Alternative Fuels Manager at Resonance

Resonance is an award-winning frontier market solutions firm based in Burlington, Vermont that helps a variety of donor, commercial and investor clients around the world achieve to catalyze lasting impact.  We envision a prosperous and just world of thriving markets, healthy ecosystems, and vibrant communities where business, governments and citizens work together creating a better world for all.

Resonance seeks to catalyze large-scale social, environmental, and economic change by new and dynamic forms of collaboration. We do this by fostering public-private partnerships, facilitating sustainable investment, and providing deep analytical insights in frontier markets.  We strive to merge strategic insight with practical on-the-ground knowledge into an integrated approach that emphasizes results.

We seek candidates who are ready to apply their analytical and problem-solving skills to some of our planet’s greatest challenges in an entrepreneurial, fun, and fast-paced environment. We are looking for passionate and committed people who can work collaboratively to deliver results for our clients and stakeholders around the world.

Resonance is currently seeking Alternative Fuels Manager candidates to propose for an upcoming 5-year USAID-funded Zambia Alternatives to Charcoal project. The purpose of this activity is to promote energy alternatives to charcoal with the goal of reducing deforestation and forest degradation in certain provinces of Zambia. The position is contingent upon contract award.

The Alternative Fuels Manager will report to the Innovation and Enterprise Lead and will primary be responsible for developing and implementing partnerships with private sector firms operating in the alternative cooking fuels market. They will have experience working with and supporting growth of companies in the fuel, energy, and/or technology sectors. The Alternative Fuels Manager will lead the design and execution of support programs for alternative fuels in urban and suburban settings and regularly report on program progress.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manage the design and execution of support programs for alternative fuels in urban and suburban settings in Zambia.
• Research, identify, and network with energy and technology businesses and business models operating inside and outside of Zambia that promote alternative cooking fuels to charcoal, including biomass fuels, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), and solar.
• Develop and manage partnerships with identified alternative energy and technology companies to support them in entering or scaling up business models within the Zambian market.
• Work closely with the Innovation and Challenge Lead to strengthen models supporting the development and growth of alternative cooking fuel/energy supply chains.
• Monitor progress of partnerships on established work plans and towards programmatic goals.
• Document implementation successes, challenges, and lessons learned and share them with through regular program reports.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in business, marketing, clean energy, energy technology, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of relevant experience working in the fuel and/or energy sectors in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a team environment as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in providing technical assistance, including organizing and facilitating workshops.
  Ability and interest to live and work in Lusaka, Zambia.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES 

• Demonstrated experience in energy technology and household energy market development.
• Past enterprise development experience that fostered the growth of enterprises in energy markets, preferably within the alternative home fuel sector.
• Three years of relevant work experience in Zambia.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS 
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Policy of SSG-Advisors, LLC (doing business as Resonance) is to provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. Resonance hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. Resonance believes that employees should be provided with a working environment which enables each associate to be productive and to work to the best of his or her ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. We expect and require the cooperation of all employees in maintaining a discrimination and harassment-free atmosphere