We are GEAPP the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet. We serve communities around the world by igniting a green energy revolution that powers progress for people and the planet. We are an alliance of philanthropy, entrepreneurs, governments, technology innovators, policymakers and financing partners working to provide access to reliable clean power, reduce CO2 emissions and create green jobs to drive inclusive economic growth. Together we are building a more equitable and sustainable energy future.

Innovation Fellow, GOTF

Job Type

Contract , Full Time

Qualification

BA/BSc/HND

Experience

5 years

Location

Nairobi

Job Field

Project and Program Management

Scope of Work

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the identification and framing of priority modernisation challenges with GOTF anchor utilities (KPLC, AEDC, ESCOM) and regional partners, translating utility priorities into targeted innovation opportunities.
• Support innovation scouting across African and international markets, including ecosystem outreach, technical due diligence, expert evaluation, and cohort selection.
• Coordinate the design and mobilisation of pilots with anchor DisCos and other partner utilities, including implementation coordination, field engagement, and user testing.
• Apply structured monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks to generate technical, operational, financial, and development evidence from pilots.
• Support the connection of validated innovators to philanthropic, blended, and commercial capital, working with venture partners, and development finance institutions.
• Coordinate ecosystem partnerships across innovation platforms, funders, regulators and industry stakeholders, including proposal development, MoU coordination, and joint workplan management.
• Contribute to knowledge products including case studies, playbooks, whitepapers, and regulatory or policy engagement materials.
• Support the day-to-day running of the Innovation workstream, including reporting to GEA leadership, coordination with the wider GOTF Africa team, and cross-linkage with adjacent programmes (BESS Consortium, IMG/DRE, M300/CDMU).

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Economics, Business, Public Policy, or a related discipline; Master's degree an added advantage.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the power sector, climate innovation, utility engagement, venture support, or programme management.
• Working knowledge of grid modernisation, distributed renewable energy, battery energy storage, interconnected mini-grids, digital utility systems, and productive-use technologies.
• Experience with utility partnerships, innovation programmes, or climate-tech ecosystems; direct exposure to African markets strongly preferred.
• Track record of stakeholder engagement across utilities, regulators, technology providers, and investors.

Key Skills:

• Structured problem-solving with the ability to distil complex inputs into decision-ready materials.
• Programme and stakeholder management in multi-partner environments.
• Analytical mindset with a data-driven approach to pilot design and evaluation.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including briefing notes, concept papers, and executive-level materials.
• Comfort operating in the foundational period of a new workstream, with initiative and follow-through.

Success Metrics (KPIs):

• Innovation cohorts identified, selected, and supported through the pathway.
• Pilots launched with GOTF anchor utilities against agreed milestones.
• Follow-on capital mobilised into validated innovators.
• Strength of ecosystem and utility partnerships activated and sustained.
• Evidence products (case studies, playbooks, whitepapers) delivered and disseminated.

• Support the identification and framing of priority modernisation challenges with GOTF anchor utilities (KPLC, AEDC, ESCOM) and regional partners, translating utility priorities into targeted innovation opportunities.
• Support innovation scouting across African and international markets, including ecosystem outreach, technical due diligence, expert evaluation, and cohort selection.
• Coordinate the design and mobilisation of pilots with anchor DisCos and other partner utilities, including implementation coordination, field engagement, and user testing.
• Apply structured monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks to generate technical, operational, financial, and development evidence from pilots.
• Support the connection of validated innovators to philanthropic, blended, and commercial capital, working with venture partners, and development finance institutions.
• Coordinate ecosystem partnerships across innovation platforms, funders, regulators and industry stakeholders, including proposal development, MoU coordination, and joint workplan management.
• Contribute to knowledge products including case studies, playbooks, whitepapers, and regulatory or policy engagement materials.
• Support the day-to-day running of the Innovation workstream, including reporting to GEA leadership, coordination with the wider GOTF Africa team, and cross-linkage with adjacent programmes (BESS Consortium, IMG/DRE, M300/CDMU).

• Structured problem-solving with the ability to distil complex inputs into decision-ready materials.
• Programme and stakeholder management in multi-partner environments.
• Analytical mindset with a data-driven approach to pilot design and evaluation.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including briefing notes, concept papers, and executive-level materials.
• Comfort operating in the foundational period of a new workstream, with initiative and follow-through.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Economics, Business, Public Policy, or a related discipline; Master's degree an added advantage.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the power sector, climate innovation, utility engagement, venture support, or programme management.
• Working knowledge of grid modernisation, distributed renewable energy, battery energy storage, interconnected mini-grids, digital utility systems, and productive-use technologies.
• Experience with utility partnerships, innovation programmes, or climate-tech ecosystems; direct exposure to African markets strongly preferred.
• Track record of stakeholder engagement across utilities, regulators, technology providers, and investors.