Senior Associate: Flagship Programmes & Social Impact Partnerships

Senior Associate: Flagship Programmes & Social Impact Partnerships

About the Company

Since its establishment in 2008, Mulilo has grown into one of South Africa’s leading Independent Power Producers (IPP). Mulilo is majority owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), with Norfund holding an additional investment through the Norwegian Climate Investment Fund.

Mulilo develops, constructs and operates utility scale wind, solar PV and battery energy storage projects across South Africa. The company currently operates 450 MW of wind and solar capacity, with a further 765 MW under construction. A portfolio exceeding 2 GW is advancing toward financial close, while the long term development pipeline exceeds 30 GW.

Mulilo has concluded power purchase agreements under the South African government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), as well as private offtake agreements with several large corporate energy users.

Mulilo places significant emphasis on its people and recognises that successful infrastructure delivery depends on capable and committed teams. The company prides itself on providing a world-class working environment, with a clear focus on career progression and personal growth. Grounded in its values, Mulilo fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration and purpose, while remaining committed to its environmental, social and governance responsibilities.

About this role

The Senior Associate: Flagship Programmes & Social Impact Partnerships is responsible for the strategic development, implementation, and oversight of high-impact flagship programmes within the Social Impact portfolio. This role leads resource mobilisation efforts, cultivates and manages key stakeholder relationships, and ensures programmes deliver measurable, sustainable outcomes aligned with the organisation’s mission and priorities.

Duties and responsibilities

Flagship Programme Development & Management

• Design, develop, and scale flagship social impact programmes aligned with organisational strategy.
• Oversee end-to-end programme lifecycle, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Ensure programmes are evidence-based, innovative, and responsive to community and sector needs.
• Drive continuous improvement through data, learning, and impact measurement.

Resource Mobilisation

• Develop and execute resource mobilisation strategies to secure funding and in-kind support.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities including grants, partnerships, sponsorships, and donor engagement.
• Lead proposal development, budgeting, and reporting processes.
• Build and maintain relationships with funders and donors to ensure long-term sustainability.

Stakeholder Management & Partnerships

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with government, NGOs, private sector, and community stakeholders.
• Act as a key representative of the organisation in external forums, networks, and collaborations.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure alignment with programme goals and impact objectives.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across internal and external stakeholders.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and mentor programme staff and cross-functional teams.
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative, and impact-driven culture.
• Manage budgets, timelines, and resources effectively to ensure programme success.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and impact metrics.
• Ensure robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems are in place.
• Prepare high-quality reports for internal leadership, funders, and stakeholders.
• Use insights and data to inform strategy and decision-making.

Required skills and education background

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Policy, Business, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in social impact, development programmes, or related sectors.
• Proven track record in managing large-scale programmes and securing funding.
• Strong experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership development.
• Strategic thinking and programme design expertise
• Strong fundraising and resource mobilisation skills
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities
• Financial management and budgeting proficiency
• Strong analytical, monitoring, and evaluation capabilities
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills
• Leadership and team management experience

Desirable attributes

The ideal candidate would have a passion for the Renewable Energy sector and personality traits would include a high level of diligence, determination, resilience, and agility. Mulilo is an employer of choice and is offering an extremely competitive total remuneration package for this position.

Additional Information

Able to work overtime according to operational needs.

The position is based at the offices of the company, but travel may be required occasionally.