Are you passionate about climate justice in the Global South? We’re recruiting a senior programme officer to support the trailblazers delivering climate solutions in communities around the world.  

Helping refugees access clean, affordable energy will be a major part of this role. You will work with colleagues and external stakeholders on a project supporting the development of energy solutions led by displaced people. These solutions could range from solar-powered cold storage for food and medicines to cookstoves tackling toxic air pollution. As well as coordinating the initiative, you will build and strengthen relationships with partner organisations and help devise strategies for increasing investment and influencing policies on this issue. 

You will also work on delivering the Ashden Awards, which bring grants, publicity and networking opportunities to climate innovators. As well as assessing and working with potential award winners, you will also make sure that people with lived experience of climate challenges are well represented in the awards process. 

Other tasks will include helping secure funding for Ashden’s work, particularly our humanitarian programme, in the Global South, and sharing insights through events and various communication channels. 

Applicants will need knowledge in the field of climate solutions, environment or sustainable development. Specific knowledge of themes such as energy access, humanitarian energy and climate justice, as well as microfinance and inclusive investment, will be an advantage. 

Interviews will take place online Thursday 7 September and in person Monday 11 September. 

Job title: Senior International Programme Officer 

Job purpose: To deliver awards and projects within the international climate solutions team. To generate knowledge and insight through the awards process and programme work.  

Terms and conditions: 

Permanent employee 

5 days per week (flexible) 

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

 Reports to: Head of International Programmes 

 Responsible for: Interns  

 Duties and key responsibilities 

Deliver up to two exciting and impactful awards that are in line with Ashden’s mission, working with the wider awards team. Responsibilities include:  

• Contribute to the awards process, bringing your enthusiasm and expertise to discovering solutions to humanitarian energy access.  

• Work to discover exciting climate solutions and support them through our awards process.  

• Build networks of relevant stakeholders, including those with lived experience of the issues, to contribute to the awards process as assessors, judges, and knowledge partners.  

With the support of the Head of International Programmes, develop, design and deliver Ashden’s humanitarian energy programme. Responsibilities include:   

• Engage in stakeholder conversations to understand barriers to humanitarian energy, and develop/strengthen partnerships, particularly with Global Platform for Action (GPA) and Global Refugee-led Network (GRN), to grow the humanitarian energy programme.  

• Work with the Head of International Programmes to project manage Ashden’s deliverables in the Transforming Humanitarian Energy Access (THEA) programme and coordinate/implement a suite of interventions to support the development of refugee entrepreneur-led energy solutions. 

• In partnership with others, devise strategies to influence humanitarian policy both in the UK and internationally.  

As a member of the International Team, contribute to the generation, design and implementation of new projects that deliver impact and build on the aims of the international strategy.   

Support the Head of International Programmes to develop funding for the International Team.   

• Work with the Fundraising Team to turn concepts into fundable propositions, contribute to fundraising proposals, and develop a pipeline of opportunities with potential funders. 

• Develop relationships with funders and contribute to pitching of opportunities that result in funded awards and/or projects.  

Develop and share insights from awards process and programmes.   

• Work with the Editor to author insights from the awards process and programme work contributing to reports, articles and other comms materials.  

• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that awards and programmes are aligned with strategic goals. 

• Develop and deliver events and webinars to share insights to relevant audiences. 

• Share insights at relevant third-party events.  

 General responsibilities  

• Be an active part of the International Team, taking responsibility for aspects of its development and strategy. 

• Be a team player, supporting the wider Ashden team mission through joint working and skill sharing.  

• Keep up to date with developments affecting your work 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, equity and inclusion in the workplace. 

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

Scope and accountability 

Decision making and limits of authority 

• Share progress with International Team and Awards Team. 

•  Work closely with the Fundraising team on key aspects of awards and programmes proposal development.  

• Refer to Head of International Programmes for sign off on key decisions (e.g. final decisions on themes, partnerships) on projects and Head of Awards on awards-related matters.  

Financial resources 

• Manage expenditure for the humanitarian energy award circa £350k-£450k, working closely with and reporting into the Head of Awards.  

• Work with Head of International Programmes on the management of the programmes budget.  

Information resources 

• Responsibility for keeping relevant contacts up to date in Kermit.   

• Contribute insight reports and articles regularly, working with the Editor.  

People management 

• Management of occasional interns working on relevant areas.  

• Management of consultants brought in to support specific areas of the awards and programmes.  

Legal, regulatory and compliance 

• Ensure compliance with Ashden financial policies and procedures. 

• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations.  

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

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

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

EXPERIENCE 

• Significant experience working in development, energy access or humanitarian sectors. Direct experience working in humanitarian energy with sector partners an advantage.  

• Managing delivery of projects with duration of several months and involving multiple colleagues and external consultants and stakeholders.  

• Experience of detailed assessment work – the critical appraisal of the impact and work of organisations. 

• Experience working in the Global South or with teams from developing countries. Experience working in humanitarian settings preferred.  

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Ability to manage time, prioritise, plan ahead and see the big picture.   

• Strong research and analytical skills and the ability to synthesise complex information into clear concept notes and briefs.  

• Strategic design of awards, programmes and events.  

• Confidence building relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders based around the world.  

• Excellent written communication skills.  

• The ability to manage projects well.  

KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION/TRAINING 

• Proven knowledge in the field of climate solutions, environment and/or sustainable development required. Specific knowledge of themes such as energy access, humanitarian energy and climate justice would be helpful.   

• Knowledge of microfinance and inclusive investment desirable.  

 PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS   

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

• Enjoys working in a complex environment and with colleagues across multiple time zones. 

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

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

• Excellent interpersonal skills. 

• Equally comfortable with both demanding and more routine tasks.   

• Able to work some evenings, weekend and out-of-hours from time to
  time, and travel within UK and abroad.