Charlie Knight Email and Phone Number

Working in the Powering Healthcare team to provide technical and strategic advice, oversight and project management for initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, to improve energy access for healthcare facilities. Including a global State of the Market report, an Innovation Fund and initiatives in Madagascar, Somalia and Sierra Leone.

Providing strategic and technical advice for energy and environmental projects in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.Energy and Environmental Advisor:• Contributed to Lighting Global Nigeria PAYGo case study.• Delivered technical RE and BD advice and support to mini-grid initiatives in Burundi and Malawi.• Providing ongoing technical advice for energy and agricultural programmes in Malawi for Grassroots Africa.• Provided energy expertise for a report on Inclusive Green Finance for The Alliance of Financial Inclusion.• Advise on indicators for RE projects for investors to assess ESG impact, to commercial entities in Switzerland.Programme Management:• Continued as Senior Programme Manager on the SSF II project to ensure a smooth transition and handover.• Provided programme management resources and advice for initiatives in China, Indonesia, Mexico and Peru.Business Development:Managed the technical component of a GIZ proposal for a value chain programme in Nigeria, as well as responsibility for humanitarian and stabilisation case studies for UKAID Framework agreement bids.Completed MSc, including research into impact reporting and metrics on SHS initiatives in Kenya, and guest lecturer at Regent’s University.

Provide strategic advice and support for environmental and agricultural initiatives in Malawi. Particularly on how development can be most effective, looking into on the ground solutions and tree planting carbon initiatives.

Provided strategic direction and leadership to increase energy access in Africa and Asia. Managed a wide-ranging portfolio of consultancy clean energy projects in three strategic areas: humanitarian energy, productive use energy and clean cooking. Helped to drive, lead and co-ordinate business development and project delivery, whilst working with global offices. Ensured the successful completion of high quality and high impact work for clean energy development. Responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with a global network of energy associates and partner organisations. Worked with and submitted proposals to clients such as the WB, AfDB, GIZ/EnDev, USAID and FCDO. Co-authored various reports for the WB, GIZ and USAID, and developed internal advisory papers on carbon finance and humanitarian energy.

Provide strategic advice and support on renewable energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, including working on developing pilot mini-grid and SHS solutions, amongst others.

Highly proficient manager of geographically dispersed, multi-disciplinary teams, as well as the implementation of complex programmes, including:• Justice, Security & Peacebuilding - The Somalia Stability Fund II, a multi-donor £90 million fund that supports peace and stability in Somalia. Funded by FCDO and six other European donors.• Climate Change and Infrastructure - Solar Nigeria Programme, a £58 million FCDO initiative that has improved energy access for over two million people. Delivering clean and reliable power by accelerating the private markets for off-grid solar solutions and providing solar energy to government education and health facilities.Key responsibilities included overseeing all commercial, financial, risk and operational matters, whilst managing the programme’s strategic focus in tandem with the Team Leader.

Managed and lead the UK team as it grew and delivered significant and sustainable, environmental and education programmes in Malawi by providing scalable solutions to development challenges. Enthusiastic and effective advocate who is skilled at winning trust and influencing decision-makers and donors to support long-term initiatives, with experience for successfully managing relationships and budgets to ensure accountability and optimum value for money.

Set-up and oversaw 40,000 unit fuel-efficient cook-stove programme improving the livelihoods of over 250,000 people. Provided leadership and strategic planning to implement successful project, particularly with M&E. Managed registration with the UNFCCC as a Clean Development Mechanism Scheme in Malawi, whilst liaising with International Energy Experts to achieve this, including development of the PDD and in country data collection.

Undertook extensive testing of cook-stoves to assess effectiveness and maximise impact, as quantified by The Malawi Bureau of Standards, for UNFCC registration. Designed and drew plans to build local school buildings, and project managed their construction.

Worked for a structural engineering consultancy designing buildings, from commercial to residential. Coordinated multiple projects with design and site teams, and provided information about construction methods, risk assessments and budget requirements.