Job Description

Energy Access Programme Lead (Malawi)

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Africa

Reporting To: TBC

Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.

High-Level Overview

Project:
The client is seeking a Programme Lead to provide strategic leadership and overall delivery oversight for an energy access programme in Malawi under Mission 300. The role will be accountable for setting programme direction, ensuring alignment with national priorities, and leading the coordinated delivery of technical workstreams across policy, technical delivery, financing, and MEL. This position presents a significant opportunity to support sector reform, strengthen institutional capacity, and accelerate progress toward expanded and inclusive energy access. The ideal candidate will bring extensive leadership experience in energy sector programmes, with a proven track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives and delivering results in emerging market contexts.

Role and Responsibilities

Role: Energy Access Programme Lead(Malawi)
Direct Report: TBC
Candidates Required: 1

Key Deliverables:

• Provide strategic oversight and technical guidance on the development and refinement of national policies, strategies, and implementation plans related to energy access and associated sector priorities, ensuring alignment with government objectives
• Oversee end-to-end programme design and implementation, including planning, prioritisation, and execution of activities, while managing and coordinating technical experts across policy, technical delivery, financing, and MEL workstreams to ensure integrated and coherent outputs
• Lead stakeholder coordination and high-level engagement with government institutions, development partners, private sector actors, and other key stakeholders to align priorities, unblock implementation challenges, and mobilise support for programme objectives
• Guide monitoring, learning, and reporting processes, ensuring robust tracking of progress against targets, synthesis of insights, and translation of evidence into actionable recommendations to inform adaptive programme management and decision-making
• Lead capacity-building and institutional strengthening efforts by mentoring counterparts, facilitating knowledge transfer, and embedding practical tools, frameworks, and approaches to support long-term sustainability of programme outcomes.

Requirements

Experience Required:

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in energy, energy access, or related development programmes
• Demonstrated experience leading complex programmes in low- or middle-income country contexts
• Proven track record managing multi-disciplinary teams and coordinating across technical workstreams
• Experience working with government stakeholders on energy policy, sector reform, or energy access initiatives
• Background in donor-funded or multi-partner programme environments

Technical Requirements:

• Strong understanding of energy sector dynamics, including clean cooking and decentralised energy systems
• Ability to oversee programme strategy, implementation planning, and performance management
• Experience in governance, stakeholder coordination, and programme risk management
• Capacity to guide integration of policy, technical, financial, and MEL components

Other Skills:

• Strong leadership and decision-making capability in complex environments
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior levels
• Ability to operate effectively under ambiguity and evolving programme conditions
• Clear communication and high-quality reporting skills

Working Arrangement
Location: Malawi
Travel: Periodic travel within Malawi as required for stakeholder engagement and programme oversight

Terms of agreement:
Start Date: June 2026
Contracting Period: 12 months