Private Sector Engagement Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent research organization that focuses on improving people's lives, protecting and restoring nature, and stabilizing the climate. Established with a mission to influence policy and catalyze change across various systems, WRI operates in more than a dozen focus countries and collaborates with partners in over 50 nations. With a workforce of over 2,000 employees, WRI leverages its data, expertise, and global reach to address critical issues related to food, land, water, energy, and urban development. The organization is committed to advancing gender and social equity, ensuring that all qualified applicants receive equal consideration for employment regardless of their background. WRI's core values include Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership, and Care, which guide its operations and interactions with stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The Private Sector Engagement Specialist will play a pivotal role in mobilizing and engaging private sector stakeholders to foster partnerships and support investment in the e-mobility ecosystem in Kenya. Reporting to the Project Stakeholder Engagement Lead, the specialist will be responsible for building strategic partnerships with key private sector players, including manufacturers, assemblers, and charging infrastructure providers. This position is crucial for developing a robust market for electric two- and three-wheelers in Kenya, which is essential for achieving the project's goals of reducing emissions, improving air quality, and creating green jobs. The specialist will also facilitate collaboration between private entities and project stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and advocacy efforts to highlight the contributions of the private sector to emission reductions and industry growth. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for private sector involvement and addressing barriers to investment in the e-mobility sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Private Sector Engagement Specialist include:

• Private Sector Engagement and Partnership Development (50%): - Identify, engage, and build partnerships with key private sector stakeholders, including manufacturers, assemblers, charging infrastructure providers, and battery management companies. - Facilitate collaboration between private entities and project stakeholders, including WRI, Africa Guarantee Fund (AGF), and government partners. - Develop strategic partnerships that enhance the uptake of small e-vehicles. - Conduct outreach and engagement with key stakeholders to support communication and advocacy efforts that highlight private sector contributions and project impacts in emission reductions, job creation, and industry growth.
• Investment Facilitation and Financial Mobilization (40%): - Support the deployment of financial instruments to catalyze debt financing facilities for mobilizing private sector investment. - Engage with financial institutions to promote loan portfolio guarantees aimed at financing electric two- and three-wheelers. - Collaborate with AGF to ensure successful mobilization of debt financing and leverage private sector resources. - Conduct market assessments to identify barriers and opportunities in the e-mobility ecosystem, focusing on increasing private sector involvement. - Support capacity-building initiatives for private sector stakeholders to promote local manufacturing, assembly, and battery management. - Provide technical input for developing standards, best practices, and incentives for sustainable e-mobility. - Advocate for policies that address market barriers, such as high upfront costs and limited access to financing for electric vehicle purchases. - Support the project’s technical assistance team in aligning policy interventions with private sector needs and priorities.
• Monitoring, Reporting, and Learning (10%): - Develop and implement a framework for monitoring private sector engagement and investment outcomes. - Prepare regular reports on private sector engagement activities, challenges, and successes.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Private Sector Engagement Specialist position include: - A completed bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, or a related field. Relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree. - A minimum of 6 years of full-time relevant work experience, particularly in working with diverse stakeholders, including private sector players, financial institutions, community groups, and government agencies, preferably in the clean energy, e-mobility, or sustainable transport sectors. - A proven track record in research, community engagement, and facilitating partnerships or investments in Kenya. - Experience engaging effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, from local communities to high-level institutional partners. - Proven ability to translate complex technical or financial concepts into clear, actionable language in both English and Swahili. - Strong research and analysis skills, with experience conducting market studies, identifying barriers to private sector participation, and recommending practical, context-sensitive solutions. - Demonstrable understanding of Kenya’s socio-economic landscape, business environment, regulatory frameworks, and community dynamics, especially as they relate to clean energy and sustainable mobility. - Familiarity with Kenya’s business environment, regulatory framework, and e-mobility ecosystem is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a completed bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, or a related field. Candidates with relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a formal degree, indicating that practical experience is valued alongside academic qualifications.

Experience:
Candidates should possess at least 6 years of full-time relevant work experience. This experience should involve working with a variety of stakeholders, including private sector players, financial institutions, community groups, and government agencies. Preference will be given to those with experience in the clean energy, e-mobility, or sustainable transport sectors, as well as a proven track record in research, community engagement, and facilitating partnerships or investments in Kenya.

Languages:
Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, written and spoken proficiency in French is considered desirable, which may enhance communication with a broader range of stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is a hybrid role, requiring 8 days per month in the office located in Nairobi. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission, as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work authorization for this position. The potential salary will be commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. Interested candidates should submit a resume along with a cover letter by the deadline of 2 October 202

• It is important to note that the application process may close earlier if a high volume of qualified applications is received. Candidates must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered for this position.