International Programme Manager

Position description

Join Ashden and support powerful, inclusive climate action in the Global South. 

We’re seeking an International Programme Manager whose insight and expertise can help tackle some of today’s biggest climate challenges. Challenges like bringing affordable clean energy to villages, farms and refugee camps in the global south, and empowering Indigenous people as guardians of threatened forests. 

Our programmes are designed to help these enterprises and non-profits secure funding and investment, share their insights, and drive policy change for a better world. In this role you’ll manage key programmes including: 

• Ashden’s contribution to Transforming Humanitarian Energy Access, a partnership tackling energy poverty among refugees and displaced people.  

• Pitching the Future, a programme giving innovators grants, tailored organisational development, dedicated grant resource, and pitching opportunities.  

• The Power Up campaign, amplifying Africa’s call for greater global investment in energy access. 

Working collaboratively across cultures and regions is key to this role. We are also looking for candidates who are confident working with colleagues to develop funding proposals, handling budgets and financial information, and monitoring and reporting on impact. 

In return, we can offer the chance to work with a passionate and supportive team – and a network of truly inspiring partners right around the world.  

Based in central London with the flexibility to work from home, this is a full-time, permanent position. We are looking for someone who can start ASAP, ideally early March.

Interviews will take place online on Tuesday 6 February and in person on Friday 9 February.

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Job title: International Programme Manager 

Job purpose: To lead delivery of Ashden’s international programmes with a focus on energy access and natural climate solutions 

Terms and conditions 

Permanent employee 

5 days per week 

Based in Ashden office in London, and working from home as appropriate/agreed 

Reports to: CEO 

Responsible for: Senior International Programme Officer; two Kenya-based consultants 

Duties and key responsibilities 

Programme management  

Oversee and deliver our international programme of work to accelerate progress being made globally on climate change and energy access.  The portfolio of programmes you will lead will include, but not be limited to: 

Transforming Humanitarian Energy Access (THEA) Programme (funded by UK aid, via the Transforming Energy Access platform): Lead Ashden’s programme deliverables focused on deepening understanding of how we can better support enterprises led by displaced people innovating in energy access to help build a more equal, low-carbon society.   Duties will include:  

• Overseeing consultant leading inclusive investment research and design, ensuring the assignment is delivered to a high standard.  

• Leading development of inclusive investment pilots in THEA priority countries – Bangladesh, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.  

• Working closely with communications team to raise awareness of and increase investment into refugee led clean energy solutions.  

Pitching the Future: this programme, launching in 2024, will support five Ashden Award alumni from the global south per year with tailored organisational development, dedicated grant resource, and strategically positioned pitching opportunities to support their impact and growth. Duties will include: 

• Leading programme inception, including selection of programme participants, assessing organisational development needs and finalising the structured package of support for programme participants. 

• Leading programme delivery which will include developing participant capabilities to communicate their climate solution and absorb investment (contracting external expertise as required), strengthening relationships with investors and organising investor pitching events.  

• Working with colleagues on the international and fundraising teams to secure additional funding for the programme. 

Power Up: The Power Up campaign amplifies Africa’s call for greater global investment in energy access. It works to boost finance and support for the frontline organisations bringing clean energy to communities in Africa facing energy poverty.  The Power Up coalition, currently consists of more than 80 organisations, from frontline African clean energy enterprises to leading global organisations in the energy access sector. Duties will include: 

• Supporting colleagues in Kenya to develop and deliver the Power Up campaign.   

• Working with the Kenya working group and Ashden colleagues to fundraise for the Power Up campaign and develop it for potential roll-out in other African countries.  

 Other duties:

• Day to day management of the international programme, including ensuring adequate and appropriate resourcing and management of the programme budgets. 

• Develop strategic partnerships and networks for the international programme.  Manage senior partnerships and relationships with international policy makers, senior government officials (UK and others in global north, and in global south).  

• Generate insights and data, to guide the future of the international programme of work and generate inspirational communications and an evidence base for the sectoral advocacy. 

 Financial management and reporting: 

• Ensure proper financial management of programme budgets and compliance with financial regulations and procedures. 

• Work closely with the Impact Lead and Fundraising team to ensure effective programme monitoring. Ensure all internal and external reporting requirements are met.  

 Fundraising: 

• Working in partnership with the Executive Management Team (EMT) and the Fundraising Team, drive a process of fundraising for the international programme work – to ensure it is fully funded.  

• Working closely with the Fundraising Team, support efforts generating and managing relationships with funders, driving the development of funding proposals  

 Communications:  

• Working with the Communications Team, develop strategic communications for impact in energy access and climate action in the Global South.  

• Be a vocal and active advocate for Ashden, including speaking at conferences, webinars and other events, writing articles and blogs, and developing a high-profile social media presence. 

• Contribute knowledge and insight generated through the international programmes to develop communications campaigns and to support other aspects of Ashden’s work.  

 General responsibilities:

• Be an ambassador for Ashden. 

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting your work and maintain and improve personal competence through continuous professional development. 

• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position. 

• Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace. 

• Work collaboratively with others in all aspects of Ashden’s work. 

Scope and accountability 

Decision making and limits of authority: 

• Design, development, implementation and management of activities, in line with strategy, budget and funding requirements.  

• Work closely with fundraising and communications teams to support the growth and development of the international programme. 

Financial resources{ 

• Responsible for managing the international programme budgets.  

• Oversight of total programme budget up to £500k including staff costs. Invoices over £2k to be signed off by Programme Director in accordance with Ashden’s financial procedures manual. 

Information resources:

• Shared responsibility for maintaining international contacts – their information and summary of recent conversations –ensure these are up to date on CRM system (Kermit).  

• Feeding insight and writing/contributing to articles and blogs for Ashden and third-party publications. 

Other resources

People management:

• Line management responsibility for Senior Programme Officer.  

• Management of consultants brought in to support with specific international programmes.  

Legal, regulatory and compliance: 

• Ensure compliance with Ashden financial policies and procedures. 

• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations. 

• Ensure compliance with Ashden Safeguarding policies and procedures and data protection in relation to grant management.  

• Personal compliance with Ashden health and safety procedures​, Equal Opportunities & Diversity procedures. 

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE 

• At least five years’ experience working at a strategic level to develop and deliver a programme of work with identifiable change outcomes.  

• Experience managing an international team, working with partners, and designing, developing and delivering programmes at a senior level. 

• Managing multiple projects (and budgets), involving the coordination of colleagues, external consultants, and stakeholders. 

• High-level persuasive communication with a range of partners and other stakeholders at regional and national levels, media or academic institutions for example. 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Strategic and critical thinker.   

• Ability to design and implement programmes individually and as part of a team.  

• Good networking skills, and ability to build and maintain networks, strategic partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders around the world. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Strong organisational and time management skills.  

• Strong financial management skills  

• Ability to monitor and evaluate impact and produce accurate reports. 

KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION/TRAINING 

• Knowledge and experience in climate change, clean energy access in the Global South, and experience of working in or with developing country projects. 

• Knowledge of jobs, skills and livelihoods and/or finance and investing in international climate solutions an asset. 

• Understanding and experience of how change happens and will happen in energy access.   

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS  

• Able to work some evenings, weekend and out-of-hours from time to time, and to travel outside the UK.   

• Active and self-led learner who keeps abreast of developments. 

• Works well in a team with a flexible approach to work.  

• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on tendersglobal.net