CEO

About UpEnergy

UpEnergy is a leading developer of anti‑poverty climate‑impact projects across Africa. We accelerate decarbonization while delivering long‑term health, income, and environmental benefits in local communities. We design, manufacture and develop life‑improving clean technologies and the development of high‑integrity carbon reduction and removal projects, protect ecosystems, improve air quality, and reduce poverty.

Organisational Setting

Since our founding, UpEnergy has developed more than 150 emissions‑reduction projects, positively impacted over 10.4 million people, and delivered more than 12 million tonnes of verified CO₂ reductions across 8 countries. Our work is characterized by curiosity and design thinking to create technology and interactions that reduce emissions through behavior change. Our team of 200 leverages, rigorous measurement and verification, deep local knowledge, and strong local execution to scope, build, and deliver the highest quality projects.

The Opportunity

UpEnergy is seeking a strategic, execution‑driven Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization through its next phase of growth. The CEO will lead a multidisciplinary international team operating across four continents and UpEnergy’s current and expanding portfolio of African country operations. This is a rare opportunity to lead a profitable, mission‑driven social enterprise at the intersection of climate finance, clean technology, and poverty alleviation.

The CEO will be responsible for setting and executing the overall strategy, strengthening execution and operational excellence, expanding climate‑finance and carbon‑market activities, and developing new geographies, technologies, and business lines. The role requires an entrepreneurial leader who can inspire teams, set and execute strategy that delivers both outcomes and financial results, and translate innovation and opportunity into results.

Leadership & Management

• Set and communicate a clear long‑term vision and strategy for UpEnergy’s growth and impact.
• Inspire, lead, and develop a high‑performing, values‑driven international team.
• Shape and reinforce an organizational culture centered on customer focus, operational excellence, innovation, experimentation, and integrity.
• Build leadership capacity, performance management systems, and strong organizational controls.
• Define and evolve organizational structures to support both current operations and future growth.
• Attract, retain, and develop exceptional talent across markets.
• Represent UpEnergy with credibility and influence in global forums and with governments, investors, donors, and strategic partners.

Product, Market & Commercial Growth

• Identify, test, and scale new business opportunities and revenue streams within the global carbon market and related sectors.
• Lead the development of new high‑value products, services, and climate‑impact offerings.
• Expand distribution channels and commercial reach across existing and new markets.
• Embed data‑driven decision‑making and user insights into product development and customer engagement.
• Build and maintain investor and customer confidence in UpEnergy’s best‑in‑class monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) practices.

Operations

• Oversee execution of complex sales operations, data collection and monitoring, carbon audits, and carbon credit generation.
• Strengthen supply chain management, distribution operations, and last‑mile delivery systems.
• Increase autonomy, accountability, and operational excellence across functions and geographies.
• Manage and deepen partnerships with manufacturers, local governments, NGOs, retailers, and sovereign and corporate carbon buyers.
• Represent UpEnergy with government ministers and other key stakeholders.

Carbon Finance

• Oversee carbon project origination, structuring, financing, and launch.
• Ensure delivery against carbon‑sales targets and long‑term commercial commitments.
• Expand UpEnergy’s geographic footprint through strong project development and partnerships.
• Invest in tools and technologies to improve data capture, analytics, and reporting quality.

Finance & Risk Management

• Hold overall responsibility for P&L leadership, financial performance, and sustainability.
• Oversee annual budgeting, forecasting, and budget‑to‑actuals monitoring.
• Strengthen financial management capacity across the senior leadership team.
• Develop philanthropic, catalytic, and blended‑finance funding streams to support growth.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate strategic, operational, financial, and regulatory risks.
• Lead crisis management planning and safeguard the organization’s reputation and license to operate.

Essential

• Successful senior leadership experience in global companies or international organizations operating in Africa.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully scaling organizations and managing complex growth.
• Experience leading multi‑country, multicultural teams in emerging markets.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with proven execution capability.
• Credibility, diplomacy, and confidence to represent UpEnergy with senior external stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify, test, and scale new business models.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated commitment to integrity and cross‑cultural respect.
• Fluency in English.

Desirable

• Experience in carbon markets, climate finance, or energy / carbon project development.
• Strong financial management experience, including P&L ownership and internal controls.
• Deep understanding of Sub‑Saharan African business environments and consumers.
• Experience in consumer sales, marketing, or large‑scale product distribution in emerging markets.
• Advanced degree related to management, leadership, or entrepreneurship.

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