Project Lead Strengthening decentralized renewable energy governance in Lebanon

Reference: Renewable Energy Project Lead
Deadline to Apply: October 2, 2026

Overall Purpose

The Arab Reform Initiative (ARI) is seeking a full-time Project Lead to head an effort to promote decentralized renewable energy and improved electricity governance in Lebanon. The person will be expected to operate on multiple levels: (i) work closely with municipalities and local actors to scale up successful decentralized energy initiatives and promote their replication across the country through the dissemination of lessons learned and best practices, (ii) coordinate research and advocacy efforts at the national level to ensure legal and regulatory alignment, and (iii) explore sustainable financial models to scale up decentralized energy systems.

A central component of the role is working with ARI’s existing partners notably through coordinating the NOUR Energy Coalition, established in October 2025. The coalition brings together civil society organisations, experts, municipalities and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge, support locally led energy initiatives and advocate collectively for equitable, accountable and financially sustainable decentralized energy solutions.

The Project Lead will be responsible for project-cycle management, coalition and partner coordination, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, budget monitoring and the timely delivery of high-quality project outputs, including research outputs, a toolkit for municipalities, communications and advocacy.

About ARI

ARI is an independent policy research centre committed to advancing governance reforms and social justice across the Arab region. ARI combines policy research, advocacy and convening to amplify knowledge and perspectives from the region and engage civil society organisations, researchers, policymakers, social movements and the media.

Scope of Work

1. Project Leadership and Implementation

  • Lead the development and implementation of the project and coalition’s workplan, methodology, timeline and coordination arrangements.
  • Oversee the full project cycle, ensuring that activities, outputs and outcomes are advancing the Coalition’s objectives. Notably, the objectives include: (i) generating evidence and analytical tools to support informed policymaking and advocacy around decentralized renewable energy and (ii) direct engagement with municipalities and communities to better understand the constraints and opportunities shaping decentralized energy initiatives. Lessons learned will be included in a toolkit addressed to municipalities.
  • Develop advocacy strategies, workplans, activity trackers, meeting records and supporting documentation.

2. Coalition and Partner Coordination

  • Serve as the primary coordination point for the NOUR Energy Coalition and maintain regular communication with its members.
  • Build trusted and constructive relationships among coalition members, municipalities, local organisations, researchers, experts and other stakeholders.
  • Organise and facilitate coalition meetings, bilateral consultations, workshops and other joint activities.
  • Document decisions, responsibilities and agreed actions and ensure timely follow-up.
  • Support coalition members in developing shared priorities, positions and advocacy initiatives on decentralized renewable energy and electricity governance.
  • Identify opportunities to expand the coalition and strengthen its engagement with relevant public institutions, municipalities, civil society actors and policy stakeholders.
  • Coordinate partner and consortium contributions and help resolve operational or coordination challenges.

3. Research, Policy Engagement and Advocacy

  • Coordinate the production and timely delivery of research, assessments, policy briefs, case studies and other project outputs.
  • Support consultations and validation workshops with municipalities, experts, civil society organisations, energy practitioners and affected communities.
  • Facilitate the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned and good practices from decentralized renewable energy initiatives in Lebanon.
  • Contribute to evidence-based advocacy on the governance, regulation, financing and sustainability of decentralized energy systems.
  • Ensure that environmental justice, inclusion and local participation are reflected across project research and advocacy.

4. Project Management

  • Track progress against agreed indicators, milestones and results and maintain the information required for monitoring and learning.
  • Work with the Program Director, Finance Officer and project partners to ensure compliance with requirements.

5. Communications and Events

  • Work with ARI’s Communications team and the Coalition to develop and disseminate accessible project and coalition materials, including policy briefs, newsletters, factsheets, advocacy materials and human-interest stories.
  • Be willing to publicly communicate and represent project findings and coalition activities.
  • Lead stakeholder outreach, manage invitations and participation, and oversee logistical and substantive preparations.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate must be based in Lebanon and legally able to work in the country. The candidate should demonstrate a strong commitment to pushing community-based renewable energy solutions and to supporting locally grounded knowledge, participation and advocacy. The ideal candidate will combine the following qualities: 1) strong knowledge and understanding of the electricity sector in Lebanon, and notably the challenges that have prevented adoption of renewable energy at the local level (beyond individual solutions); 2) an ability to analyze and articulate possible paths forward combined with a passion to push these approaches with local actors (notably municipalities) and relevant national and international actors; 3) a high aptitude to work with a broad range of partners, and having multiple efforts running in parallel. The tasks of this role range from organizing high-level advocacy meetings in Beirut as well as running workshops with municipalities. The selected person needs to be willing to go to different parts of Lebanon to engage with municipalities (security permitting).

Required qualifications and experience include:

  • A master’s degree in social sciences, public policy, environmental policy, energy policy or management, development studies, political science, environmental justice or another relevant field. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and substantial relevant professional experience may also be considered.
  • At least five years of relevant professional experience, including responsibility for managing multi-stakeholder projects.
  • Demonstrated experience in project-cycle management, including project planning, implementation, monitoring, risk management and reporting. Experience managing and developing written outputs (reports, toolkits, training materials) is important.
  • Experience monitoring project budgets, expenditure and forecasts and coordinating with finance and administrative teams.
  • Proven experience coordinating partners, coalitions or consortia and facilitating collaborative planning and decision-making.
  • Experience engaging municipalities, civil society organisations, researchers, experts, public institutions and other policy stakeholders in Lebanon.
  • Familiarity with energy or environmental policy, renewable energy, electricity governance, climate policy or environmental justice in Lebanon.
  • Strong organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and meet deadlines.
  • Excellent writing, communication, facilitation and relationship-management skills.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
  • Excellent command of Arabic and English, both written and spoken.

Contract Conditions

This is a full-time, 12-month position, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and the evolution of the coalition.

The position is based in Lebanon, with an immediate or mutually agreed starting date. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Lebanon.

To Apply

Please send your CV (max. two pages) and a cover letter describing your qualifications and motivation for the position to: recruitment@arab-reform.net with the reference “Renewable Energy Project Lead” subject.

The closing date is October 2, 2026