View Vacancy – Head of Energy Programme – Prosperity Fund Brazil (Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Recife or Belo Horizonte)

Main purpose of job

You will lead implementation of the £25m Energy Prosperity Fund programme in Brazil, playing a critical role in achieving the UK Government’s climate change objectives for COP26 and beyond in Brazil.

This energy transition programme is run day-to-day by our external delivery partners. Your role is to oversee the programme, working with policy and commercial teams in the UK Government’s Brazil network and across the UK Government (HMG). You will draw on and build the UK’s clean growth agenda in Brazil. You will also build stong networks in Brazil, including the Ministry of Mines and Energy, EPE, ANEEL and ANP. Your job is to ensure the programme delivers its objectives with excellent management skills, innovative ideas, and in compliance with the UK International Development Act and UK Aid Strategy.

Roles and responsibilities

The cross-government Prosperity Fund (PF) was established under the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) with the primary aim of supporting growth in recipient countries and thereby reducing poverty. As such, it represents a key component of the prosperity pillar of the UK Aid Strategy. The Fund uniquely focuses on promoting growth in ODA-eligible middle income countries, which are home to around 60% of the world’s poor and where the development challenges remain significant, but at the same time are important business partners and drivers of prosperity. By delivering high impact, strategic multi-year programmes, across high opportunity countries, regions and sectors, the Fund will help create opportunities for international business, including UK companies. Following the UK’s departure from the EU, an outward-looking global Britain investing and trading with the fastest growing markets is more important than ever.  

The strategic objective of the Brazil Energy Programme (BEP) is to support Brazil’s low carbon transition to secure, affordable and clean energy which powers its economic development. It aims to do this by improving the regulatory environment, developing a more competitive energy sector and through encouraging the adoption of new clean technologies. Programme impacts should lead to increased access to clean and affordable energy to support inclusive growth, gender equality and poverty reduction, as well as on delivering results against three Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 1 (poverty alleviation); SDG 5 (gender equality); and SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy). 

As technical and policy lead, you will be expected to:  

Programme Delivery (50%) 

• Lead on programme delivery providing sector specific policy and technical inputs to deliver programme outcomes that directly contributes to Brazil’s economic development and the UK’s long term strategic policy in Brazil.
  
• Manage and facilitate implementation together with the supplier of Incubator Fund projects, ensuring projects are contributing to specific programme outcomes.
• Supervise the delivery of the outputs of the BEP, based on the agreed logframe of the Programme agreed with the supplier, to reach the agreed objectives and maximise value for money.
• Work with relevant DIT Teams to ensure relevant UK private sector expertise is brought to bear, secondary benefit opportunities are identified and acted upon, and that such activity helps to multiply voices calling for Net Zero ambition in Brazil.
• Identify synergies and leverage other programmes, eg, PF Green Finance and International Climate Fund, to amplify impact. 

Stakeholder Management (20%)

• Develop a wide network of senior stakeholder contacts across Brazilian government including the Ministry of Mines and Energy, energy regulatory bodies, and planning and environmental agencies, to build and strengthen government support for the programme, ensuring Brazilian government energy priorities are integrated with programme activities.
• Engage State level stakeholders to identify and assess synergies with the programme and develop potential collaboration on R&D pilots.      

Team and Corporate Management (30%) 

• Lead on all programme management, including reporting, monitoring and evaluation, risk, resources and others. Undertake monthly financial and risk management of programme.
• Act as a gender champion, ensuring the Gender Equality Act (2014) remains mainstreamed in the programme, including complying and supporting the implementation of gender policy and guidance so that, at the least, no harm is done and gender inequality is not worsened. You will actively support PF ambitions on women’s economic opportunities, inclusive growth and poverty reduction through your department / team.
• Proactively monitor and identify sector risks and opportunities for the UK. Provide advice and support to wider sector and Prosperity Fund teams, leading crosscutting work as needed in support of business needs. Work flexibly between programme sectors, shifting focus and emphasis as required in line with programme development.
• Identify synergies and leverage other programmes, eg, PF Green Finance and International Climate Fund, to amplify impact.
• Lead and manage a small team, motivating colleagues to deliver excellent performance and supporting their development. 

We need someone who can:  

• Lead and communicate with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm, supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens. Establish a strong direction and a persuasive future vision; managing and engaging with people with honesty and integrity, upholding the reputation of the British Government.
• Create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the British Government to help get business done. At all levels, it requires working collaboratively, sharing information and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions.
• Be alert to emerging issues and trends, which might impact or benefit their own and their team’s work, developing an understanding of the area’s strategy and how this contributes to UK and Departmental priorities, ensuring team activities are aligned to these. Actively seek out and share experience to develop understanding and knowledge.
• Cultivate and encourage an awareness of value for money, using clear simple examples of benefits and how to measure outcomes. Work confidently with performance management and financial data to prepare forecasts and manage and monitor budget against agreed plans. Follow appropriate financial procedures to monitor contracts to ensure deliverables are achieved. Monitor the use of resources in line with organisational procedures and plans and hold team to account, recommending actions to achieve value for money and efficiency.
• Exact duties and responsibilities may change over time, and you will be expected to be flexible and willing to engage on other areas of work as necessary.
  

– Relevant experience working in the low carbon and renewable energy sector and familiarity with government institutions in Brazil

– Qualified to at least Bachelor’s degree level in international relations, foreign trade, law, business administration or related subjects

– Experience of delivering successful programmes and managing budgets

– An understanding of public policy in Brazil

– Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills in English and Portuguese

– Able to work with minimal supervision to lead and prioritise work in a fast-paced and challenging environment, delivering to deadlines and agreed targets

– Computer literate, working with Microsoft Windows and able to manage information effectively with available computer systems

– Experience of managing staff.

Language requirements

Language: Portuguese and English

Level of language required: Fluency in each. The main working language of the UK Brazil network is English, so the jobholder should be able to write reports and briefings in both English and Portuguese.