Sun King, formerly Greenlight Planet, is a for-profit social business that designs, distributes, and finances solar home energy with an under-served population in mind: the 1.2 billion global consumers for whom the old-fashioned electrical grid is unavailable or too expensive. Since its founding in 2009, the company has become a leading global provider of solar-energy products to over 60 million rural consumers in more than 65 countries.
From its wide range of trusted Sun King™ solar lamps and home energy systems to its innovative distribution partnerships, to its flexible EasyBuy™ pay-as-you-go financing model, Sun King continuously strives to meet the evolving needs of the off-grid market.
To find out more about Sun King, visit their website here.
About the Role
The Director of Partnerships at Sun King holds a crucial role in expanding global access to clean cooking solutions. This executive is tasked with establishing and managing strategic partnerships, with a particular focus on carbon offtake agreements and government relations to support Article 6 ITMO projects. The role also encompasses securing supportive policies, and regulatory frameworks, and optimizing supply chains for cost-effective clean cooking solutions, such as LPG. The ideal candidate will possess profound expertise in partnership development, securing commercial deals to support growth through carbon offtake partnerships and a strategic vision for fostering long-term relationships.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Relationship Building for Article 6 ITMO Projects (Clean Cooking Products):
- Build and strengthen relationships with government entities to facilitate clean cooking initiatives and support for Article 6 ITMO projects.
- Work with international and domestic stakeholders to ensure Sun King’s clean cooking projects are integrated under the Article 6 framework, contributing effectively to global climate goals.
Carbon Offtake Partnership Development and Management:
- Identify, develop, and manage partnerships focused on carbon offtake agreements, ensuring these partnerships align with Sun King’s strategic goals and enhance the viability of clean cooking projects.
- Negotiate terms and manage ongoing relationships with carbon credit buyers and other relevant entities to secure stable revenue streams from carbon financing.
LPG Company Partnership Management:
- Secure and manage partnerships with LPG suppliers to obtain LPG and cylinders at competitive prices, ensuring consistent supply and cost efficiency.
- Collaborate with supply chain and logistics teams to optimize the procurement and distribution of LPG and related equipment across various markets.
Advocacy and Policy Influence:
- Lead efforts to influence policy and regulatory environments in favour of expanding clean cooking solutions.
- Engage actively with policymakers and regulatory bodies to advocate for supportive policies and secure the necessary approvals for expanding market presence.
Financial Structuring and Project Support:
- Oversee the financial structuring of projects, particularly focusing on innovative financing solutions such as carbon credit monetization.
- Strategically support market expansion initiatives, leveraging insights from regulatory and policy environments.
Skills and Competencies
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in partnership development or government relations, with a strong emphasis on carbon market mechanisms and clean cooking technologies.
- In-depth knowledge of the clean cooking and or distributed solar energy sectors, financial structuring of projects, and regulatory environments.
- Proven relationship-building skills with government entities, DFIs, and donor organizations.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities.
- Fluent in English, with additional languages being advantageous.
Personal Attributes
- Empathy: Understanding and empathizing with customer challenges and needs.
- Problem-solving Ability: Being able to quickly find solutions to issues and strategize on preventing future problems.
- Adaptability: Being flexible and able to handle a fast-paced environment and shifting needs.
- Leadership: The ability to lead and mentor colleagues on the development and verification of carbon projects.
