Director of Climate Finance

About UpEnergy Group

UpEnergy brings aspirational products that save energy and improve health within reach of low-income customers. They develop distribution channels that sell ecient and clean technologies, primarily ecient cookstoves. They finance their growth through the generation and marketing of carbon emissions reductions sold in Europe, Asia, and North America.

UpEnergy sells products under their SmartHome brand and through partnerships with other brands. They operate regional distribution hubs and build distribution relationships with retailers, and directly with customers, through the SmartHome sales force. They have seen 100% year on year growth for two straight years. They now sell over 10,000 units per month that save each family about 9% of their annual income and reduce air pollution.

Globally, UpEnergy has a long track record of capturing the value of energy savings through sales of emissions reductions. The products sold generate certified carbon credits delivered to buyers in Europe and Asia. Their long-term carbon sales relationships have uniquely positioned them to rapidly grow distribution. UpEnergy’s team has a collective 50 years of experience in climate finance and is at the forefront of Paris-era project finance.

About the Role

UpEnergy is at a time of exciting growth, expanding both in terms of product and geographic portfolio. We seek a Director of Climate Finance to lead and manage the financing of new projects and the marketing of our growing credit portfolio. The Director of Climate Finance will provide strategic leadership to initiate new investor relationships, advise on downstream activities related to our carbon generating activities across multiple markets and products, and lead negotiations of voluntary and compliance off-take agreements with customers around the globe.

Reporting: The role will require a self-starter who has the ability to engage with established and new investment and off-take partners. This role will require someone who is familiar with carbon project finance and off-take deal structures and is excited to coordinate internally with a diverse and competent team to consummate deals. This role will report to the CEO and the location is flexible with a preference for someone who can be located in Africa.

Compensation: The Director of Climate Finance will receive a competitive salary and bonus.

Start Date & Location: As soon as possible, but we are flexible. Particularly under the current COVID pandemic, we put safety first while continuing to bring impact to our community and the environment. We appreciate your flexibility too in confirming a start date and location.

Key Responsibilities

Project Finance Leadership

  • Lead and initiate conversations with capital partners

  • Manage relationships with existing investors

  • Work closely with other members of senior management to ensure consistency and alignment of carbon asset strategy

  • Secure financing for expansion projects

Emission Reduction Marketing Management

  • Manage UpEnergy’s relationship with retailers and corporate buyers while establishing new partnerships

  • Generate leads for ERPAs in line with UpEnergy’s Corporate Strategy

  • Negotiate ERPA price, volume and terms with a variety of buyers

  • Work with the team to strategically market UpEnergy credits and highlight the co-benefits the represent as well as UpEnergy’s track record building projects that over-perform credit volume expectations

Finance and Risk Management

  • Ensure that the current and future inventory of credits are equitably priced

  • Develop systems to manage and diversify risk across a portfolio of retailers and end buyers

  • Develop innovative and bespoke marketing initiatives with retailers and buyers that drive

Leadership & Management

  • Be a driving force on UpEnergy’s global leadership team

  • Work closely with the technical carbon team, Business Development Director and other leaders to set company strategy regarding the development and management of various carbon assets

  • Set KPIs and goals for financing and off-take activities for the company

Desired Skills, Characteristics, and Experience

  • A team player with a strong work ethic.

  • Orientation towards continuous improvement of team, and self.

  • Established relationships with carbon retailers, potential investors in the sector, etc.

  • Experience in project and carbon finance.

  • Track record of working with carbon retailers and off-takers and familiarity with ERPA structures

  • Management of a carbon credit portfolio

  • Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills.

  • Strong organizational skills

  • Experience managing processes and people

  • Willing to travel occasionally to our different markets

  • Bachelor’s Degree required

To Apply

Please send a customized cover letter highlighting your relevant experience, and the specific areas of UpEnergy’s work that most interest you, to jobs@upenergygroup.com.

Love UpEnergy, but looking for a different role? If you don’t think this role is the right fit for you, but you identify with UpEnergy’s mission and values, why not check out our other openings or drop us a line? There are many ways to make clean energy products available to more communities, and if you are the right person to play a role in this mission, let’s stay in touch, and let’s build something together!