As the Sustainable Finance Strategist, Clean Energy, you will lead analysis and manage institutional partnerships in clean energy finance. This includes our Scaling Up Solar Project as well as our Climate Solutions Partnership. Scaling investment in renewable energy is an essential part of the clean energy transition. Doing so provides alternatives to fossil fuel pollution and offers a pathway to create more equitable, resilient and climate-safe economies. As the Finance Specialist, you will analyze investment pathways for a massive deployment of solar energy technologies and investment-readiness activities to accelerate the global transition to a low carbon, clean energy future, facilitate universal energy access, and improve energy security by 2030. You will lead the financial analysis for an international partnership, working with a core group consisting of the WRI Scaling Up Solar team, the International Solar Alliance (ISA), World Bank/ESMAP, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
In this role, you will also engage with a range of other stakeholders, including multilateral development banks, philanthropic organizations, bilateral country funders, institutional investors, and boutique investment firms including blended finance funds. In this role you will provide strategic input to a signature corporate partnership focused on the role of sustainable finance in scaling renewable energy and nature-based solutions, and helping large banks achieve their net zero ambitions. Through this work you will provide thought leadership and timely insights on how large commercial banks can both shift their own businesses to align with net zero commitments as well as positively influence the broader financial system in the same direction. How commercial banks can mainstream net-zero targets through sustainable/green product/service offerings as well as client engagement; The role these banks can/should have in hastening the energy transition and scaling sustainable NBS initiatives; and how commercial banks, including our Signature Partner, can hasten systems change within the financial sector in line with net-zero commitments.
This position can be based in any of WRI’s offices: US, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, Africa, Indonesia, India, and China, with the candidate working remotely to start due to current Covid-19 measures. Long-term remote work is possible. Meetings are held with colleagues in time zones in the US (primarily Eastern time zone), London, Africa, and India, so you must be comfortable with flexing your work schedule to accommodate some early and/or late meetings depending on your location. Current work authorization in your country location is required.
Job Responsibilities:
Project 1: Scaling Up Solar (50%)
- Support a global team and partnership dedicated to building a roadmap for scaling up solar power, particularly in developing economies
- Oversee 2-3 working groups of financial institutions and other stakeholders examining solar investment to date and assessing possible scaling opportunities
- Support consultant and partner contributions to the Roadmap for Solar Investment
- Review financial data and investment portfolios
- Convene and integrate inputs from stakeholders to contribute to the Roadmap development
- An ideal candidate will have experience working in the international energy finance arena and ideally with national energy issues and stakeholders in Africa, Asia and/or Small Island Developing States
- You will have deep knowledge of clean energy technologies and systems, energy policy, and energy finance challenges and opportunities.
Project 2: Climate Solutions Partnership (50%)
- Serve as WRI’s primary sustainable finance expert vis a vis the Signature Partnership – helping coordinate and leverage WRI’s expertise and resources to hasten our Partner’s net-zero journey
- Work with colleagues across WRI’s programs and international offices on the development and execution of the Signature Partnership’s strategy for financial building capacity within commercial banks to hasten net-zero ambitions
- Provide ad hoc and ongoing support and recommendations to the Strategic Partner as it develops a series of internal climate/energy policies, navigates the partnership/NGO landscape and implements its evolving net-zero strategy. Related, provide advice on the Partner’s external stakeholder Climate Advisory Panel
Strategic Sustainable Finance Stakeholder Engagement and Thought Leadership
- Promote knowledge sharing among project partners and countries
- Develop and co-develop blogs, training materials, and other knowledge products (e.g., reports, issue briefs, working papers, and technical notes) on sustainable finance
Job Qualifications:
- 8-12 years of relevant, full-time professional experience
- Master’s degree in sustainable energy, public policy, or a related field (or a bachelor’s degree with two years of additional relevant work experience)
- Experience working in the international energy finance arena, including work with private finance
- Demonstrated ability to lead and engage with diverse stakeholders on renewable energy system questions or related complex technical topics
- Demonstrated experience managing projects and directing the work of contractors
- Demonstrated ability to work well in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, manage multiple priorities, and work under tight deadlines
- Collaborative problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
- Detail-oriented, organized, and independent thinker
- Renewable energy experience in Africa, Asia and/or the Small-Island Developing States
- Deep knowledge of solar energy technologies/systems and financing instruments, energy policy, and energy finance challenges and opportunities
- Experience working with international organizations
- Work authorization in your current country location. WRI may not be able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
Potential Salary:
$96,000 – $130,000 if based in United States. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume with cover letter. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
Program Overview:
Our Global Energy Program speeds the transition to a low-carbon, inclusive energy future by helping to build clean energy markets and change institutions. Our more than 30 experts focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy access with active work in China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Tanzania, the United States, the Philippines, and Vietnam. We take public commitments as a starting point and push forward policies, projects, and programs that accelerate and deliver change on the ground. We work for a future where all people have access to affordable, reliable clean energy.
WRI Overview:
World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.
We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills, and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence, and respect.
The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.
We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years, and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,600+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.
WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.