Strategic Partnership Coordinator/Manager

Position description

Solar Cookers International (SCI), started in 1987, improves human health, economic well-being, women’s empowerment, and the environment by promoting climate-friendly solar cooking for vulnerable populations worldwide.  SCI leads through advocacy, research, and strengthening the capacity of the global solar cooking movement. SCI has the highest ratings from Charity Navigator, GuideStar/Candid, and the BBB, and received the Keeling Curve Prize, which recognizes “the most impactful climate projects.”  This is a new position as SCI is growing.

The Position

Solar Cookers International is seeking a Strategic Partnership Coordinator (SPC) or Strategic Partnership Manager (SPM) to grow SCI’s partnerships, consultancy opportunities, and financial support to increase the use of solar cookers globally. This position is responsible for the planning, acquisition, management, and growth of SCI’s partnerships with influential organizations in the clean cooking, renewable energy, environmental, and health sectors and in the United Nations System. Given the scale and complexity of the access to clean cooking, this role is a critical component of SCI’s growth and success in reaching the 2.4 billion people cooking with polluting fuels. The successful candidate will work with SCI staff to enhance current efforts and launch new endeavors for achieving SCI’s mission.

The level of the position hired (Coordinator or Manager) will be determined by the successful candidate’s experience level and skills. If hired as the Strategic Partnership Coordinator, there is the opportunity to grow into a Manager role as more experience is gained and resources allow. If a candidate has qualifying experience and skills, they could be hired immediately as a Strategic Partnership Manager. There would be more responsibility for strategy, analysis, ownership, and partnership growth in a Manager position.

The SPC/SPM will help develop and execute the partnership strategy and SCI’s operational plans and develop and own relationships with influential organizations in the clean cooking renewable energy, health, and environmental sectors and the United Nations System. The SPC/SPM will work cross-functionally with SCI staff in communications, program, development, administration, and research to implement SCI’s mission.  This position will receive direct supervision from the Executive Director. A candidate who takes initiative and responsibility and has strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to position partnership, consultancy, and fundraising discussions at the strategic level, will be a good fit for the organizational culture.

Essential Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the duties described below are examples and are not exclusive or all-inclusive:

• Plan, develop, and implement the strategic partnership program by identifying and pursuing potential partnerships, consultancy, and funding opportunities. Manage the program and take timely steps toward relationship building and solicitations.
• Establish ongoing relationships with influential organizations such as the World Bank, United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network, the Clean Cooking Alliance, the World Health Organization, country governments, and USAID; coordinate and conduct regular communications through mailings, phone calls, meetings, and events.
• Implement and contribute to SCI’s 5-year Strategic Plan and Annual Operational Plan.
• Give presentations
• Organize and/or participate in events and/or webinars, including inviting appropriate guest speakers.
• Represent SCI by participating in working groups, conferences, events, and meetings.
• Integrate with and cross-promote SCI programs and services such as the SCI Association, data sharing, and Performance Evaluation Process testing.
• Seek cross-departmental input to develop tailored proposals for new partnership opportunities.
• Draft proposals for specific opportunities including funding, event participation, etc.
• Identify, pursue, secure, and implement consultancy opportunities.
• Utilize positive media opportunities to strengthen organizational relationships.
• Facilitate meetings and opportunities with SCI’s working groups, Global Advisors, and other solar cooking groups.
• Explore carbon credits and carbon offsets as a potential SCI funding source and a mechanism to increase solar cooker use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Conduct cost/benefit analysis of various partnership and consultancy activities.
• Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of strategic partnership approaches; identify opportunities for improvement and review with the Executive Director.
• Manage volunteers and interns as needed.
• Navigate the United Nations system to effectively facilitate SCI representation and participation for example by applying for United Nations (UN) grounds passes and participation in UN events.
• Provide input to the Executive Director regarding the annual budget cycle by identifying and predicting income sources and amounts, and strategizing opportunities for growth and the steps to achieve that growth.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Major aspects of strategic partnership development, including an understanding of partner relationships.
• Importance of sustainable and accessible solutions to global energy access and health challenges related to cooking.
• Key organizations in the clean cooking, renewable energy, environmental, and health sectors: what motivates them, how they operate, and how to integrate with them.

• • Key components and legal language for drafting partnership agreements, such as Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) - within the United States and with organizations based in other countries.

• Written and oral communication techniques and methodologies.

Ability to:

• Build relationships and collaborate with influential organizations in the renewable energy, environment, health, and clean cooking sectors and the United Nations System.
• Prioritize, plan, schedule, and coordinate work activities necessary to fulfill responsibilities.
• Effectively ask for external financial support for SCI to accomplish its mission.
• Provide excellent project management skills with a proven history of initiating, managing, and delivering successful engagements.
• Develop and deliver compelling executive-level presentations.
• Write and edit clear, concise, compelling proposals, status reports, and applications.
• Conduct partner and consultancy research and evaluation (accessing information about, and methods for, contacting potential partners).

This is a full-time position. The coordinator position would be compensated hourly within the range of $48,000 to $62,000 annually. The manager position’s compensation would be salary based, paying in the range of $63,000 - $73,000 annually. Compensation is based on experience. For full-time employees, SCI covers up to $622/month towards health insurance premiums, life insurance, paid vacation, 80 hours of sick leave/year, twelve paid holidays, and other benefits. Paid vacation begins accruing at a rate of 80 hours a year and increases up to 160 hours a year based on tenure with SCI.  Based on the employee’s location and the applicable state laws, there could be additional remote work benefits as well.

This is a new position which is available immediately.

Application instructions

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the US.

In one email, submit a resume or CV, and a cover letter with salary requirements, to Caitlyn Hughes, Executive Director, at [email protected]. Candidates are responsible for ensuring receipt of application materials.

Please be sure to indicate that you saw this position on Globaljobs.org