Location London
Job-type Contract
Salary £Competitive
Reference ACRE-12450

Location - London or in operating markets in Africa or India. There will be regular travel to Africa / India / UK

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Flexible working - the role may be done on a full-time basis or part-time, working flexibly. Please note this is a 12 to 14 month interim role.

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Acre is working in partnership with the Shell Foundation (SF). SF is a UK-registered charity dedicated to empowering underserved populations in Africa and Asia with access to clean energy products and services. As a unique foundation globally, SF utilises grant, debt, and equity funding to support commercially sustainable solutions at the intersection of inclusive growth and a clean energy transition. SF's work has positively impacted the lives of 229 million people. By 2033, SF aims to enable 60 million people to achieve a living income through clean energy products and services.

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SF is seeking an Interim Director of Solutions for Women and Marginalised Groups for a 12-14 month maternity cover to lead efforts in delivering commitments by 2027. This role requires an experienced professional with extensive experience in designing and implementing programs that uplift low-income women in Africa and South Asia. The successful candidate will spearhead innovative strategies, providing strategic support to investors to adopt gender-inclusive approaches within their investment strategies.

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Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement a roadmap to fulfil SF's five-year commitments, building organisational capacity and ensuring resource deployment aligns with impact targets.

  • Cultivate a portfolio of impactful business and financial solutions for women and low-income consumers.

  • Forge collaborative partnerships with investors, donors, corporates, and NGOs committed to funding solutions for marginalised groups.

  • Provide mentorship, training, and support to staff and partners for gender-intentional and inclusive initiatives.

  • Participate in investment decision-making processes to optimise impact for women and marginalised communities.

  • Support program teams in conducting robust DE&I assessments and incorporating gender-intentional design into projects.

  • Integrate data-led reporting and establish monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress towards commitments.

  • Commission research for data-driven insights to inform program design and decision-making.

  • Develop advocacy messaging to position SF as a thought-leader at the gender/climate nexus.

  • Manage strategic projects, including complex multi-stakeholder initiatives.

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The ideal candidate will have:

  • Extensive experience in program management of women's livelihoods programs, including income generation, digital/financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and market access initiatives.

  • Proven track record of achieving impactful program goals in emerging markets.

  • In-depth knowledge of gender mainstreaming principles and intersectional approaches.

  • Technical expertise in innovative approaches to support income generation for low-income women.

  • Familiarity with global development frameworks related to gender, inclusion, and women's economic empowerment.

  • Strong understanding of market-based solutions, preferably in agriculture and micro-entrepreneurship.

  • Demonstrated ability to establish partnerships between donors and the private sector.

  • Leadership skills, collaborative mindset, and excellent relationship-building abilities.

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills adaptable to diverse stakeholders.

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If you are passionate about driving impactful change for women and marginalised groups and possess the qualifications and skills outlined above, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your CV to Jesse Harford at jesse.harford@acre.com.