The Role

CLASP is a global non-profit and leading authority on energy-efficient appliances, with 25 years of experience advancing climate and development goals in over 90 countries. With offices in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the U.S., CLASP collaborates with policymakers and industry leaders to drive sustainable, inclusive impact worldwide. Find out more about CLASP.

CLASP’s Clean Energy Access (CEA) programs expand global access to clean energy through efficient, affordable appliances. Operating across South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, CLASP partners with diverse stakeholders to support off-grid solar markets, empower energy-poor communities, and build climate resilience.

About the role

CLASP is seeking a visionary leader to serve as Senior Director, Clean Energy Access, guiding a global team advancing universal energy access through energy-efficient appliances. Based in Nairobi, the role oversees a diverse team across Nairobi, New Delhi, and Washington, DC, with potential for further expansion. The Senior Director has full accountability for CLASP’s energy access strategy, including evolution, implementation, monitoring, business development, and external representation. Key responsibilities include designing high-impact programs, expanding global initiatives, cultivating partnerships with governments, funders, market actors, and financial institutions, and translating market insights into actionable outcomes.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in energy access, demonstrated through program delivery, thought leadership, business development, and team management, supported by a strong network across energy, finance, and related sectors. A technically sound, entrepreneurial mindset is essential, combining sector passion with a “doer” approach to innovation, resource mobilization, and execution.

The role requires navigating complex global contexts, interpreting trends, building coalitions, and leading teams to deliver measurable outcomes. The Senior Director will oversee a portfolio focused on reducing climate vulnerability and driving economic development in energy-constrained communities.

Reporting to the Chief Strategy & Impacts Officer and serving on CLASP’s Senior Leadership Council, the role involves collaboration with senior leaders across the organization and extensive international travel. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a high-performing global team, inspire others, influence stakeholders, and drive systemic change in the energy access sector.

Key dimensions of the role

The Senior Director, based in Nairobi, Kenya, will have responsibilities including, but not limited to:

Strategy

Evolve strategy: Interpret context, identify approaches and partnerships, align with CLASP’s climate strategies, and guide the evolution of Clean Energy Access strategy.
Strategic alignment: Work with program teams to ensure shared understanding of strategy, goals, and implementation.

Program Design & Implementation

Develop and oversee programs: Ensure effective delivery, resource allocation, partnerships, and communications across the energy access portfolio.
Track impacts: Define metrics, monitor progress, identify improvements, and communicate results with the MEL team.

Business Development

Identify opportunities: Collaborate with leadership and program teams to explore new funding, strengthen relationships, and lead business development efforts.
Proposals: Develop concept notes, funding proposals, and presentations for prospective funders.

Thought Leadership & Communications

External representation: Serve as a spokesperson on energy access strategy, portfolio, and impacts.
Research and communications: Identify evidence gaps, prioritize research, guide product development, and present CLASP research at global forums.

Team Management

Lead high-performing teams: Support Regional Directors in building, developing, and recruiting clean energy access teams.
Backstop: Provide technical and managerial support to ensure consistent, high-quality program delivery.

Representation & Senior Leadership

Enhance CLASP’s global brand: Provide strategic oversight and identify opportunities for partnerships and impact.
Organizational leadership: Contribute to organization-wide priorities and serve as a senior leadership ambassador.

Skills and experience

The ideal candidate will possess, but is not limited to:

Bachelor’s degree required; a graduate degree in a relevant field.
15+ years’ leadership in international program design, implementation, and oversight, including budget management, with strong experience in Africa.
Deep expertise in clean energy access, especially off-grid or weak-grid contexts; knowledge of energy policy, finance, or technology a plus.
Proven success in fundraising and building high-impact partnerships with donors, governments, and private sector.
Strong communication skills - able to inspire, engage, and represent the organization at senior levels.
Entrepreneurial, strategic thinker who balances big-picture vision with practical execution.
Fluency in English; additional languages advantageous.

The Senior Director, Clean Energy Access, will be a trusted partner, driving results while building strong teams. Key attributes include:

Collaborative team leader and coach, empowering high-performing teams and developing others.
Skilled at managing mid-level managers and navigating senior-level partnerships.
Strategic, entrepreneurial, and adaptive, thriving in ambiguity and delivering innovative solutions.
Experienced in multi-country programs with strong systems thinking and operational rigor.
Mission-driven, humble, resilient, emotionally intelligent, and adaptable.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that individuals from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for roles unless they meet every listed qualification. At Millar Cameron, we are committed to supporting our clients in building diverse and inclusive teams. If you’re enthusiastic about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply - you could be exactly what our client is looking for, either for this position or another.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are only able to respond to candidates who are shortlisted for the next stage of the process. We sincerely appreciate your interest and the time taken to apply.

Since 2007 Millar Cameron has specialised in sourcing leadership and keyperson talent across a number of industries, including agribusiness, international development, industrial, consumer, financial and professional services, private equity, and technology, media and telecommunications. Our mission and purpose is to positively contribute to the development of Africa, and other emerging markets, through the provision of people.