Lead a Movement Advancing Universal Energy Access

Chief Executive Officer – SolarAid

Location: UK - hybrid
Travel: c. 8–10 weeks per year (Africa programmes, partners, global forums)
Salary:  ~£100k
Type: Full-time

About SolarAid

SolarAid is an ambitious international charity working to achieve a world where everyone has access to clean, renewable energy. With a strong track record of impact across sub-Saharan Africa, SolarAid has helped transform access to energy through solar solutions that improve lives, livelihoods and the environment.

Today, SolarAid is entering a pivotal new phase. Building on proven delivery models, the organisation is shifting towards systems change - scaling impact through partnerships, influencing markets, and shaping policy to accelerate universal energy access. Alongside this, SolarAid retains active operational programmes in countries such as Malawi and Zambia, ensuring deep, real-world insight informs its work.

This is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation with both credibility on the ground and growing influence at the highest levels.

What You Can Look Forward To

As CEO, you will lead SolarAid through an exciting transition - balancing external influence and internal leadership to unlock its next phase of impact.

You will:

• Shape and Deliver Strategy
  Bring clarity, focus and prioritisation to SolarAid’s ambitions, ensuring resources are aligned to the highest-impact opportunities
• Drive Global Influence
  Act as SolarAid’s primary ambassador, building credibility with governments, funders, multilaterals and partners
• Scale Impact Through Partnerships
  Expand and strengthen partnerships to deliver scalable, replicable models across sub-Saharan Africa

Why This Role Matters

• You will lead a mission that is fundamental to human development and climate progress
• SolarAid combines proven delivery with growing global influence
• You will have the opportunity to shape the future of energy access at scale

About You

SolarAid is seeking an experienced, credible and decisive leader - someone equally comfortable representing the organisation externally and leading it internally through change.

Skills and Experience

• Proven senior leadership experience (CEO, Executive Director or equivalent) within international development, social enterprise or a related field
• Experience of programme delivery in sub-Saharan Africa, with a deep understanding of operating contexts
• Demonstrable ability to build credibility and influence with governments, funders, and global partners
• Track record of leading organisations through complexity, change or transition
• Strong strategic judgement, with the ability to prioritise and align ambition with capacity

Highly Desirable:

• Relevant sector expertise – in energy access, climate, or adjacent sectors

Personal Attributes

• Decisive and empowering, able to lead with clarity and confidence
• Credible and articulate ambassador, with presence at senior levels
• Emotionally intelligent, able to build trust and stability in a mission-driven culture

Recruitment Timeline

To ensure equitable access to information and uphold SolarAid’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the charity will be hosting a Q&A webinar in place of individual informal calls with the Chair/Outgoing CEO. We encourage all interested candidates to submit questions in advance, which will be addressed during the session. Please register your interest in attending this webinar on Thursday 4^th June 6-7pm and we will send you a link. 

Application Deadline: 5pm, Monday 22^nd June 2026

First Interviews: w/c 6^th July 2026

Final Interviews: w/c 13^th July 

How to Apply

Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor SolarAid on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV to seniorappointments@charitypeople.co.uk and request a candidate pack in the first instance. For an informal conversation about the role or if you have further questions prior to applying, please contact Fabrice Yala on 07563 030595 or Tiku van Houtem on 07926 129788 or send an email to seniorappointments@charitypeople.co.uk

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

UK Operations Associate

Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 per annum

Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week (flexibility considered)

Contract: Permanent

Location: London (Farringdon)

Working pattern: Hybrid — typically three days in the office, with flexibility over time


Charity People is delighted to be partnering with Unbound Philanthropy to recruit for their next UK Operations Associate.

About the charity

Unbound Philanthropy is a US‑ and UK‑based foundation working towards a more just, welcoming society, with a particular focus on migration and immigration justice.

Through thoughtful, long‑term grantmaking and deep partnerships, Unbound supports organisations and movements that protect the rights of migrants and refugees, strengthen communities, and influence systems and policy for lasting change. In the UK, the foundation works closely with charities, funders and partners operating at both grassroots and national levels, distributing around £3m per year to organisations advancing social justice.

Unbound is widely respected for its values‑led, relational approach to philanthropy. The culture is collaborative, humane and high‑trust, with a strong emphasis on care, rigour and integrity. This is an organisation where people are trusted to do their best work, supported by experienced leaders who are deeply committed to the mission.

About the role

The UK Operations Associate is a senior, trusted operational role at the heart of Unbound Philanthropy’s UK work. This position ensures the smooth running of the London office and provides high‑quality administrative, coordination and grantmaking support to a small, busy team working across multiple entities and jurisdictions.

This role will suit someone who enjoys variety, takes pride in precision, and thrives in a fast‑moving, high‑trust environment. You will work closely with senior colleagues in the UK and US, supporting programmes, events, grant processes and governance activity, playing a quiet but vital role in enabling Unbound’s impact.

Key responsibilities

• Leading the day‑to‑day administration of the UK office, liaising with landlords, suppliers and IT support
• Coordinating diaries, meetings and complex scheduling for the UK programme team
• Managing the logistics of events, convenings and learning exchanges in the UK and internationally
• Providing administrative support to UK grantmaking, including contracts, payments, budgets and database updates
• Acting as a key point of contact for trustees, funders, partners and visiting colleagues
• Supporting governance processes, including meeting preparation, note‑taking and follow‑up
• Working flexibly across a range of practical and process‑driven tasks to keep the organisation running smoothly
  
  

Person specification

This role is particularly well suited to someone who:

• Has significant experience in senior administration, operations or executive support
• Is highly organised, calm under pressure and confident juggling competing priorities
• Brings excellent attention to detail and takes pride in delivering high‑quality, accurate work
• Is comfortable working with senior stakeholders, trustees and external partners
• Enjoys a role that blends focused, process‑driven work with fast‑paced coordination
• Is motivated by social justice values and aligned with Unbound Philanthropy’s mission
  
  

Experience working in the charity, non‑profit or foundation sector is essential.

Why this role?

This is a rare opportunity to join a highly regarded philanthropic organisation doing deeply meaningful work, in a role that is trusted, varied and genuinely valued. You will be part of a small, supportive team where your contribution directly enables impact — and where people are encouraged to stay, grow and build a long‑term role.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender 
identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.