Senior Associate

Job Description:

Title: Philippine Energy Lead – SEA Energy Program 

Application Instructions

Please ensure you have read the entire announcement below before submitting an application. 

Be prepared to upload (1) a resume and (2) a cover letter, both documents are required. The first page of the online application will allow you to attach your resume. The second page of the online application will allow you to upload additional documents. Candidates who do not provide a compelling answer to the question "Why do you want to work at Rocky Mountain Institute" in their cover letter may not be considered. Additionally, incomplete application materials (for example, a missing cover letter) may not be considered. 

Due to the large number of applications received, RMI is not able to respond to every applicant. We will be in contact with applicants moving to the interview stage. 

If you experience technical difficulties submitting your application or uploading your documents, please email: talentacquisition@rmi.org 

RMI is an equal opportunity employer. No phone calls please. 

Location 

Manila, the Philippines 

About Rocky Mountain Institute 

Rocky Mountain Institute transforms global energy use to create a clean, prosperous, and secure low-carbon future. That is our mission. That is our passion. And every day, every member of our team of nearly 200, works tirelessly to achieve that mission. We are driving the global energy transition from fossil fuels to efficiency and renewables by working in partnership with governments, businesses, communities, institutions, and entrepreneurs to advance market-based solutions. We achieve this by developing breakthrough ideas, testing and refining them, reshaping markets, and bringing solutions to scale. RMI is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an annual budget of $50 million and offices in Abuja, Nigeria; Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing. www.rmi.org. 

With an independent, objective, and fact-based approach, RMI brings experience gained from engagements with governments and utilities in developing economies to solve the toughest energy challenges. 

About RMI’s Southeast Asia (SEA) Energy Program 

With an independent, objective, and fact-based approach, RMI’s Southeast Asia (SEA) Energy Program, working within the umbrella Global South Program, brings experience gained from engagements with regional governments, utilities, corporations, financial institutions, project developers, technology companies, and industry experts to solve the toughest energy challenges. 

The Role 

Philippine Energy Lead

Overview 

RMI is seeking a talented, dynamic and experienced Philippines Energy Lead to support RMI’s work to improve and expand energy access and cost-effective use of distributed energy resources in the Philippines. This professional will play a leading role in programmatic efforts in the Philippines, with the opportunity to also support work on the energy transformation across Southeast Asia. 

The Energy Lead will firmly establish the organization as an independent thought and implementation leader by driving energy transitions from traditional and often polluting and expensive energy infrastructure to clean, affordable, and resilient energy resources. 

This position reports to the Southeast Asia Regional Director and collaborates closely with the regional and country -based program leadership to execute RMI’s programmatic strategies in the Philippines. 

The ideal candidate will need to be based in the Philippines. The Energy Lead will serve as RMI’s primary representative to stakeholders in the Philippines, including leaders from across government, development partners, and the private sector. They will also coordinate different programs and initiatives internally within RMI cross-team, support project work across the Philippines, including by providing technical expertise, content development, share learning, coordinate and collaborate, clearly communicate in country development to various stakeholders, and potentially management of small teams. The Energy Lead may also play a role in pursuing funding, through philanthropic, government, and collaboration revenue. 

RMI has a well-established reputation and extensive capabilities in designing and executing collaborative problem solving and solution scaling teams. We seek a highly creative, entrepreneurial yet deeply and broadly experienced energy professional to join our team and shape the fastest growing energy sectors in the world. 

This is a full-time contractor position with an initial contract term of 12 months. Based on performance and budget, the position could be converted to full-time employment with RMI. 

Specific Roles and Responsibilities 

• Build and manage relationships with key senior stakeholders in the Philippines. 

• Contribute to project execution and coordination. 

• Support conversations with prospective and existing donors and funders. 

• Synthesize research and lessons learned to influence key stakeholders. 

• Collaborate with the regional director, program managers and across all levels of RMI Southeast Asia team to support project selection and planning, and to develop the organization’s expertise and reputation in energy systems in the Philippines. 

• Build RMI’s network and identify new projects, and shape and deliver collaborative efforts with governments, development partners, and the private sector the Philippines. 

• Contribute to RMI’s energy expertise through thought leadership, developing innovative approaches for holistic energy system development such as new business models for energy and energy service providers, and respectfully challenge current approaches. 

• Identify and shape specific program initiatives and projects, with internal RMI team and other senior professionals, focusing on topics such as national-level energy planning, solar and battery system cost reduction, energy efficiency for increased access, and targeted capacity building. 

• Demonstrate organizational leadership, helping set a culture of impact, accountability, and entrepreneurship. 

• Travel up to 35% of the time, including occasional travel within Philippines and Southeast Asia region, as well as to RMI’s offices in the United States on an annual basis. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

Initially an independent contributor, with potential expansion to supervise local staff 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited university in science, engineering, policy, economics, or other relevant field. 

• At least 5 years of energy transition work experience with an emphasis on power/energy efficiency/clean technology sectors.

• Excellent interpersonal communication abilities in written, verbal, and presentation forms, demonstrating humble confidence.

• Independent work style, comfortable self-managing multiple priorities and workstreams concurrently, with the ability to drive projects forward despite ambiguity.

• Proven track-record of delivering against deadlines and reliably delivering outcomes.

• Established network in the Philippines energy sector, particularly with senior stakeholders in government, private and development sector 

• Ability to engage with leaders from local and international partners in a respectful and appropriate manner, including eloquent and compelling speaking and writing 

• Ability and interest in working with colleagues across a broad range of energy-related topics in Southeast Asia and developing economies worldwide 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Graduate degree in science, engineering, policy, economics, or other relevant field. 

• Deep understanding of energy systems on a technical, financial, and political basis, ideally grounded with experience in Southeast Asia 

• Proven track record in local, regional and international multi-stakeholder engagement, as well as building and maintaining strategic networks 

• A strong creative streak with proven ability to find new and impactful approaches, influence others’ thinking, and demonstrate entrepreneurial leadership 

RMI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.