CEO

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 4th June 6-7pm and we will send you a link.

Application Deadline: 5pm, Monday 22nd June 2026

First Interviews: w/c 6th July 2026

Final Interviews: w/c 13th July

How to Apply

Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to SolarAid on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV to Charity People 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 or Tiku van Houtem or send an email to Senior Appointments at Charity People

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.