maximize benefits for a community while making efficient use of organizational resources.
- Generate and implement ideas for systems, programs, and operational improvement.
- Oversee and contribute to all aspects of local project implementation including ensuring long-term project sustainability.
- Fill gaps: support team members on administrative and organizational tasks as needed.
Renewable Tech Deployment
- Coordinate site surveys by solar installers and help identify, assess and prioritize projects in the region.
- Coordinate logistics and serve as liaison between local communities and solar installers.
- Coordinate and oversee site inspections and quality control.
Stakeholder Engagement & Management
- Coordinate and facilitate site visits by HQ staff and donors.
- With support from local and HQ staff, build and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, local governments, local partners and local NGOs..
Training & Capacity Building
- With support from Empowered by Light HQ staff, help develop and organize workshops and community trainings for renewable energy system maintenance and operations.
- Integrate local labor and workforce development partners into project activities where applicable.
Reporting & Compliance
- With support from Empowered by Light HQ staff, track deployments, user agreements, usage metrics.
- Provide administrative data entry and maintenance of projects, contacts, and more.
- Provide monthly reports and quarterly evaluations in line with grant or other requirements.
DELIVERABLES
- Significant expansion of existing network of local partner organizations.
- Defined plan for securing and reporting impact metrics from all projects in the region installed by EBL to date.
- Development of impact strategy for the Sub-Saharan region across 3-4 countries.
- Research and development of potential income-generating initiatives for communities to improve sustainability.
- Collection of media collateral across all projects/regions (e.g., photos, testimonials, etc.)
ATTRIBUTES
- Excited to support a small, nimble, and impactful organization.
- Adaptable. You can pivot and problem-solve under pressure.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills. You’re patient and respectful while assisting people of all skill levels and comfortable working with diverse groups of people.
- Ask questions to clarify tasks and priorities. You feel comfortable saying, “I don’t know” or “I need help with this.”
- Self-starter. You are able to work independently and remotely without needing handholding.
- Proactive. You don’t need to be nudged to do your work, and you take the initiative.
- On board with advancing renewable energy technology, decarbonizing our planet, and working towards a just, equitable energy transition. You share our values.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please send your resume with a cover letter and references to moira@empoweredbylight.org..
No one candidate will fit all the requirements, so everyone who fits at least some of the skills and has a willingness to learn is encouraged to apply.
Empowered by Light is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by local laws.
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