Sr. Principal Specialist / Lead Specialist, Clean Energy

City/Country Location Details Bethesda, Maryland

Employment Status

Job Type Corporate

Job Title Sr. Principal Specialist / Lead Specialist, Clean Energy

Grade: P8/P9

Department: USG, Development Innovations

Reports to: Senior Director, Water and Energy

Date : May 2024

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Colombia, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social, environmental, and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

Position Overview:

The Environment and Energy Sector provides technical leadership and implementation support to international field-based USAID programs in the areas of climate change, clean energy, green/circular economy, water and natural resources management, climate finance, ocean plastics, and just transition with flagship USAID projects in countries such as Colombia, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Vietnam, and the West Africa region.The Sr. Principal / Lead Specialist, Clean Energy will be based in the Environment and Energy Sector and provide strategic and technical support to the delivery of DAI’s clean energy activities, expand DAI’s portfolio of energy projects, and advance thought leadership based on DAI project results and tools. DAI has a dynamic portfolio of energy and climate projects across donors that focus on clean energy, energy security, energy sector governance, energy finance, and private sector engagement. The Senior/Lead Specialist will be responsible for leading and supporting new business efforts, implementing technical solutions, and supporting program implementation and competitive positioning. Under the leadership of the Water and Energy Senior Director, this position is responsible for delivering superior technical support on proposals, growing DAI’s market share in clean energy, and building a network that connects DAI projects, staff, and clients. The Principal / Lead Specialist will collaborate with other specialists across USG sectors and regions and other client facing business units to improve DAI’s competitiveness.

The Specialist may spend up to 20% of his or her time traveling internationally to support business development efforts and projects around the world.

This is a full-time, permanent position. U.S. work authorization is required. Hybrid work arrangement is preferred; fully remote will be considered in certain circumstances and locations.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Competitive Positioning

• Market and raise the profile of the DAI’s clean energy services and portfolio through client and partner interaction.

• Enhance DAI’s brand with our clients by advancing DAI’s technical reputation in clean energy through participation in conferences, events and seminars, and writing articles and social media posts.

• Identify new trends, capture technical achievements, conduct research, synthesize information and evidence; package and present technical work to diverse and non-expert audiences.

Program Implementation

• Lead or support delivery of energy activities by providing specialized technical assistance that advances clean energy, energy security, sector governance, energy finance, and private sector engagement.

• Directly support project teams to identify, adapt, and refine clean energy technologies, tools, and approaches that provide cost effective solutions to optimize development results.

• Support DAI projects with program strategy, work planning, technical start-up, activity implementation, and developing technical tools and solutions that help achieve program objectives and exceed client expectations.

Business Development and Growth

• Lead contributions to the development and assessment of the Environment and Energy Sector’s new business pipeline.

• Lead and/or support proposal development teams to define a win strategy, conduct in-country capture trips, establish key partnerships, and write high-quality winning technical proposals.

• Provide leadership in the development of strategies, products, and services to increase DAI´s portfolio in clean energy.

• Build and grow strategic client relationships, especially with USAID.

• Leverage networks to identify clean energyexperts and partners for strategy development, bids, and projects.

• Coordinate with and support DAI colleagues pursuing UK, EU, and corporate client work in related technical areas.

Additional responsibilities as deemed necessary.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

P9:Minimum of 11 years of relevant professional experience and a bachelor’s degree; or 10 years of relevant professional experience and a master’s degree.

P8: Minimum of 9 years of relevant professional and technical experience and a college degree; 5 years of relevant professional experience and a master’s degree.

• Demonstrated programimplementation and/or management experience in the energy sector in developing country contexts. Relevant areas include: renewable energy, energy sector reform, electric mobility, GHG and/or air quality management, climate change mitigation, infrastructure, urban planning, carbon markets, climate finance, or other relevant areas.

• Demonstrated experience working with a range of program partners, including government agencies (USG and host country), donors, regulatory bodies, utilities, the private sector, NGOs, civil society, and consumers

• Able to work effectively across technical areas, to develop technical approaches that integrate or leverage resources in different parts of the company.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize assignments and manage multiple deadlines.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex or technical information clearly, and tailor communication style to diverse audiences.

• Able to build and maintain excellent working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and external clients from diverse backgrounds.

• Able and willing to travel to any country where DAI currently operates or may wish to operate, barring times when DAI Global Security has deemed travel unsafe.

• At the P9 level and preferred for the P8 level: some experience writing strong technical proposals for USAID or other international donor clients,including designing technical solutions, building consortiums, writing technical sections and/or leading proposal development.

Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working with USAID Washington and/or USAID Missions on clean energy and climate change programming.

• Demonstrated ability to work with and lead teams for winning new business and delivering excellent results to clients.

• Experience working overseas, particularly in conflict or post-conflict countries.

• Demonstrated, relevant new business success with DAI’s primary client, USAID.

• Proficiency in a second language (French, Spanish or Arabic preferred).

Supervisory Requirements:None.

Compensation & Benefits:

Grade 8:For employees working in the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $136,406 to $167,743.

Grade 9:For employees working in the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $155,946 to $190,600.

Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, Grade level, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Eligible U.S. based employees, will be able to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, parental leave; as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.

For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

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