Programme Leader for Energy and Climate and Deputy Centre Director for Research (Africa)

Duration: 2 years, with possibility of contract extension or development of permanent position (6 months’ probation period)

Salary range: Competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience

Start date: Mid-2017

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Application deadline: 15 April 2017

About the position

SEI’s Africa Centre seeks a Research Fellow and Deputy Centre Director for Research to advance SEI’s research program on the science-policy interface for energy and climate in Africa, by developing an innovative portfolio of projects and initiatives.The position also encompasses Deputy Centre Director responsibilities, with oversight for development of the centre’s research across the four programmes listed above. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic team and s/he will also engage with SEI colleagues from other centres as well as national and international project partners. This position reports to the Centre Director.

Job responsibilities

Programme leader for climate and energy

• Lead the energy and climate programme at SEI Africa, including managing and directing projects and initiatives and line management responsibilities;
• Lead the development of new proposals and seek the necessary internal and external support and funding;
• Lead the design, planning and coordinating activities at SEI Africa related to strategies, technologies and policies associated with sustainable energy and climate change;
• Advise and supervise SEI Africa staff engaged in research, capacity building and outreach on energy and climate;
• Develop and maintain a contact network of researchers, decision-makers and partner organisations in Africa to support the SEI Africa programme on sustainable energy and climate change; and
• Promote and support the use and application of SEI’s policy analysis and decision support tools for energy planning (e.g. LEAP) among governments and other partners.

Deputy Centre Director for Research

• Oversee development of SEI Africa Centre research programmes, including developing new areas of research and innovative approaches (i.e., citizen science);
• Oversee strategic direction of SEI Africa Centre’s research portfolio;
• Contribute to project and proposal development for research programmes;
• Develop and apply an approach for tracking research impact and assuring quality management of Centre research programmes (i.e., examples of incorporation of research into policy, journal citations and quality of research outputs); and
• Serve on the Centre management team and step in as acting Centre Director when so required.

Essential qualifications

• Ph.D. in interdisciplinary energy/environmental analysis, economics, applied sciences, or a related field and at least 5 years in a relevant full-time research position;
• Fluency in spoken and written English;
• Knowledge on the role of energy in supporting climate change mitigation and sustainable development;
• Capability to analyse energy policies and programmes in the context of climate change, energy access and rural/agricultural development;
• Proven track record of developing new projects and programmes;
• Proven experience in fundraising for significant projects and liaising with funding agencies;
• Experience in line managing staff and supporting their professional development;
• Experience working on energy and climate technology policy assessments in African countries and regions;
• Experience in policy-relevant and interdisciplinary research;
• Experience and proven ability to work in international, multi-disciplinary research teams;
• Ability to prepare articles, policy briefs, working papers and other publications;
• Track record of publications on energy, climate and sustainability issues in peer-reviewed journals and/or scientific reports;
• Ability to work independently as well as being comfortable working in international teams in a virtual environment, both as team leader and as team member; and
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills for both technical and public audiences.

Note: Applicants of any nationality are welcome, but applicants from Africa and/or with significant working experience in Africa will be given priority.

Desirable attributes

• Fluency or working ability in one or more other relevant languages, such as Kiswahili, French or Portuguese;
• Experience or familiarity with relevant regional or international institutions and organisations (e.g. AU, EAC, SADC, IEA, IRENA);
• Experience or familiarity with international policy platforms, multilateral agreements, instruments and/or policy processes (e.g. SE4All, UNFCCC, REDD+);
• Working knowledge of sustainability standards for energy systems and/or biofuels;
• Knowledge on principles of climate accounting or carbon finance;
• Experience with low-carbon and/or energy efficiency policies and technologies in developing countries;
• Experience in assessments in the traditional biomass sector, including household energy and/or cookstoves; and
• Comfortable with detailed analysis and fieldwork to support research.

Inquiries concerning the content of the position can be directed to Maria Westerlund, Human Resources Director maria.westerlund@sei-international.org or Stacey Noel, Centre Director stacey.noel@sei-international.org.