SunnyMoney Malawi /SolarAid
Role Context:
This is a unique opportunity to join an innovative, ambitious organisation, which is selling solar lights across Malawi, bringing electricity to rural households and reducing reliance on fuels such as paraffin, candles and cheap battery torches. The applicant must be a forward-thinking and enthusiastic self-starter, willing to act on their initiative and as part of a team. The successful candidate will enjoy the challenge of helping an emerging organisation develop and be personally committed to the Organisation’s mission and objectives.
About Us:
SunnyMoney, is a social enterprise fully owned by the UK-based charity SolarAid operating in Malawi and Zambia, which focuses on business-based solutions to poverty and climate change. Our aim is to enable the world’s low-income people to have access to clean, renewable power. We do this by seeding solar businesses, which are selling solar lights, phone chargers and home systems to rural households. Our overarching goal in Malawi is to eradicate the use of paraffin, candle and disposable battery torches for lighting and help create a genuine solar market. Our mission is light in every home, school and clinic by 2030.
Job Summary
The overall objective is to provide leadership in SunnyMoney Malawi, and SolarAid as a whole, by launching innovative programmes to ensure no one is left behind in the effort towards universal energy access. The jobholder will be expected to design, manage and measure every programme to ensure that they are impactful and effective in isolation as well as within our wider entrepreneurial ecosystem. The role seeks to respond to the programmes’ recent development and growth trajectory.
The position will report to the Country General Manager and directly supervise the Programme Officers.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Leadership and Strategic Direction (20%)
● Lead programme design process with relevant local and global staff, ensuring each programme has clear plans, budget, KPIs and meets strategic priorities for the organisation and its stakeholders.
● Lead successful implementation, planning, monitoring, and reporting of all SunnyMoney Malawi programmes by agreed-upon budgets and plans.
● Design, develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures to ensure seamless operations for each programme.
● Work with SolarAid’s Director of Development, and the Global Programme & Partnerships team, to ensure strategic focus and effective delivery of programmes.
Technical Expertise and Business Development (40%):
● Work across all SunnyMoney programmes to ensure strategic focus, effective delivery and measurement.
● Support the development of concept notes, proposals and internal/external reports through the availability of the data emerging from the reporting structures.
● Analyse results and draw conclusions on progress to report to the General Manager, Senior Management team & SolarAid.
● Liaise with external research partners on the delivery of Impact Research relevant to each programme.
● Collaborate with the Business Development Unit to ensure all programme indicators relating to business performance are being captured and insights produced as required.
● Develop the ‘Programme Process’ further ensuring timely, monthly reporting on each programme’s activity, outputs and outcomes.
● Monthly updates to the General Manager and Senior Management on program implementation progress, vis-à-vis budget and indicators, suggesting necessary adjustments and addressing evolving issues.
Team Mentorship and Development (40%):
● Provide mentorship and support for the Programme Coordinator and individual Programme Leads.
● Ensure each staff member’s responsibilities are clear and reporting is completed professionally and in a timely manner.
● Ensuring overall coordination of program implementation and appropriate delegation of responsibility for field delivery of high quality and safe programming in line with the objectives of the country strategy.
● Ensure team’s professional development, provide team members with technical support, and keep team motivated and knowledgeable.
Key Qualifications and Competencies:
● Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business administration, Engineering, Sustainable Energy Management or any other relevant field of study
● A Master’s degree in Renewable energy, Climate Change or a related field of study will be an advantage
● Have 7 – 10 years of working experience preferably in the Development Sector out of which 5 years will be at management level
● Certification in Project Management is required preferably at PMP or Prince 2 level.
● Able to implement systems and processes for a whole team
● Able to collaborate with colleagues from a range of cultures and backgrounds.
● Strong grant management flair and ability
● Great team player and willing to support colleagues.
● Ability to work with minimal supervision.
● Proven leadership skills with the ability to work with diverse stakeholders and maintain partnerships
● Must have the right to work within Malawi
● Report and bid writing
● Understanding of using data to generate actionable insights
Experience – essential
● Solid programme management experience across a variety of projects
● Substantial experience in building lasting systems and processes such as databases and monitoring systems
● Grant/report management experience
● Understanding of international development and climate change issues
● Experience in working with international teams
● Experience in team management of at least one staff member.
● Demonstrated partnership development and management skills
Experience – desirable
● Knowledge and understanding of off-grid solar
● Ability to demonstrate an understanding of business management and entrepreneurship principles
● Experience with business-focused outputs and outcomes.
● Have an entrepreneurial flair and be customer service oriented
● Analytical, problem solver, agile and innovative qualities
Method of Application
Interested and qualified applicants may apply to recruitment.malawi@sunnymoney.org below by enclosing an updated CV, cover letter and copies of their academic credentials.