Senior Associate, Energy Access

United Nations Foundation (UNF) / Better World Fund (BWF)

Position Overview

The Senior Associate, Energy Access will provide analytical and programmatic support to the UN Foundation's work on energy access within the broader context of the UN Secretary-General's new "Sustainable Energy for All" Initiative which focuses on global energy access, energy efficiency and renewable energy objectives.

Reporting Relationships/Scope: The Senior Associate reports to the Senior Director, Energy Access.

Responsibilities:

• The Senior Associate will work closely under the guidance of the Senior Director in managing the day to day activities and operational objectives of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative and the 2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy for All and its related events schedule.
• They will also provide the day to day management of the UN Foundation-led Practitioner Network for Energy Access and its constituent working groups, including developing the program strategy and advocacy aspects of the network as well as coordinating the working group meeting process and ensuring achievement of the relevant deliverables.
• Under the overall direction of the Senior Director, facilitate the organization of a range of international and domestic events in support of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative and in particular the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.
• Undertake speaking engagements, events and functions as requested.
• Track in detail key areas related to global energy access, and make recommendations for the UN Foundation to advance the work of this aspect of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative.
• Prepare issue and meeting briefs, progress and other needed technical reports for both external and internal purposes.
• Prepare analyses with recommendations, and attend key meetings to represent the Foundation's point of view.
• Foster relationships and conduct outreach to potential partners and support departmental funding and communications activities.
• Supervise interns and provide coordination function for other staff supporting the Practitioner network and its working groups.
• Draft internal memos for the Executive Office.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• Relevant Master's Degree such as an MBA preferred.
• 3 or more years of experience in the renewable energy sector, preferably with a finance/investment/management/consulting background, related to developing countries contexts.
  Experience in rural electrification/ decentralized or mini-grid energy solutions preferred, combined with broader international renewable energy sector technology and project/policy familiarity. Experience with both social enterprises/social investment and commercial investment in clean energy sector desirable.
• Experience in working in developing markets, preferably ‘in country'.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with people from a wide variety of both domestic and international organizations and cultures.
• Experience with public speaking.
• Familiarity with working with senior level executives within the business, government and/or civil society sectors.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite to include Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills,
• Must be diplomatic with a good sense of humor.
• Self-starter with ability to work independently as well as member of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple, competing priorities in a fast paced environment.
• Foreign language skills a plus (particularly French or Spanish). 

To Apply:

Please apply on-line.

All applicants must submit a cover letter - please save upload your resume and cover letter as one document - either .pdf or .doc.

Please contact Nick Bacon by email with any questions.

UNF/BWF is an AA/EEO employer.
People of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.