Associate, Clean Energy Access

~ Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program's (CLASP) mission is to improve the energy and environmental performance of the appliances & equipment we use every day, accelerating our transition to a more sustainable world. ~

We serve as the leading international voice and resource for appliance energy efficiency policies and market acceleration initiatives. From advancing the off-grid solar technologies, bringing power to energy-impoverished people, to cutting the catastrophic climate impacts of air conditioning, CLASP programs increase uptake of affordable, low-impact, high-quality appliances. Learn more about our programs.

We’re mission-driven, impacts-focused, and committed to a culture of diversity, transparency, and collaboration. See our Team Page to learn more about our organization.

Position Overview 

Associate, Clean Energy Access:

CLASP is seeking experienced and motivated professionals with an interest and/or background in energy access, international development, policy, and/or engineering to help us execute our portfolio of clean energy access initiatives.

Central among these is an ambitious new research and innovation program known as Low-Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA), which focuses on accelerating off- and weak-grid markets for highly efficient appliances. LEIA is funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development will support a suite of high-impact market development, technical, policy, research, and innovation interventions.

Importantly, LEIA will support a variety of existing energy access programs, including but not limited to:

• The Efficiency for Access (E4A) Coalition: Initially a year-long awareness-raising campaign by Global LEAP, the E4A Coalition is being extended and expanded to function as the coordinating framework and knowledge hub for LEIA as well as efforts by affiliated partner organizations. The E4A Coalition is being envisioned as a partnership of like-motivated development and donor institutions collaborating on policy, market, and research activities and interventions, as well as a coordinating, convening, and knowledge-sharing platform for non-donor stakeholders and partners.
• The Lighting Global Quality Assurance Framework: This is a highly effective third-party certification and market development program for off-grid lighting products, including solar lanterns and solar home system kits.
• The Global LEAP Off-Grid Appliance Data Platform: This program is a rather straightforward but high-impact effort to test off-grid appliances according to international laboratory best practices, aggregate and share the data, and work with global stakeholders, including investors, policymakers, manufacturers, and purchasers, to interpret and use the data.
• The Global LEAP Awards & Off-Grid Appliance Procurement Incentives Program: This program couples the Global LEAP Outstanding Off-Grid Appliance Awards with results-based financing procurement incentives to drive best-in-class appliances into emerging off-grid markets. The program also features a variety of other market development activities, such as policy technical assistance and market research, and a robust monitoring and evaluation framework. The program launched in 2016 in Bangladesh, and it is expanding to East Africa in Autumn 2017.

The Associates will work as part of a dynamic international team to contribute to the success of LEIA and related initiatives. They will work collaboratively with CLASP team members in the United States, Bangladesh, East Africa, India, and Europe, as well as a wide network of international partners and program stakeholders. They will create, measure, and report LEIA/E4A programmatic impacts, and will be responsible for a wide and diverse range of activities related to the development and execution of programmatic, organizational, and energy access goals.

The ideal candidates will be able to demonstrate skill and success in some or all of the following areas: knowledge about appliance energy efficiency, enabling technologies, and product markets and supply chains as related to energy access; excellent people skills; effective project management, execution and/or administration; coordination of productive and collegial institutional partnerships; experience developing effective published resources and materials; effective verbal and written communications about technical topics to both subject matter experts and laypeople; extraordinary commitment to impacts, results, and world-class work product; and a sense of humor.

Note: Box checkers need not apply. Creative, open-minded, innovative self-starters welcome.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve program infrastructure: Collaborate with global team members on the scoping, design, and execution of a complex, fast-moving project portfolio.
• Coordinate! Collaborate! Repeat! Work with CLASP colleagues, partners, stakeholders, sub-contractors, and grantees around the world to develop and implement programs, projects, and research efforts. Track and monitor programmatic activities and outcomes, intervening wherever necessary to ensure the highest quality and highest impact work. Communicate across interest groups to align and optimize efforts.
• Establish lasting, productive relationships: Build and coordinate support among key constituents, including industry leaders, academic institutions, trade associations, government decision makers, and donor organizations. 
• Turn ideas into impact: Take LEIA-, E4A-, and partner-generated knowledge products, resources, and tools, and inspire and facilitate impact-oriented follow-on activity and market/program/policy action.
• Keep the big picture in mind: Conduct and roll out programmatic work within the larger context of partner, sectoral, and CLASP efforts.

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years of experience in business development and/or program administration; experience in the off-grid clean energy sector or analogous sectors preferred
• Deep familiarity with off-grid, rural, or emerging market product distribution and/or supply chains is highly preferred
• Experience working within and collaborating across international, matrixed program teams
• Deep knowledge of energy access and related issues required
• Direct experience in partnership/coalition/network framework coordination strongly preferred
• Entrepreneurial approach to design and execution of long-term initiatives, and proactive, nimble, and strategic approach to problem-solving
• Experience communicating for a climate, energy, or technology sector audience preferred
• Ability to translate complex technical information to industry, policy, and investor audience required
• Highly persuasive and effective communication skills, both verbal and written
• Exceptional written and spoken English a must
• An ability to establish, build, and continually reinforce confidence in a variety of internal and external stakeholder groups and constituencies will be essential to success
• Experience working with energy-consuming products, test methods, government standards, and procurement programs preferred
• Time management and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple tasks at once
• A strong work ethic is a must
• Experience overseeing the work of subcontractors strongly preferred
• Ability to work from the big picture to the small details
• Ability to maintain composure, flexibility, and a sense of humor under tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal, listening, and critical thinking skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word and Excel
• Bachelor's degree required; Graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., engineering, international relations, development, economics, environmental science) preferred

Compensation and Location

The compensation package at CLASP is highly-competitive with international NGOs based in the United States. In addition to salary, the package includes health insurance, unlimited leave, holidays, and a retirement plan. Additionally, CLASP is committed to team members having a work-life balance through its flexible work policy. This position is full-time and based in Washington, DC. Phone calls and/or Skype calls at odd hours should be expected. Frequent global travel will be required.

To Apply

• CEA Recruiting is assisting CLASP with this search. To be considered for this position, interested candidates must click "Apply on Company Website" below and follow the link below to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements through CEA’s job portal.
• Please direct all applications and inquiries to CEA Recruiting.
• This position will remain open until filled.

CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit our website. 

~ CLASP is an equal opportunity employer ~