Senior Associate - Energy

Company Description: Systemiq is a system-change company committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement by transforming markets and business models across five key systems: nature and food, materials and circularity, energy, urban areas, and sustainable finance.

As a certified B Corp, we combine strategic advisory with high-impact, on-the-ground work, partnering with business, finance, policymakers and civil society to deliver system change. With offices across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, we are dedicated exclusively to sustainability-focused work.

What we do

The Energy platform works to decarbonise power, industry and the built environment. In East Africa, we work with governments, industry and finance to cut emissions from cement, concrete and construction while supporting growth, jobs and affordable housing. You will help build this presence from Nairobi.

The kind of work you will do

This role will support the delivery of a global initiative to scale blended cement, focusing on building African government ambition and implementation capacity. It is an exciting opportunity to work closely with governments and industry to implement public procurement for blended cement, and work to raise the profile of blended cement with the global agenda, building towards COP32 in Ethiopia. You will:

Work with government: support ministries, regulators and public agencies to design and deliver policies for low-carbon construction materials, and write and present policy briefings.

Shape procurement: help public and private buyers build low-carbon requirements into tenders, standards and procurement plans.

Engage industry: work with cement, concrete and construction companies, developers and financiers on practical decarbonisation pathways.

Analyse and synthesise: gather data, run analyses and turn findings into clear recommendations and storylines.

Manage stakeholders: build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, and prepare and lead parts of meetings and workshops.

Build the regional presence: spot new opportunities, represent Systemiq at regional events and support business development.

The mindset, skills and experience we are looking for

You have proven yourself in different contexts and want to help build Systemiq's work in East Africa. You are inspired by our mission and approach to system change.

Essential

3 to 6 years in strategy consulting, government advisory, development finance, or a policy or programme role, ideally with an energy, industry or infrastructure focus.

A Master's degree or equivalent experience.

Experience working with government, including writing and delivering policy briefings.

Experience with procurement processes; public procurement experience is a strong advantage.

Experience collaborating with a geographically dispersed, international team.

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to turn data into clear recommendations.

Confident in conversations with senior officials, executives and partners, and able to represent Systemiq externally.

Takes ownership of a workstream and moves it forward without close supervision.

Works well with a team based mostly in other countries and time zones, and keeps colleagues informed.

Willing to travel regularly, around 30% of the time.

Professional fluency in English.

Alignment with Systemiq's values of creativity, challenge, collaboration, change and care.

Strong advantage

Experience in, or clear interest in, cement, concrete, construction or the wider built environment.

Professional working proficiency in French and Swahili.

Existing relationships with governments, industry or development partners in East Africa.

Additional information

This role is based in Nairobi. Applications in English from current residents of Kenya will be considered. Please ensure you are legally eligible to work in Kenya when applying. Visa sponsorship and relocation costs will not be provided.

Diversity & Inclusion At Systemiq, we absolutely believe diverse perspectives are essential to driving system change. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people feel respected, supported and able to do their best work.

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