Innovation Fellow – Grids of the Future (Africa)

About the role

The Innovation Fellow will support the Innovation workstream of the Grids of the Future (GOTF) programme across Africa, helping to identify, validate and scale clean‑energy grid innovations with anchor distribution utilities.

Key responsibilities

• Support identification and framing of priority modernisation challenges with anchor utilities and regional partners.
• Scout and evaluate innovative solutions across African and international markets, conducting technical due diligence and expert assessment.
• Coordinate design, mobilisation and implementation of pilot projects with distribution utilities, including field engagement and user testing.
• Apply monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks to generate evidence on technical, operational, financial and development outcomes.
• Link validated innovators to philanthropic, blended and commercial capital, working with venture partners and development finance institutions.
• Manage ecosystem partnerships, develop proposals, coordinate MoUs and joint workplans with innovation platforms, funders and regulators.
• Produce knowledge products such as case studies, playbooks, whitepapers and policy briefs.
• Support day‑to‑day running of the Innovation workstream, reporting to leadership and coordinating with related programmes.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Economics, Business, Public Policy or related field; Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum five years of experience in the power sector, climate innovation, utility engagement, venture support or programme management.
• Working knowledge of grid modernisation, distributed renewable energy, battery storage, mini‑grid integration and digital utility systems.
• Proven experience partnering with utilities, innovation programmes or climate‑tech ecosystems, preferably in African markets.
• Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders across utilities, regulators, technology providers and investors.

Required skills

• Grid modernisation
• Distributed renewable energy
• Battery energy storage systems
• Interconnected mini‑grids
• Digital utility systems
• Productive‑use technologies
• Technical due diligence

What we offer

• Annual salary starting from USD 12,000, negotiable based on experience.