Application Deadline: 17 April 2026
Department: Operations
Location: Africa
Description
Allied Talent Partners (ATP), an initiative of Three Cairns Group, operates as a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace. Our focus is on alleviating human capital constraints that impede sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial emphasis on the African continent. ATP connects carefully vetted, experienced professionals with relevant expertise to impactful opportunities within the energy access and sustainable development sectors, thereby strengthening local capacity and stimulating economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-based engagements, covering a spectrum from interim leadership and generalist projects to highly specialized technical expertise. ATP manages project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance, allowing our clients to concentrate entirely on achieving their impact goals.
High-Level Overview
Project:
Our client seeks a Programme Lead to provide strategic direction and comprehensive oversight for an energy access programme in Malawi, operating under the Mission 300 initiative. This role involves defining the programme's strategic path, ensuring its alignment with national priorities, and coordinating the delivery of technical workstreams across policy, technical implementation, financing, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL). This position offers a significant opportunity to contribute to sector reform, bolster institutional capacity, and accelerate progress towards broader and more inclusive energy access. The ideal candidate will possess extensive leadership experience in energy sector programmes, coupled with a demonstrated history of successfully managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives and achieving tangible results in emerging market environments.
Role and Responsibilities
Role: Energy Access Programme Lead (Malawi)
Direct Report: TBC
Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables:
- Provide strategic guidance and technical expertise for the development and refinement of national policies, strategies, and implementation plans pertaining to energy access and related sector priorities, ensuring full alignment with government objectives.
- Oversee the entire programme lifecycle, from design to implementation, including meticulous planning, prioritization, and execution of activities. This involves coordinating technical experts across policy, technical delivery, financing, and MEL workstreams to ensure integrated and cohesive outputs.
- Lead high-level stakeholder engagement and coordination with government bodies, development partners, private sector entities, and other critical stakeholders to align objectives, resolve implementation hurdles, and garner support for programme goals.
- Guide robust monitoring, learning, and reporting processes. Ensure precise tracking of progress against established targets, synthesize key insights, and translate evidence into actionable recommendations that inform adaptive programme management and decision-making.
- Drive capacity-building and institutional strengthening initiatives by mentoring local counterparts, facilitating knowledge transfer, and integrating practical tools, frameworks, and methodologies to foster the long-term sustainability of programme outcomes.
Requirements
Experience Required:
- A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in energy, energy access, or related development programmes.
- Demonstrated success in leading intricate programmes within low- or middle-income country contexts.
- Proven capability in managing multi-disciplinary teams and coordinating efforts across various technical workstreams.
- Previous experience engaging with government stakeholders on energy policy, sector reform, or energy access initiatives.
- Background working within donor-funded or multi-partner programme environments.
Technical Requirements:
- Comprehensive understanding of energy sector dynamics, including clean cooking solutions and decentralized energy systems.
- Proficiency in overseeing programme strategy, crafting implementation plans, and managing performance.
- Experience in governance, stakeholder coordination, and programme risk management.
- Ability to integrate policy, technical, financial, and MEL components effectively.
Other Skills:
- Strong leadership and decisive decision-making capabilities, especially in complex environments.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior levels.
- Adept at operating effectively amidst ambiguity and evolving programme conditions.
- Clear communication and high-quality reporting abilities.
Working Arrangement
Location: Malawi
Travel: Occasional travel within Malawi will be required for stakeholder engagement and programme oversight activities.
Terms of agreement:
Start Date: June 2026
Contracting Period: 12 months