Senior Associate - Climate, Energy and Water

The Senior Associate, Climate, Energy and Water is a member of DAI’s Clients and Technical Practices (CTP) department, supporting the achievement of the company’s annual new business targets, DAI competitiveness, technical and project delivery. This is a junior-level professional position. It is anticipated that this role will have a hybrid work schedule, with 2/3 days working in DAI’s London office and 2/3 days working remotely. This position requires the ability to work in the UK, without sponsorship. This is an urgent hire, and we’ll begin reviewing applications, screening candidates, and interviewing as soon as possible, so we encourage early applications.

Responsibilities

• Business Development Responsibilities
  • Working on climate, energy and water specific sector opportunities, through bid coordination/management, technical writing, research support, recruitment support.
  • Identifying upstream opportunities through direct engagement networks within and outside DAI.
  • Supporting engagement with selected clients – including monitoring strategic developments, developing client strategies and planning structured engagement.
  • Day‑to‑day management of climate, energy and water sector technical opportunities (across clients) in DAI trackers and reporting systems, including updating and quality assuring data on DAI’s opportunity tracker.
  • Submission of climate, energy and water sector technical opportunities to the weekly approval processes.
  • Managing resource partner and technical network trackers.
  • Conducting and supporting technical research and horizon scanning on climate, energy and water trends and diversification efforts.
  • Supporting internal communities of practice and other learning and knowledge management efforts/events.
• Technical and Project Delivery Responsibilities
  • Provide support to an existing climate project as Associate Project Manager, with duties including:
  • Track project budgets and profit margins using Excel, ensuring accurate financial monitoring and reporting.
  • Contribute to monthly client reports by providing financial and project updates.
  • Proactively support the wider project team with coordination, administration, and project delivery.
  • Engage with project partners, through email communication and monthly meetings.
  • Consolidate partner inputs and activities for client reports.
  • Develop technical skills in areas related to DAI’s climate, energy and water work.
  • Provide technical assistance on assignments as required in a junior role, with senior oversight.

Qualifications & Skills

• At least 18 months of relevant administrative or professional experience and a university degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Technical knowledge of and interest in at least 1 of the climate, energy and water sectors.
• Past experience of working on Request for Proposals (RFPs) with responsibilities including at least 1 of bid coordination/management, recruitment support, technical writing or research.
• Strong administrative, analytical and organizational skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential and/or sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to take initiative and problem‑solve.
• Flexibility to adjust to changes in demands, new situations, or approaches.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate information clearly and tailor communication style to diverse audiences.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative, respectful relationships with colleagues and external clients at all levels and from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Willingness to adjust work schedule as needed to support teams located in different time zones/countries.
• Able to regularly work from DAI’s London office.

Preferred, but not required

• Past exposure to the Green Climate Fund and international climate funds.
• Additional language skills such as French, Spanish or Arabic.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, such as Oracle.
• Strong Excel skills, including experience tracking budgets and analysing financial data.

All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran. DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.