This position can be based in WRI Kenya, WRI Ethiopia, or WRI Rwanda. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission for the position. WRI is unable to sponsor work authorization for any of the listed office locations.
About the program:
WRI Africa - WRI has been working in Africa for more than 30 years, supporting local partners and African governments to advance forest protection, landscape restoration, clean energy transitions, and sustainable cities. In recent years, we appointed a Managing Director for Africa, established a regional hub in Addis Ababa, and created a region-wide strategy. Our vision for Africa is to catalyze inclusive transformation so Africa’s people and landscapes flourish through access to clean and affordable energy, vital landscapes, thriving and resilient cities, and institutional and economic transformation.
Through its Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition, WRI collaborates with policymakers, cities, communities, companies, utilities, regulators and development institutions to secure a clean energy future for everyone. In Africa, we work with policy makers, development finance institutions, local academic institutions, renewable energy developers, and civil society organizations to stimulate clean energy demand for livelihoods, including in the agricultural, health, and other key sectors. We also support national and sub-national governments to develop evidence-based clean energy transition pathways leveraging the Energy Access Explorer (EAE), WRI’s flagship open-source Digital Public Good for integrated energy planning, alongside other open energy planning tools.
Job Highlight:
In this role, you will lead the Africa Energy Program, including designing the overall program strategy, overseeing program implementation, managing staff and associates, ensuring delivery of targeted outcomes, and tracking indicators of progress and success. You also will lead donor engagement and fundraising efforts for the African Energy Program. You will be supported by program managers, researchers, measurement and evaluation (M&E) experts, operations staff, development staff, and communications staff in WRI’s Africa and Global offices. In this role you will become one of the “go to” WRI experts on Africa’s energy systems, leading a team that carries out innovative research and creates digital platforms, geospatial intelligence, and analytical products; articulating a WRI Africa perspective on complex energy themes; and leveraging WRI’s insights to influence industry & policymakers. You will report to the Deputy Director of WRI Africa and coordinate closely with the WRI Polsky Energy Center leadership.
What you will do:
Strategic Leadership (40% time)
- Lead development of the Africa Energy program strategy, defining the program's long-term vision, strategic direction, priorities and desired outcomes to accelerate equitable energy systems transformation across Africa, spanning energy access and equitable development, clean energy transitions, clean energy finance, and energy minerals and circularity.
- Ensure resources and efforts are directed to high-impact opportunities that address existing and emerging energy and development challenges.
- Supervise and mentor a multidisciplinary Africa Energy team.
- Oversee engagement and partnerships with national and sub-national government partners as well as the private sector, academia, civil society, and international organizations.
- Develop and implement a long-term fundraising /resource mobilization strategy that aligns with the program’s priorities. Establish and maintain relationships with new and existing donors and lead efforts to raise multi-year funding for the African Energy Program, in collaboration with the WRI Africa and Global development teams.
- Engage WRI’s Senior Leadership and other Directors to ensure that WRI’s Africa Energy work is contributing to the overarching objectives of WRI Africa and the WRI Polsky Energy Center. Identify and lead opportunities to collaborate with other WRI Programs, Centers, and International Offices to achieve these objectives.
- Build shared ownership and commitment among team members, partners, donors and relevant stakeholders by communicating the strategic vision, direction, priorities and transformational impact of the Africa Energy program.
Program Management (30% time)
- Oversee a diverse portfolio of initiatives funded by bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic, and private donors through coordination with country offices, regional and global teams.
- Assume overall responsibility for WRI Africa Energy program finances with support from the WRI Polsky Energy Center Operations Director.
- Provide direction on the annual planning process to ensure alignment with the Africa Energy Program’s strategy and organizational priorities.
- Work with the program’s M&E specialist to define project success criteria and monitor and evaluate performance of the WRI Africa Energy team. Work with the team to adapt strategies based on evaluated performance. Communicate progress to internal and external stakeholders.
- Proactively identify and address opportunities and risks to projects arising internally or externally, including adjusting strategies and management approaches.
- Lead strategic partnership management, fostering strong relationships with project funders, partners, stakeholders, and staff, and addressing implementation challenges to ensure successful collaboration and delivery.
Research, Knowledge & Engagement (30% time)
- Shape WRI Africa Energy program research and thought leadership to achieve strategic objectives and meaningful impact.
- Identify and advance new lines of research and analysis relevant to the Africa Energy Program’s strategy and objectives.
- Author or co-author knowledge products and tools (e.g., reports, briefs, data products, digital tools).
- Ensure that all knowledge products produced by the Africa Energy team meet WRI's high standard of quality, including through oversight of the peer review process.
- Work with the Africa Energy team and communications staff to ensure a compelling and consistent message from our work as a key strategy for impact.
- Represent WRI as a thought leader in media interviews, speaking events, and events with partners.
- Engage with WRI Board members and other senior leaders in the energy field to
communicate WRI’s work and collaborate on strategy.
What you will need:
- Education: You have an advanced degree in a related field, preferably in clean energy, international development, environmental policy, or environmental science.
- Experience: You have a minimum of 15 years of full-time relevant work experience in the energy field, with 10+ years of program implementation and project management experience. Preferred experience includes:
- Work on energy markets, energy technology and energy policy
- Experience building partnerships and engaging with diverse stakeholders—including governments, civil society, and companies—from global to local scales
- Proven track record of fundraising success at a multimillion-dollar scale
- Track record in publishing high quality quantitative research and analysis
- Track record of credibility with donors and sector stakeholders
- Strong writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
- Experience in cross-cultural communication and engagement with diverse constituencies
- Languages: Written and verbal proficiency in English is required. French language skills are highly desirable.
- Requirements: Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship.
Potential Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive remuneration and benefits package.
How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a cover letter by 18 August 2026. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
What we offer:
- A competitive salary
- Access to the WRI global network, offering the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States.
- The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission-driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
- A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work.
- WRI’s long-term commitment to a hybrid working model with flexible working hours.
- Generous leave days that increase with tenure.
About Us: 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: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership and Care. These values shape how we work with one another as well as what we work toward, and they call on all of us to help create an environment where people are welcomed, respected, and able to contribute as their full selves.
Our culture: At WRI, we believe that a more inclusive, equitable, and respectful workplace helps all of us do better work and better serve our mission. We are committed to advancing gender and social equity and to fostering an environment where people of all identities and backgrounds feel they belong, are valued, and are treated with dignity and respect. Creating this kind of culture is a shared responsibility across WRI. 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.
Our People team carefully reviews all applications.
