Chief Executive October 2018
Chief Executive - Appointment Brief
Contents Welcome from Founder
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Our Strategy
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About Ashden
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Organisational Structure
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Our impact
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Our Finances
10
Role Description
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Person Specification
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How to Apply
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Letter from the Founder
Welcome It is an exciting time to be joining Ashden. Over the last 18 years we have established an incredible track record of highlighting and helping scale enterprises whose solutions and business models have been at the forefront of a global energy revolution. At the heart of that endeavour has been the Ashden Awards - widely regarded as the world’s preeminent sustainable energy awards. I am tremendously proud of how far we have come - but if we want to play a meaningful role in helping the world tackle climate change and address energy access, we need go further and we need to go faster. This autumn Ashden launches a new strategy, with a mission to help accelerate the transformation of energy systems so that everyone across the globe, irrespective of geography or status, has access to sustainable energy. We will use our extensive insights and knowledge of the sector from the ground up, and magnify our winners’ stories of success, to inform and influence the influencers within the policy, finance and business worlds. We want to dramatically scale up our impact so that we are
influencing change at the local, national and global level and we are aiming to do this in two critically important areas - sustainable cities and energy for development. To maximise the impact of this new strategy we are looking for a visionary and inspiring leader /CEO that can take a great team, a vitally important mission and a successful and effective organisation on further to influence change with the urgency that is required. I have loved running Ashden and I’m enormously proud of what the Ashden team has achieved since we started giving out Awards in 2001. Back then the Millennium Development Goals did not include any mention of sustainable energy nor energy access, now both are at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals. Back then the term energy access was not used, it is now in common use, and Ashden has played an important role at catalysing the development of this sector. However, there is so much more to do rapidly. Significantly scaling up our impact is very important to everyone involved in Ashden. It is the right time and an exciting time to bring in a brilliant CEO to take Ashden to a much higher level of influence in order to achieve a much bigger impact for good. I won’t be leaving Ashden completely - once the new CEO is in place I will become Chair of the Trustee Board, for the next three years, so that I can support the new CEO, when relevant, and share, when appropriate, my expertise and institutional knowledge of the charity. Sarah Butler-Sloss Founder Director
Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
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About Ashden
Who we are We believe that sustainable energy can have a transformative impact on individual lives worldwide. As well as being essential to tackling climate change, access to sustainable energy also improves health and wellbeing, increases education opportunities, improves food and water security and boosts local economies. For this reason, over the next few years, we will be highlighting and raising awareness of the vitally important energy and health nexus, which if widely acknowledged and acted on, could have a profound impact on improving the life expectancy of the energy poor. We will be raising awareness of these issues, and the solutions we are rewarding and supporting, to both the health and energy sectors to improve policies and increase finance into this nexus.
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Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
Our mission To accelerate the transformation of global energy systems so that everyone, regardless of geography or status, has access to sustainable energy. The world faces a massive and increasingly urgent challenge to decarbonise its energy systems in order to keep to the ambitious targets set in Paris in 2015 to keep global warming well below 2 degrees. At the same time urbanisation is growing rapidly and billions worldwide lack access to clean, affordable and sustainable energy. We believe that the pioneers and innovators at the cutting edge of sustainable energy have a crucial role to play if we are to change the world. We know that their solutions work but they need to be taken to scale – that’s why we reward, support and promote them. For years we have run a support programme to help our winners scale-up, and programmes that have shared our winners expertise to encourage other to follow in their footsteps, such as LESS CO2 and Fit for the Future. We have also worked at the policy level through the Ashden India Collective, that brings our winners together to speak with one voice in order to influence energy policies nationally and locally. We’ve seen real successes in all of the awards and these programmes, however the speed and level impact is not commensurate with the urgency of tackling climate change and achieving energy access for all.
Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
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A step-change in impact To achieve this step change, Autumn 2018 sees the launch of a new strategy for Ashden which will enable us to go further faster and scale our impact significantly so we can play a role in helping achieve the Paris agreement and SDG7. We want to be a global catalyst: our extensive knowledge and insights from the ground up, combined with our stories of success will provide the evidence base for influencers and decision makers and help to raise the profile of those working in sustainable energy and inspire change. We will continue to scan the world for the best examples of innovation in sustainable energy, celebrate their success and support the innovators and entrepreneurs to accelerate their impact. We will share the ingredients of success with each other and seek to share this with the next-wave of energy innovators. We will take this experience and work in collaboration with businesses, financiers, government and civil society organisations to enable local, systemic change in the UK and the developing world.
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Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
For years we have run a support programme to help our winners scale-up, and programmes that have shared our winners expertise to encourage other to follow in their footsteps, such as LESS CO2 and Fit for the Future. We will focus this work in two key areas where we believe the need is most urgent and we can have greatest impact:
1. Sustainable, liveable cities Our vision is of cities where people want to live, work and thrive: unpolluted, well-planned cities powered by sustainable energy and clean technologies; with warm (or cool!) energyefficient homes, workplaces and public buildings; and integrated low-carbon transport systems and green infrastructure. Futureproofing our cities through low-carbon transformation will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to climate change. Positive socio-economic outcomes include improved health thanks to clean air, increased green space, healthy buildings and sustainable transport; better employment opportunities through locally owned energy, retrofit projects; and an enabling environment for renewables and thriving inclusive neighbourhoods.
At a global level and through a set of cities Awards, media campaigns and a convening programme, we will highlight and amplify the following themes: clean air and sustainable mobility, smarter energy systems and sustainable buildings. At a local level, we are developing an ambitious programme that will bring Ashden Award winners together with UK Metro Mayor cities to demonstrate that solutions to transforming our cities already exist, and that through collaborative learning, sharing and co-design they can be deployed quickly and at a scale that will allow ambitious targets to be met.
At a global level, through our Awards, communications and convening, we will highlight a series of core themes. For 2019 and beyond, Ashden has designed a set of Awards to meet each one of these development challenges. • Innovation in finance and business models • Innovations in productive uses of energy • Global cooling • A new generation of clean cooking solutions • Sustainably powering healthcare
At a local level, Ashden will significantly increase support for energy enterprises in India and Africa, helping both individual winners 2. Sustainable energy for inclusive and the Ashden alumni as a collective to grow. development We aim to also do much more to accelerate the development of other emerging enterprises and Access to energy is dramatically unequal across play a greater role in increasing the resilience the world and without it many other development of the wider ecosystem. Historically, we have goals cannot be met. Increasing access to clean had significant success in helping accelerate the electricity transforms lives, improving education, impact of innovators and enterprises through powering businesses, increasing food security our unique position in the sustainable energy and improving health. network, and with business support and finance. Where appropriate, we have also provided Scaling and accelerating access to sustainable targeted support to winners, to ensure they are energy and helping unlock its many benefits has investment ready and capable of realising their been central to our work for the last 17 years. full potential. However, as is widely recognised, But for Ashden, as for other agencies in this to accelerate the uptake of sustainable energy field, there is now an urgent need to increase our and extend electricity to those that need it most, efforts to help us meet the requirements of SDG7 a great deal more capital needs to be deployed and many of the other Sustainable Development and invested and we will continue to call for this. Goals.
Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
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Strategy
Our Strategy Driving impact by selecting the appropriate combination from the Ashden Toolbox. In particular, design Awards based on what is needed to create impact, based on insight of “the Brain”. Over time: • What we currently think of as separate Awards and programmes become “outcome areas” of domains and themes. • New ones are developed as we identify need and where Ashden can make a difference. • Exit gracefully from those where impact is limited or when they can flourish as stand-alone organisation.
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Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
Strategy
Awards Rewarding and supporting pioneers and potential game changers
Storyteller
The Brain Research, analysis, reports
Integrated Comms
Activities using convening power – AAW/SIB/Network/Alumni/investor pitching/ facilitating others to act
Influencing the Influencers Possibly: policy, finance, businesses, enabling environment, sectors (e.g. built environment, transport) Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018 7
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Strategy
How we will operate Sustainable energy for all – decarbonised, digitised, decentralised and democratised – is the vehicle for a sustainable future.
Vision of the world Vision of Ashden
2021 Vision ‘Global’
‘Local’ or ‘Specific’ Vision
We are a global catalyst: our insights and stories provide the evidence base for influencers and decision makers and help to inspire and raise the profile of those working in sustainable energy. We scan the world for the best examples of innovation in sustainable energy and support, the innovators and entrepreneurs, to accelerate their impact. We share the ingredients of success with each other and the next-wave coming through. We take this experience and work in collaboration to enable specific change in the UK and developing world in regional hubs e.g. India & East Africa. GLOBAL: Ashden has moved the agenda forward, so that others are more successful in getting helpful public policies, raising finance and otherwise creating a global enabling environment. In particular, we have influenced those working at a globallevel in HEALTH of the health benefits of sustainable energy adoption in health strategies. Long-term: the world is more on track to deliver SDG7 and the Paris Agreement, and global health agenda is accelerated due to deeper understanding of the role of sustainable energy in health provision and preventative measures.
UK: Metro Mayors are driving a just transition to low-carbon economy.
Developing World: Sustainable energy is reaching a tipping point in the delivery of energy access.
Long-term: UK exemplar in transition for other countries for 2025 ‘stocktake’.
Long-term: “Regional hubs” powering just transition, and provide resources and stories for other countries.
Enterprise level: Directly helped to accelerate impact of Winners & runnersup (via connection, business support & finance) to help Metro Mayors.
Tune worldrenowned awards for catalysing impact. Open to global applications (developed, developing and frontier markets) Focussed support for org. growth.
Build UK collaborations aiming at material influence of regional planning through new Metro Mayor offices and their influence.
Enterprise level: Directly helped Winners & runners-up in 2 regional hubs to deepen the field (via connection, business support & finance).
Build regional hubs for winner business support and finance & peer mentoring the next-wave (vernacular).
Priority Activities
Global integrated comms around sustainable energy for inclusive development and powering health outcomes in particular.
Evolve Ashden structure and functions for inc. impact. Enhance: Global comms; Fundraising; Analytical function (“the Brain”); Ashden Toolbox; Winner support.
For more information about Ashden, the Awards and Ashden’s Programmes please see www.ashden.org
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Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
Strategy
Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
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Financial
Our Finances 2017 4%
89%
Charitable Activities
1%
Voluntary
Investment
7%
Voluntary
Income
ÂŁ2.2m
99%
1%
Charitable Activities
Governance Spending
ÂŁ2.2m For a full breakdown of our finances please visit www.charitycommission.gov.uk or click here.
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Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
Organisational Structure
Organisation Structure Chief Executive
Director of Communications & People
PR and Digital Media Manager
Events Coordinator /PA to DoC & P and DoP
School Programme Manager
EMT
Director of Programmes
UK Programme Manager
UK Awards Manager
Director of Development
Int. Programme Manager
Financial Controller Senior Corporate Fundrasising Officer
UK Research & Advocacy Manager
Communications Senior Officer
Comms Officer
EA to the CEO
Admin Assistant & LESS CO2 Coordinator
Senior UK Programme Officer
Managers Officers
Fundraising Officer
Awards Coordinator
Senior Officers Admin
Int. Programme Senior Officer
Int. Programme Senior Officer
Int. Programme Officer
View information on our Trustees at www.ashden.org/about/the-trustees
Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
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About the role
Role Description Job title: Chief Executive Job overview:
Direct reports:
• To be a dynamic and inspirational leader for Ashden.
• Director of Communications and People
• Successfully lead Ashden to ensure that it is a well governed, managed and financed organisation that is effectively implementing a good strategy to achieve its mission – ‘To accelerate the transformation of global energy systems so that everyone, regardless of geography or status, has access to sustainable energy.’ • Be a key spokesperson for Ashden to help raise the profile of Ashden, the Awards and the issues and solutions that Ashden promotes. • Create and maintain high level and influential relationships and partnerships to help achieve our mission. • The CEO reports to the Chair of the Board of Trustees and is responsible to the Board for leading the strategic development and operational management of Ashden.
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Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
• Director of Programmes • Director of Development • Executive Assistant
Key working relationships: • The Chair and Trustees of Ashden • The Executive Management Team • The Director and Finance Director of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trust • The Leadership Group • Awards Judges and Advisers • Overall staff of circa 20
Principal responsibilities and activities: Providing strategic direction • Lead Ashden in a way that embodies our vision, mission and values and foster a spirit of team work across the Leadership Group and Ashden Team. • Work within Ashden’s existing mission and three year strategy (2018 – 21), to create an organisation with greater and important impact within the sector. At the appropriate moment, evolve the existing strategy, working with the EMT, Leadership Group and the trustees, and oversee and manage its implementation. • Help raise the profile of Ashden, its Award winners and its mission through speaking opportunities, social media and opinion pieces in the media. • Play an active role in engaging external donors and other stakeholders to maximise funding and support for Ashden. • Work on high level policy and partnership work with the relevant Director, e.g. develop high level partnerships with key funders, relevant bodies to help influence change and relevant Ministries/Ministers in UK, and the media. • To develop and maintain strategic relationships at national and international level with key influencers and decision makers to promote the charity’s aims and key messages. • Maintain awareness of risks and changes in the external environment that could affect Ashden.
Facilitating effective governance • Be accountable to the Chair and Board of Trustees, building a good and effective working relationship with the Chair of Trustees. • Provide regular reports to the Trustee Board, attending all Board and appropriate Sub-Committee Meetings. • Ensure good HR systems, procedures and structures are in place. • Ensure Ashden fulfills its legal, statutory and regulatory responsibilities. Leading people and operations • Lead the Executive Management Team (EMT) - line manage and bring out the best in each of the Directors, and foster a spirit of team work and collaboration within the EMT, as well as the wider team. • Set the overall budget with the Executive Management Team and approve the breakdown of the communications, fundraising and programme budgets. • Work closely with Director of Development to maximise fundraising opportunities. • Encourage a positive and inclusive team spirit. • Operate an open-door policy, fostering an environment of open discussion and sharing of ideas. • Recognise and support good work and respect everyone’s contribution.
Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
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About the role
Person Specification Experience and skills
Personal qualities
• Significant experience of successful strategic leadership and management within a charity, not-for-profit, small business or public sector organisation at Director or CEO level.
• A personal approach to leadership based on collaboration, accountability, openness and trust.
• Experience of working effectively with Boards of Trustees and a good understanding of governance requirements within a similar organisation. • Strong interpersonal, communication and influencing skills, including confidence with public speaking, representing the charity externally and writing or co-writing blogs and thought leadership articles. • A good understanding of fundraising and finance that is relevant for an expanding charity or social enterprise. • Knowledge and expertise of sustainability and/or development sectors and/or the energy sector/energy policy.
• Able to inspire and motivate people as a visionary leader and empowering others to contribute. • Able to think creatively and flexibly, with a solutions focus to addressing problems and challenges. • A strong strategist, able to work with the Board to define a clear direction for Ashden and then ensure its successful implementation. • A good communicator that is able to articulate Ashden’s vision, mission and the context in which it works both within and outside the organisation. • Passionate and knowledgeable about sustainability.
Education Degree level or equivalent qualification.
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Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
Details Location:
The Peak, 5 Wilton Road, London SW1
Job parameters:
Work 5 days a week, with at least 4 days based in Ashden’s office.
Salary:
Competitive salary woth a generous benefits package Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
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Application
How to Apply To apply, please forward your CV together with a supporting statement (the statement should be no more than 2 sides of A4). In your statement please provide evidence of your suitability against the criteria in the Person Specification and explain why you want to be Ashden’s new Chief Executive. Applications must be made via the Prospectus website: http://prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/details/hq00173622
Apply Here
Recruitment Timetable Deadline for applications: Interviews with Prospectus: Interviews with Ashden: Final Interviews with Ashden:
5 November 14 -21 November 13 December 18 December
Please let us know if you will require any special provision as a result of any disability should you be called for interview.
If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, or need additional information please contact our retained advisors Sara Livesey and James Wilkinson on 0207 691 1920 or email: sara.livesey@prospect-us.co.uk james.wilkinson@prospect-us.co.uk
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Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
Chief Executive | Ashden | October 2018
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