Programme Director, Asia

SRI Executive Search has been contracted by the Global Grids Catalyst (GGC) to assist with the search for an exceptional candidate to fill the position of Programme Director Asia.

About Global Grids Catalyst (GGC)

Global Grids Catalyst (GGC) is a strategic hub and regrantor hosted by the Pooled Fund on International Energy (PIE) at the European Climate Foundation. GGC accelerates modernisation of electricity grids by coordinating funders, partners, and technical experts across regions.

The Program Director – Asia will join a small, high-performing team working across Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

For more information, visit https://pieclimate.org/our-work-and-initiatives/gobal-grid-catalyst/.

Role Purpose

The Program Director – Asia leads GGC’s strategy and grantmaking across key Asian countries, including China, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. The role focuses on designing regional strategies, building high-impact partnerships, and ensuring GGC’s Asia portfolio delivers measurable progress on grid modernisation. The Program Director works closely with regional regrantors, government officials, civil society, and industry to accelerate grid policy, planning, building and operational improvements across Asia.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Regional Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and lead GGC’s Asia strategy, aligning it with regional priorities and the work of regrantors (e.g., Tara, EF China, Shakti).
• Identify priority countries and pathways where GGC can deliver catalytic change.
• Conduct landscape analyses, identify strategic gaps, and recommend targeted interventions.
• Monitor developments in the field for emerging gaps and opportunities for strategy renewal and implementation

Grantmaking & Portfolio Management

• Identify, design, and manage a portfolio of grants that advance grid modernisation, planning, building and operations, and enabling policies across Asia.
• Support regrantors and partners in strengthening proposal quality, execution plans, and learning objectives.
• Monitor grantee performance and provide ongoing strategic guidance using MEL.
• Ensure grant portfolios are on track to meet GGC’s goals

Partnerships, Diplomacy & External Engagement

• Build and maintain partnerships with government ministries, regulators, system operators, civil society, and industry stakeholders.
• Represent GGC in regional and international fora to advance collaboration on grid modernisation.
• Coordinate with multilateral institutions, think tanks, and regional initiatives to amplify impact.
• Facilitate cross-country learning and peer exchanges among grantees partners and foster ecosystem development and coordination, in partnership with regrantors.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

• Coordinate MEL processes for the Asia portfolio, including data tracking, reporting, and integration of lessons learned.
• Work with GGC’s MEL staff to ensure regional insights feed into dashboards, reporting cycles, and strategic adjustments.

Collaboration & Team Leadership

• Collaborate closely with the Program Director – Grid Systems to align technical and regional strategies.
• Supervise or mentor a Program Associate supporting project delivery and grant management.
• Contribute to shaping the learning agenda for GGC’s Community of Impact.

Profile

Required Qualifications

• At least 10 years’ experience in clean energy, electricity grids, energy policy, or related fields in Asia.
• Deep understanding of political, regulatory, and institutional drivers of grid modernisation in Asian markets.
• Strong networks within national governments, regulators, civil society organizations, and industry.
• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-border initiatives and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Excellent English writing, communication, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in philanthropy, regranting, climate policy, or multi-donor program management.
• Familiarity with Asian regional energy cooperation platforms and institutions.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
• Fluency in a major Asian language (e.g., Mandarin, Hindi, Bahasa, Korean, Japanese).

Terms of Appointment

The remuneration package is competitive and commensurate with experience. The appointment will be on an open-ended basis, subject to local hiring conditions.

Working Conditions

• Fully remote position based in Asia, with regular coordination across US–Europe–Asia time zones.
• Frequent travel required within and outside Asia for grantee meetings, regional events, and funder engagements (estimated 6–8 trips/year).
• Flexibility required for occasional early-morning or late-evening meetings

Role Location

Asia (Remote)

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you click Apply and complete the Application Form by 30 January 2026 (23:59 hrs, GMT). It is essential that you submit your CV in English, specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx), not exceeding 10MB.

Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.

Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.