Could you lead a team powering up climate justice – including clean, affordable energy for all – in Sub Saharan Africa? 

In recent years Ashden’s work in the Global South has put refugee energy innovators on the global stage, funded wider access to sustainable cooling in farms and cities, demonstrated how investment in skills and training can deliver a just transition, and boosted clean energy advocacy. 

We are now seeking a Director of International Programmes to scale up our work in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), collaborating with and supporting local partners to help them create benefits for marginalised people and communities at greatest risk from the climate crisis. 

The role will initially be a one-year contract, with a key task of reviewing and strengthening our work in SSA to maximise our impact. This will include finding new ways to unblock large scale funding and investment into clean energy access in humanitarian settings and nature-based solutions 

You will also ensure our international work is conducted within a framework of decolonisation, and diversity, equity & inclusion.  

As well as overseeing expenditure for all our international programmes, a core task will be to work closely with colleagues to secure significant new programme funding. You will also represent Ashden publicly and contribute to thought leadership on key issues. 

As a member of the Ashden executive management team, you will contribute to the organisation's overall governance, budget setting and monitoring and strategy. 

Your in-depth experience will include working on climate action in Sub Saharan Africa, driving policy change in the of areas of clean energy access and nature based solutions, and campaigning to achieve strategic goals. You will also need a good understanding of budgeting, be a brilliant team leader and have a strong fundraising track record. 

This is a one-year fixed-term contract, working three to five days per week. You must have the right to live and work in the UK and will be based at our office in London Victoria (working from home as appropriate/agreed). Some travel to SSA will also be required.  

Interviews will take place online Wednesday 18 October and in person at our office in central London on Friday 20 October. 

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Job title: Director of International Programmes  

Job purpose: Lead the strategic development and oversee delivery of Ashden’s climate action programme in the Global South in general, and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular.  

Review and maximise the impact of our work to support and scale innovators delivering clean energy access (particularly in humanitarian settings) and expanding nature-based solutions. 

Ensure our activities operate within a framework of increasing social justice and livelihoods decolonisationand diversity, equity & inclusion.  

Oversee expenditure for all our International Programmes and work in close collaboration with the fundraising team to secure substantially increased levels of funding.  

Be a spokesperson for Ashden and contribute to our thought leadership on international climate action. 

Reports to: Ashden CEO 

Terms and conditions:  

One year fixed term contract. 

3-5 days per week. 

Right to live/work in UK. 

Based in Ashden office in London Victoria and working from home as appropriate/agreed.  

Responsible for:  Head of International Programmes   

Duties and key responsibilities 

Develop and manage the strategic direction of Ashden’s programmes in the Global South generally and SSA in particular, to ensure they successfully reach their aims and achieve maximum impact. 

Work with programme Head and wider teams to help establish and grow existing programmes, and develop and oversee the establishment of new work. 

Review Ashden's international work, identify how it can be developed to a transformative level in future, and initiate changes. 

Help secure substantially increased funding for our international work. 

Other Key Tasks:  

• Manage Head of International Programmes to ensure they are delivering Ashden’s mission and strategic aims as relates to their work, and meeting their personal targets. 

• Oversee the development, resourcing and delivery of our work in energy access, humanitarian energy and supporting Ashden award winners to thrive.  

• Scope and facillitate increased funding and investment into innovative projects in SSA, especially Ashden Awards winners, so as to scale them and demonstrate their replicability.  

• Give impactful support to Ashden's African-led Power Up campaign, across political strategy, partnership building, widening the pool of key contacts and developing the capabilities of the network. 

• Directly build partnerships and new contacts to further develop work in the Global South. 

• Oversee the creation and management of the International Programme Team budgets. Work closely with the Director of Business Development to ensure that budgets are met and report back regularly and accurately to the Board. 

• Work closely with the Director of Business Development and Team to ensure that the strategies of the International Programme are fundable.  

• Work closely with Director of Communications & People to ensure that strategic comms are integrated into programme development and funding to increase impact and communicate project outcomes to target audiences.  

Executive Management Team (EMT) responsibilities 

With EMT colleagues: 

• Manage Ashden’s Governance, budget, strategy and organisational management. 

• Work closely with the CEO, the EMT and the Board of Trustees to develop and achieve Ashden’s strategic mission and goals. 

• Report back to the Trustee Board on International programmes.  

• Contribute to quarterly reports for trustees and attend quarterly trustee meetings. 

• Create and manage high-level partnerships in key areas of influence.  

• Liaise with the Operations & People Manager on HR matters for the International Programmes team. 

• Along with other Directors, deputise for the CEO as required. 

General responsibilities 

• Represent and be an ambassador for Ashden. 

• Be a key spokesperson - regularly speak at events.  

• Write blogs and articles for social, print and broadcast media when relevant for Ashden. 

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting our mission delivery and maintain and improve personal competence through continuous professional development. 

• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position. 

• Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace. 

• Support and promote sustainability and carbon reduction actions within Ashden, Sainsbury Family Charitable Trust and our wider work.  

Scope and accountability 

Decision making and limits of authority 

Subject to the overarching strategy of the organisation and consultation with EMT colleagues, authority to create and deliver the strategy through the work of the programmes and integration of communications and fundraising to achieve these aims. 

Financial resources 

The International Programme Team budget with authority as described in the [Financial Procedures Manual].  

Information resources 

Ensure that all records are kept in accordance with GDPR regulations.  

Other resources 

n/a 

People management 

Head of International Programmes and oversight of the wider international team, consultants, contractors and interns. 

Legal, regulatory and compliance 

• Ensure compliance with SFCT financial policies and procedures. 

• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations (where applicable - GDPR Champion for Ashden, initial responsibility for ensuring compliance with GDPR).  

• Ensure compliance with Ashden Safeguarding policies and procedures and data protection in relation to grant management.  

• Personal compliance with SFCT health and safety procedures​, Equal Opportunities & Diversity procedures. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

EXPERIENCE 

• Extensive professional experience in a relevant sector (clean energy access, nature based solutions and enhancing livelihoods in the Global South, preferably in Sub Saharan Africa).  

• Demonstrable understanding of the funding and investment landscape for climate action in the Global South. 

• Substantial strategic planning experience. 

• High competency at managing people both in-person and remotely.  

• Competent at budgeting and strong and demonstrable track record of fundraising.  

• Proven track record of working with policy makers and a good understanding of how programmes can drive policy change.  

• Experience of using campaigns to achieve strategic goals. 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• High level of insight and a skilled as strategic analysis. 

• An effective leader who can enthuse the team.  

• Ability to maintain attention to detail whilst balancing competing priorities and keeping an eye on the big strategic goals.  

• Demonstrable experience of brokering productive and healthy partnerships across a broad spectrum of stakeholders.  

• Confident, strong all-round communications skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to take complex information and synthesise for different audiences and platforms.  

• Ability to work well in a multi-disciplinary team and with Board of Trustees. 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS  

• Able to work some evenings, weekends and out-of-hours from time to time, and travel outside the UK. 

• Active and self-led learner who keeps abreast of developments.  

• Works well in a team with a flexible approach to work.  

• Good understanding of and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.