Global Lead, Clean Energy Supply, The WRI Polsky Energy Center

Please note this search is being led by Arthan CareersThis is a hybrid position that requires 8 days/month in a WRI Office. Location: WRI India Offices, London, The Hague, Addis, Nairobi, Jakarta, Mexico City or Bogota. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. About the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition The WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition delivers pragmatic, scalable and urgently needed solutions to achieve a clean, abundant, affordable and reliable energy future. Harnessing WRI’s renowned analytical power, convening ability and global expertise, The WRI Polsky Energy Center works with governments, utilities, companies, financial institutions and civil society to find bold solutions to the barriers that stand in the way of the energy transition, including modernizing and expanding grids, unlocking power sector investment, and building a future-ready workforce. We support the global commitment to accelerate renewable energy, deliver energy storage solutions and increase energy efficiency, while continuing to transition from fossil fuels. The WRI Polsky Energy Center takes a unique, three-part approach that combines WRI’s renowned experts, a world-class Advisory Group, and collaboration with partners to:

• Generate evidence-based analyses on barriers and solutions through rigorous research from around the world.
• Orchestrate the change by engaging influential actors, banks, companies, utilities, governments and civil society to co-create and implement solutions.
• Leverage WRI’s reach including the Institute’s presence in a dozen of the world’s most influential economies and its global expertise and capabilities across programs. About WRI: World Resources Institute works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyse change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations. Our mission and values: WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect. Our culture: WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. Job Highlight: The WRI Polsky Energy Center’s pragmatic approach to expanding the supply of clean energy is grounded in building out work that will help build lines of work in areas that include expanding partnerships and engagement in: transmission and distribution infrastructure, distributed energy and storage, finance and investment for power sector upgrades, navigating community engagement and siting decision-making, and looking at power sector markets and energy technologies and services. Leadership and Team - You will be the strategy lead for a diverse, talented, international team distributed across multiple countries. You will work closely with WRI offices and partner organizations in Africa, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States. You will build and maintain key funder relationships and lead fundraising efforts for cross-cutting activities under the Clean Energy Supply Pillar. This position requires strong collaboration skills, initiative leadership, and experience working in a matrixed organization.You will be part of the Leadership team for The WRI Polsky Center, coordinating with the Director of Global Impact to ensure that the Clean Energy Supply pillar strategy aligns with WRI’s country strategies and the activities of WRI's other programs and centers. You will be supported by senior researchers worldwide and The WRI Polsky Energy Center leadership. You will report directly to the Global Director Energy Strategy, and work closely with the Global Director for The WRI Polsky Energy Center, as well as with in-country Energy Directors and Global Impact Director. This position requires up to 30% travel. What will you do: Energy Supply Leadership and Delivery (40%)
  • Relentlessly pursue clean energy supply pillar goals and outcomes based on the existing and future priorities defined in The WRI Polsky Energy Center strategy.
  • Build programming that delivers on a unique strength of WRI: national country delivery on energy center that supports multi-country and global energy transition
  • Align and coordinate global colleagues to ensure coherence and a highly motivated, empowered team.
  • Connect country research, data, and strategic communications to deliver a strong, unique voice of WRI on supply-side energy transition progress, challenges, innovations and market dynamics.
  • With the PMEL manager support and strengthen the monitoring, evaluation, and learning culture to track progress on goals and deliver timely reports to donors and stakeholders.
  • Inspire, motivate, and problem-solve to ensure effective program management and a high functioning, high trust team.
  • Oversee robust financial management of the pillar aligned to WRI standards and ensure that project finances are managed and within budget according to donor procedures. Fundraising (30%)
    • Develop and steward the supply pillar fundraising strategy, pipeline, and intelligence sharing around opportunities for funding and partnership.
    • Coordinate with country managers who lead pillar activities in WRI countries to improve alignment and mutual interests in advancing globally relevant, locally resonant work areas.
    • Pursue opportunities for joint bids within WRI and with external partners leading to successful 7 figure investments.
    • Pursue flexible funding support to support global and country work
    • Work closely with country team members and the Director of Global Impact and the Polsky Energy Center’s Director for Research and Data to expand funding for programming, communications and data visualization.
    • Collaborate with WRI's Development team to ensure strong donor relations and expand WRI’s ability to engage high net-worth individuals. Stakeholder and Partnership Engagement (30%)
      • Prioritize across a diverse network of relevant public and private sector actors for a few global strategic partnerships on clean energy supply
      • Maintain a strong personal and institutional partnership network and invest in knowledge sharing and energy community support with local and international partners.
      • Model excellent and effective communications and outreach with partners and stakeholders.
      • Collaborate closely with the communications team, the Director of Global Impact, and other pillar leads to increase awareness of actions, learnings and build acceptance of clean energy transitions. What will you need:
        • Education : You have a completed Masters’ Degree in a related field (e.g., energy, policy, international development, climate-related subjects)
        • A deep understanding of the energy sector, especially the electric utility sector.
        • A track record of managing and building multi-cultural teams and empowering team members to achieve results.
        • A successful track record managing large grants and keeping teams on track to deliver impacts.
        • Understanding of energy markets and clean energy transitions across Asia, Europe, the US, Latin America, and Africa and the regional differences across these markets.
        • Experience or research on grids, evolving power market rules, and DRE and energy solutions like solar+storage, green hydrogen, batteries, and virtual power plants.
        • Experience communicating complex topics to technical and non-technical audiences.
        • Ability to thrive while managing multiple tasks and responsibilities
        • Ability to negotiate and develop complex strategic partnerships to advance the energy transition
        • Work Experience: You have 10+ years of relevant work experience with at least 5 years of direct-line management experience. This includes:
          1. Experience working on energy issues across a range of market types
          2. Prior international development project management experience
          3. Leadership experience in fast-paced, multicultural environments
          4. A proven track record of advancing big ideas that have accelerated the pace and change of action at the national and international level
          5. Existing network of contacts in government, business, research institutes, NGOs on energy, climate, and development topics in developing and emerging markets
          6. Experience managing, fundraising for, and overseeing a budget of a minimum of $5M USD.
             • Languages: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Additional languages are a plus.
             • Requirements: Existing work authorization is required at a WRI office location. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization. Potential Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.