Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

The Senior Energy Advisor s primary role is to provide technical support to Mercy Corps program teams implementing programs focused on: Humanitarian & Market-Based Energy, Access, including off-grid & remote community energy access, Productive Use of Energy, Clean Cooking, Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems integration, Energy efficiency . Support includes designing and developing programs, assessing and enhancing program quality, writing proposals for donors, providing training, developing humanitarian networks, maintaining current knowledge on industry best practices, disseminating information to internal and external partners, and representing Mercy Corps at key events. The Senior Advisor will also build the capacity of their peers and the organization. The Senior Advisor will also provide support to, and coordination with, Mercy Corps flagship energy platforms such as Enter Energy and the Energy for Impact (E4I) portfolio.

PROGRAM DESIGN AND PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT

• Write and review grant proposals and concept notes for donors including foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Support and lead development of energy proposals for the Green Climate Fund and other climate finance donors.
• Integrate energy approaches into proposals focused on food and economic security and humanitarian needs.
• Research, analyze, and assess data to determine program needs, priorities, and Mercy Corps advantages for funding; Maintain knowledge of development strategies by governmental, academic, and non-profit groups.
• Collaborate with program, country, regional, and TEQ teams on prepositioning and strategy development, and designing multi-sectoral programs that meet the outcomes and commitments in Mercy Corps 10-year strategy.
• Lead write complex, competitive proposals following Mercy Corps best practices in proposal development, team management, and the appropriate sectoral area.

PROGRAM QUALITY

• Play a lead role in stewarding Mercy Corps energy program models by developing and maintaining guidance and resources that promote quality design, implementation, and learning.
• Provide technical support to Mercy Corps teams globally, including those in complex crisis environments; Support effective interventions through integrated approaches, systems thinking, and promoting evidence-based lessons.
• Support and coordinate with ongoing flagship energy programs such as Enter Energy and the Energy for Impact (E4I) portfolio.
• Maintain standards of program delivery through application of agency approaches and compliance with relevant regulations and requirements.
• Increase program capacity within Mercy Corps through developing and circulating tools such as training and workshops, manuals, case studies, webinars, and monitoring and evaluation tools; Collaborate with leadership to set and execute strategies addressing agency-wide program quality needs.

LEARNING AND IMPACT

• Support the development and implementation of learning activities across the portfolio to strengthen the evidence base on Mercy Corps energy program models, and apply learning to adapt best practice.
• Provide in-country and remote training for Mercy Corps staff, partners, and programs with assistance on assessment, implementation, research, and evaluation.
• Build a strong community of practice across Mercy Corps in your technical area to strengthen program quality and build a community of technical experts.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Represent Mercy Corps at academic events, conferences, media forums, and other events; Contribute to thought leadership in area of expertise.
• Identify and nurture strategic partnerships with other organizations and institutions;
• Present concepts and ideas to donors, partners, and peer organizations that influence them to drive innovation and positive change.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP

• Demonstrate exceptional leadership by consistently delivering expectations and maintaining composure, even in challenging situations.
• Embrace a growth mindset, actively seek diverse perspectives, and welcome feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain the highest ethical standards, treating all individuals with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of life, ensuring that your conduct reflects positively on Mercy Corps and does not compromise its mission or work.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven track record of program management, with the ability to transfer technical theories to real world complexities.
• Experience in coaching or mentoring team members on adjusting their methodology to fit the context or program need.
• Comfortable working with diverse teams; fosters an environment of inclusion and collaboration
• Creative, adaptive, and flexible; consistently acts with integrity
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and work under tight deadlines within complex team environments
• Exceptional writing skills; effective and clear communication overall
• Excellent external relationship and partnership management, prioritizing elevating Mercy Corps and technical team s reputations.

Required Education and Experience

• 5 to 7 years of energy access experience required providing increasingly proficient technical support that includes:
• Grant writing, research, and proposal development.
• Leading all aspects of large and complex proposals and managing integrated grant writing teams.
• Thought leadership including representation at global fora and high profile meetings, producing and publishing influential articles and blogs.
• Combining strong theoretical and applied knowledge of the field of expertise using integrated approaches and applying systems thinking.
• Bachelor s degree preferred. M.A. or equivalent in a relevant field and relevant technical certifications preferred.
• Practical field experience required, typically over the course of 2 years, that includes:
• A temporary duration field assignment, longer-term field assignments, or living in a field location to work in a country or field office.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Proven track record of program management, with the ability to transfer technical theories to real world complexities.
• Experience in coaching or mentoring team members on adjusting their methodology to fit the context or program need.
• Comfortable working with diverse teams; fosters an environment of inclusion and collaboration
• Creative, adaptive, and flexible; consistently acts with integrity
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and work under tight deadlines within complex team environments
• Exceptional writing skills; effective and clear communication overall
• Excellent external relationship and partnership management, prioritizing elevating Mercy Corps and technical team s reputations.
• 5 to 7 years of energy access experience required providing increasingly proficient technical support that includes:
• Grant writing, research, and proposal development.
• Leading all aspects of large and complex proposals and managing integrated grant writing teams.
• Thought leadership including representation at global fora and high profile meetings, producing and publishing influential articles and blogs.
• Combining strong theoretical and applied knowledge of the field of expertise using integrated approaches and applying systems thinking.
• Bachelor s degree preferred. M.A. or equivalent in a relevant field and relevant technical certifications preferred.
• Practical field experience required, typically over the course of 2 years, that includes:
• A temporary duration field assignment, longer-term field assignments, or living in a field location to work in a country or field office.
• An emergency response assignment or other crisis response work demonstrating successfully adapting support and assistance methodologies to real-world complexities.
• Managing and implementing successful programs.
• Delivering Capacity Building curriculum or other processes for program teams.
• Familiarity with major donors such as FCDO, EC, Green Climate Fund as well as relevant foundations and corporations.
• Fluency (written and spoken) in English is required; fluency in a foreign language preferred.