Country Delivery Lead, Brazil

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) brings together philanthropy including the IKEA Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund, governments, technology, policy and development partners, and the private sector to tackle the twin challenges of energy access and transition in emerging and developing countries. By 2030, we aim to expand clean energy access to one billion people, enable 150 million new jobs and reduce 4 gigatons of future carbon emissions. We believe clean energy is development: without it, every other form of progress is undermined so we’re building a movement to unlock a new era of inclusive green economic growth that accelerates universal energy access while enabling the global community to meet critical climate goals during the next decade.  

Context:

GEAPP is continuing to build its capacity to execute as an independent organization, working directly in key markets to support country-led energy transitions, energy access to spur socioeconomic development.

In Brazil, GEAPP will engage with a diverse array of partners to promote the productive use of electricity (PUE), focusing particularly on decarbonizing energy systems and improving clean energy access within the Amazon region's agricultural value chains and small-scale industries. By providing catalytic capital and technical support, GEAPP aims to facilitate the transition from diesel to renewable energy sources, supporting job creation and de-risking private sector investments.

With the upcoming COP30 in Brazil, these efforts take on an enhanced significance as it offers GEAPP an exceptional platform to highlight its achievements in Brazil as exemplary models for replication throughout the region. It also provides an opportunity to strengthen our collaborative efforts, essential for integrating and scaling clean energy solutions and advancing Brazil’s energy transition goals.

These partnering efforts are crucial for integrating and scaling renewable energy solutions across the country, contributing significantly to Brazil’s broader energy transition goals.

About the Role:

The Country Delivery Lead for Brazil will bring extensive experience in structuring energy projects, possess a thorough understanding of Brazil's governmental energy programs, and have a proven track record in forging and sustaining strategic alliances. The candidate should also bring a strong background in successfully deploying Productive Use of Energy (PUE) initiatives within communities, focusing on projects that use clean energy to drive economic development and enhance local livelihoods.

The role will be based in Brazil, preferably in Brasilia DF, though other locations within the country may be considered.

Accountabilities:

The Country Delivery Lead's responsibilities will include:

1. Strategic development and implementation:

• Lead the creation and execution of a country strategy for Brazil that aligns with GEAPP’s global objectives and local priorities.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
• Map out current energy supply sources and demand and identify gaps where Productive Use of Energy (PUE) initiatives can be most effective.
• Evaluate the potential for implementing PUE initiatives to measure progress toward enhancing economic independence through sustainable energy solutions.
• Support GEAPP’s communications initiatives in Brazil to establish its reputation as a crucial energy sector convener in the country and region. As needed, translate critical global content into Portuguese.

      2. Project Design and Management:

• Play an active role in the design of energy access projects
• Provide expert technical support to ensure high-quality implementation, overseeing all aspects of project execution to ensure alignment with GEAPP goals.
• Building on the country strategy, develop detailed work proposals and approaches that optimize the impact of GEAPP’s catalytic funding.
• Identify gaps, delays, or potential risks to the program, and propose mitigation actions as well as improvement and adjustments as and when needs arise.
• Provide local knowledge and global expertise to ensure projects are effective, sustainable, and aligned with Brazil's national energy policies, leveraging local insights to maintain compliance and capitalize on strategic opportunities.
• Support data collection and collation to facilitate monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL).

      3. Partnership Development and Engagement:

• Cultivate and deepen relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, utilities and other private sector leaders, financial institutions, international donors, and NGOs to forge a coalition aimed at driving and expanding solutions for economic development, decarbonization and job creation.
• Focus on building partnerships that bring in expertise, funding, and advocacy power to support broad-reaching energy initia This might include preparing materials for global/regional partnership building and/or fundraising efforts.
• Act as the primary liaison for technical cooperation agreements with government agencies, ensuring that GEAPP’s initiatives align with national goals.
• Regularly convening with government representatives, setting agendas, preparing detailed presentations and work plans.
• Support GEAPP’s strategic objectives at COP30 and other events in the country, by helping to plan and execute participation in the conference. This includes coordinating the presentation of impactful case studies and the demonstration of project replicability. It also includes:
  • Assisting in developing a strategic plan that uses COP30 as a pivotal platform to amplify GEAPP’s achievements, attract global partners, and influence energy policies across the region.
  • Coordinate logistics for GEAPP’s participation in events in the country, starting with COP30.

Deliverables: 

The Country Lead will produce the following deliverables:

• Join weekly meetings with GEAPP team members, including progress updates on Brazil program implementation and MEL data.
• Regular progress reports on strategy implementation and project outcomes.
• Strategic plans and partnership agreements.
• Presentations at local and regional forums to share insights and outcomes.
• Inputs to project scoping and concept documents, as needed. 

Education, Experience, and Skills:

• Strong network in the energy sector in Brazil including, among others, government, civil society, and electricity distribution utilities.
• An advanced degree with a concentration in economics, development, engineering, energy or related fields.
• At least 7+ years of relevant experience, including in senior roles overseeing design & delivery teams, coordinating partners, and driving strategy.
• Proven project management experience in the energy, agriculture, or industrial sectors; experience with projects and/or companies working in renewable energy, productive uses of energy or demand stimulation desired.
• Previous experience working in energy access and/in the Amazonia legal will be valued.
• Ability to analyse complex data and develop strategic plans, budgets, and timelines for the deployment of GEAPP’s country strategies in Brazil. Demonstrates a keen ability to align these plans with the organization's overarching vision and objectives, ensuring the successful achievement of key goals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and ability to conduct business in both Portuguese and English. Ability to represent GEAPP at high-level forums and effectively communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences. Proficiency in Spanish is desirable.
• Demonstrates a creative and innovative approach to work, equipped with strong problem-solving skills. Takes initiative, drives for results, effectively prioritizes tasks, and proactively communicates issues while proposing appropriate solutions.
• Experience in a complex, fast-paced, and highly professional role, within a highly collaborative, dynamic organization and in an entrepreneurial environment building strategies, programs, and processes.
• Ability to convene multi-partner groups and drive effective collaboration.
• Ability to identify, prioritize and manage project development and partnership opportunities.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively, more than 50% of the time, which includes frequent visits to rural and remote areas. Travel may often be for extended periods, to ensure close involvement with local project sites and direct engagement with community stakeholders and partners.
• Lead special projects as directed by their supervisor.

Competencies:

• Sector knowledge: Up-to-date understanding of the dynamics of energy access, electrification, energy transitions, and renewable energy systems in Brazil.
• Project Development: Experience identifying, assessing, and proposing potential project development opportunities in any sector.
• Partnership development: Experience developing partnerships with governments, multilateral and private sector players.
• Project Management and execution: High operational and proactive project management ability. Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and work under pressure; with a keen eye for detail. Sense of urgency and responsibility, flexible work style; a self-started who can work independently as well as in and across teams. Sound, mature judgment, integrity, and respect for others.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: Ability to identify opportunities that would support GEAPP, our partners and our investees in meeting the goals and ambition of ending energy poverty.
• Passion and Optimism: Deep enthusiasm for the mission and people of GEAPP; entrepreneurial energy around connecting an engaged team with the overall impact of GEAPP’s work.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Committed to GEAPP’s mission, to inclusion, equity and diversity in every aspect of the work, and to challenging conventional wisdom through evidence, reason, and amplifying dissenting, unconventional, and marginalized voices.

We operate from a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do. It is not only the right thing to do – we could not make an impact without our team members' diverse perspectives and experiences. We expect all GEAPP employees to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent, challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason, and amplifying marginalized voices.  

 GEAPP LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the organization ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, or liability for service in the United States Armed Forces.  

GEAPP LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.