MERCY CORPS
POSITION TITLE: DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR, ENERGY 4 IMPACT
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Position Status: Full-time, regular
Salary Level: Salary for this role will be commensurate with experience based on local benchmark.
ABOUT ENERGY 4 IMPACT AND MERCY CORPS
At Mercy Corps, we understand the pivotal role of universal energy access in shaping a more sustainable future — one defined by thriving economies, stable food and water supplies, and peaceful, effective governance. To realize this vision, we are addressing critical challenges at the intersection of energy access and climate-resilient development through our platform, Energy 4 Impact (E4I).
Our localized approach begins by building inclusive energy markets, and then leveraging them as a catalyst for sustainable development and humanitarian assistance. We offer multidisciplinary expertise, local know-how, and systems-centered approaches, coupled with global best practices in energy innovations, technologies, and business models. Having successfully implemented this model across Africa, positively impacting the lives of over 20 million individuals through enhanced energy access, we now aim to amplify our global influence. Our mission is to uncover innovative, transformative means of utilizing energy access to enhance the well-being of all people on our planet.
THE POSITION
Reporting to E4I’s Managing Director (MD), the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) will be a key member of the E4I Senior Management Team (SMT). Our energy work is built around three pillars: major regional energy programming which include business model and technology field trials and development of markets in different energy sector verticals; energy advisory support for small businesses and donors; and integrating energy into Mercy Corps’ multi-sector programming.
The DMD will have overall responsibility for E4I’s major regional programs and driving the growth of the E4I business. They will oversee the following areas: design, fundraising and implementation of the regional energy programs; development of a new strategy, operating model and organizational structure for growth; and technical quality assurance across all E4I energy programming.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Vision, Strategy and Organizational Development
· Working with the E4I MD and E4I SMT, develop and champion a vision for growth of E4I globally.
· Lead the planning, development, and execution of the E4I energy strategy, including managing iterations of strategic vision documents.
· Develop recommendations for E4I’s organizational restructuring and support operationalization of the new structures.
· With the E4I SMT, develop and operationalize new energy services and verticals that respond to sector needs in alignment with E4I’s core capabilities to drive the global growth of the E4I platform.
· Support the effective functioning of the E4I SMT through clear delineation of roles and responsibilities, agenda setting, and reporting on organizational priorities.
· Lead planning and facilitation of an annual E4I strategy refresh.
· Conduct data-driven analysis to support and make recommendations on strategy and organizational performance.
· Present results to the MD and Mercy Corps’ leadership teams.
Operational Oversight, Technical Leadership and Quality Assurance
· Support the MD to oversee the daily operations of the E4I platform ensuring that E4I teams are performing and providing the services required to ensure E4I grants and contracts are effectively delivered.
· In collaboration with E4I’s MD and SMT, create a framework to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of E4I’s energy programs and consulting services.
· Direct technical operations on select large, high-priority energy programs working with E4I’s MD and SMT.
· Provide hands-on support to the Head of Advisory Services to ensure technical excellence and efficient performance of advisory teams.
· Ensure learnings are integrated to improve E4I’s operations including in ongoing energy programs and in the design of new, large-scale programs and technical services.
· Provide support to teams at key program stages including program start-up, kick-off meetings, inception meeting check-ins, quality audits and spot checks, and end of program transitions.
Organizational Growth
· With the respective department heads, define and execute growth strategies and fundraising plans for E4I’s new energy services and verticals.
· Oversee fundraising efforts for select high priority major energy programs, working closely with the E4I MD, and the relevant Mercy Corps business development teams.
· Build and manage relationships with strategic global energy donors and partners.
· Provide technical leadership on proposals by setting the vision and strategy, driving program design, defining competitive partnerships, and negotiating partner scopes of work, informing budget development, and leading writing of technical proposal sections.
· Lead deal-closing for select high priority major energy programs and consulting services.
· Represent select energy programs at industry conferences and events as a presenter or participant.
People Management and Planning
· Manage and mentor small team of energy program managers and professionals in Kenya and globally, helping them to deliver programs and grow their skills and experience.
· Review E4I’s staffing structures, prepare E4I’s new personnel planning and job descriptions, and oversee recruitment and onboarding of new E4I team members.
· Be a champion for the mission, vision and values of E4I and Mercy Corps.
· Promote and encourage a transparent, collaborative and ethical work culture, with a focus on open feedback and professional development.
REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications
· Graduate or Postgraduate Degree in Business Management, Economics, Finance, International Development, Energy, Environment, Climate Change or other relevant subject
Experience
· 15+ years’ experience in wide-ranging, cross-functional business areas
· Experience in an energy access context in Africa working at the nexus of program leadership, strategy, and operations
· “Hands-on” experience in program development, strategic planning, and program implementation
· Experience designing and delivering energy access portfolios in Africa in partnership with the private sector
· Fundraising experience
Skills
· Excellent leadership and motivational skills. Track record managing a diverse mix of professionals and different cultures
· Program and project conceptualization and design skills
· Excellent organization and project management skills. Ability to manage multiple programs and client engagements, meet deadlines and allocate resources and budgets effectively
· Ability to develop partnerships and strong and effective relationships with different stakeholders.
· Ability to mentor clients and help them develop solutions
· Ability to critique and develop financial models
· Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
· Effective public speaker or workshop facilitator
· Fluent English
Personal Qualities
· Team player
· High energy
· Attention to detail and a focus on results
· Ability to think outside the box, to see the big picture and connect the dots
· Ability to work calmly under pressure
· A can-do and collaborative mindset
· Willingness to travel internationally, sometimes at short notice
· Passion for working in the development and impact sector
· Close alignment with the mission and values of Mercy Corps
Supervisory Responsibility
· E4I Head of Advisory Services
· Senior Energy Program Development Manager
· E4I Program Managers
Accountability
· Reports Directly To: Managing Director of E4I
· Works Directly With: Those under supervisory responsibility, E4I SMT, Regional Program Teams, Regional and Country Directors, Technical Support Unit, International Finance, Business Development Teams (New Initiatives, Corporates and Foundations, Strategic Partnerships), Program Performance and Quality.
OUR VALUES
Living Conditions
The position is based in Nairobi and it requires significant travel to support regional programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding and Ethics
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct E-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
Accountability to Project Participants
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging participant communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.