Technical Director, Global Clean Energy Finance - The WRI Polsky Energy Center

Role - Technical Director, Global Clean Energy Finance
Organization: The Polsky Center for Global Energy Transition, World Resources Institute

Reporting To - Global Research Director 
Work Experience - 12+ years

Location - Hybrid (8 days a month from any WRI office across the US, India, China, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, UK, Netherlands, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil)

Work Authorization - Existing work authorization required, no work visa sponsorship

Compensation - Competitive

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in any of our offices mentioned above. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position in US, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

About The WRI Polsky Center for Global Energy Transition

The WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition delivers pragmatic, scalable, and urgently needed solutions to achieve a clean, abundant, affordable, and reliable energy future.

Harnessing WRIs renowned analytical power, convening ability and global expertise, the WRI Polsky Energy Center works with governments, utilities, companies, financial institutions and civil society to find bold solutions to the barriers that stand in the way of the energy transition, including modernizing grids, unlocking financing, sourcing critical minerals responsibly and building a future-ready workforce.

We support the global commitment to accelerate renewable energy, deliver energy storage solutions, and increase energy efficiency, while continuing to transition from fossil fuels.

The WRI Polsky Energy Center takes a unique, three-part approach that combines WRI's renowned experts, a world-class Advisory Group, and collaboration with partners to:

• Generate evidence-based analyses on barriers and solutions through rigorous research from around the world.
• Orchestrate the change by engaging influential actors - banks, companies, utilities, governments and civil society to co-create and implement solutions.
• Leverage WRIs reach including the Institutes presence in a dozen of the worlds most influential economies and global expertise on topics that are important to the energy transition such as land use, oceans, urban development, climate, economics, finance and governance.

About WRI

Founded in 1982, 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 to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the worlds greatest environment and international development challenges and improve peoples 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.

About the Role

This role will be under the Global Impact Team and will be reporting to the WRI Polsky Energy Centers' Global Director of Research.

This energy leadership role involves leading the design and implementation of the WRI Polsky Energy Centers' energy transition finance analysis, grounded in the latest research and needs of WRI's focus geographies (Africa, Brazil, Colombia, China, Europe, Mexico, India, Indonesia, US).
Assessing the feasibility of energy financing, along with identifying roadblocks in investment for clean energy in emerging markets and developing countries, will be a core component of this role.
A key value addition will be building core partnerships that have the potential to dramatically scale effective financing models that advance energy transition through blended finance and other public-private collaboration models. The role is heavy in communications and will include collaboration with other finance and energy experts to author publications and proposals that articulate the who, what, why, and how of WRIs pragmatic energy transition solutions.

If you're someone with a deep understanding of energy markets and the global financing landscape, with impeccable skills in research, communications, partnerships, and thrive in a role that includes travel and cross border team work we encourage you to apply!

What will You Do?

• Plan, design, and conduct financial and data analysis to assess the feasibility of energy financing for projects and identify gaps in financing and investment for clean energy
• Analyze energy markets, finance trends, and finance delivery options to identify opportunities for rapid scaling and impact potential
• Apply tools and analytical frameworks to advance the clean energy transition and design research using a data-in-action mindset that seeks to build real-world finance partnerships that scale investment and funding for clean energy solutions
• Design and write high-quality knowledge products, communication, and publishing material related to energy finance and investment, as well as review the development of proposals with energy finance elements at the global level
• Collaborate with experts in WRIs Global Climate, Economics, and Finance (CEF) team to examine the strategic use of concessional energy transition finance to catalyze private finance
• Partner with the Technical Director of Global Grids to develop the WRI finance and investment approach
• Leverage and build an extensive global network of local and international partners, positioning WRI as a key collaborator and influential player in energy finance, such as investors, financial institutions, and government agencies, and implement roundtables, workshops, and other convening events with global stakeholders
• Provide strategic finance guidance and feedback on priorities, frameworks, and implementation activities for WRI country teams

What you will need:

• You have a Master's in Finance/Econometrics or related fields
• You come in with 12+ years of experience in private sector finance institutions/ development finance /private equity funds/ multi-lateral banks/ impact investing/ energy finance organizations
• You can analyze large finance data sets, create or use financial models, and interpret statistical results (Familiarity with IEA, IRENA, OECD data sets)
• You have contributed to high-quality finance/energy publications, research papers, and have worked on global funding proposals
• You have experience working with international organizations and networks (G20, GFANZ, MDB/DFIs) and high-level finance forums
• You enjoy networking, have been a part of international roundtables/conferences, and have experience in high-stakes, global stakeholder management across government, corporates, and institutions
• You're known for your expertise in energy finance, energy markets, and you can translate your data-driven knowledge into policy recommendations
• You are available to travel internationally for internal and external meetings, conferences, fundraising, and other purposes 30% of the time
• You're entrepreneurial and have a curious, analytical bent of mind
• You are highly emotionally intelligent and invest in relationships
• You thrive on working with individuals from different cultures, backgrounds, and time zones
• You are deeply aligned with WRI's mission to improve lives, protect nature, and stabilize the climate through systems-level transformation.
• You're a team player who works with integrity, innovation, urgency, independence, and respect
• You have international exposure

What we offer -

• Access to the WRI global network, learning from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the US
• Opportunity to create an impact and develop your career with a mission-driven organization with various training programs
• Achieve work-life balance through a hybrid working model with flexible working hours and generous leave days that increase with tenure
• Feel medically and financially secure! Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, Retirement Plan Access, and Employer Contribution

How to Apply - Kindly apply using the link here 

As the role is open to candidates across the globe, including EU and US citizens, the application form will involve your GDPR consent as well as a short google form when screened. It is voluntary to share this information with us. All information will be confidential and shared only with specific members within WRI and Arthan.

Post your application here, if you meet the search criteria, and your profile is shortlisted, we will get in touch. Given the volume of applications, it will not be possible to get back to each and every one of you! Thank you for applying though. 

*All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status