Solar Stewardship Initiative – Asia Lead

Location: Asia (India/Southeast Asia preferred)

Reports to: CEO

Role type: Full-time, one year contract with possibility for renewal dependent on funding.

Travel: Frequent intraregional and periodic international travel

 

Background on the Solar Stewardship Initiative

The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) is a global, multistakeholder initiative launched in 2023 to ensure that solar energy is not only clean in output but also just and sustainable in origin. SSI was created in response to mounting concerns over environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in solar supply chains, including forced labour, lack of traceability, and environmental impacts. It brings together industry leaders, civil society organisations, financial institutions, and ESG experts to implement robust ESG and Supply Chain Traceability Standards—the first independent assurance system dedicated solely to solar PV. With members representing over 70% of global PV module supply, SSI aims to drive systemic change, foster transparency, and strengthen the credibility of solar energy as a cornerstone of the global energy transition.

Mission of the Role

Drive SSI’s expansion and impact across Asia and especially India, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam by embedding credible ESG and traceability standards into solar supply chains in emerging solar markets. Partnering with civil society organisations, industry associations, labour unions, and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) —to embed SSI standards into solar deployment, financing, and manufacturing frameworks and promote just and sustainable solar growth in the region.

Key Responsibilities

1) Representation and Regional Leadership

  • Lead SSI’s policy, advocacy, and partnership activities across South and Southeast Asia, acting as the central point of contact for regional stakeholders.
  • Establish and maintain a network of regional focal points—including civil society organisations, industry associations, and development finance institutions (DFIs)—to embed SSI standards into solar deployment frameworks.
  • Represent SSI at major events positioning SSI as the global benchmark for responsible solar.

2) Policy engagement

  • Support governments and DFIs in Asia to integrate SSI-aligned ESG and traceability requirements into public procurement, financing, or industrial policy.
  • Develop targeted policy briefs and engage in high-level dialogues with ministries and DFIs (e.g., AIIB, ADB) to advance responsible solar sourcing and trade.

3) Industry Engagement

  • Engage leading manufacturers and developers across India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam to initiate adoption of SSI’s ESG and Supply Chain Traceability Standards.
  • Provide technical guidance and capacity-building to accelerate compliance and transparency within regional supply chains.
    • Collaborate closely with the SSI global Membership and Outreach team to identify and engage potential new SSI members across South and Southeast Asia, in line with SSI’s strategic priorities and eligibility criteria.
    • Work with the SSI assessment and assurance team to help identify credible regional consultants, auditors, and technical experts with relevant ESG, human rights, and traceability expertise, supporting the expansion and diversification of the pool of SSI-approved Assessment Bodies and consultants operating in the region.
    • Provide regional market intelligence and feedback to the SSI Secretariat to inform outreach strategies, capacity-building needs, and the continuous strengthening of SSI’s assurance system.

4) Civil Society Engagement

  • Lead engagement and build partnerships with unions and NGOs and other stakeholders to support SSI’s work throughout the region.
  • Convene multi-stakeholder roundtables in India and Southeast Asia to strengthen worker and community voices in solar supply chains.
  • Build partnerships with trade unions and local NGOs to support monitoring, worker engagement, and inclusive just transition outcomes.

5) Communications and risk management

  • Together SSI Comms team, develop and implement an impactful, regional communications strategy.
  • Lead on any risk management and crisis communications related to SSI’s work in the region.

Candidate Profile

Essential

  • 8–12+ years’ experience in ESG/supply chain sustainability, human rights due diligence, responsible sourcing, or energy transition policy in Asia.
  • Demonstrated experience working with governments, DFIs, or regional policy platforms in Asia.
  • Proven track record building coalitions across industry, civil society, and public institutions in Asia.
  • Exceptional relationship management and programme management skills.
  • Fluency in English; working proficiency in one regional language preferred.

Desirable

  • Experience with third-party auditing, buyer/supplier engagement programmes, and DFI/government policy integration.
  • Technical familiarity with solar PV supply chains and traceability mechanisms
  • Experience engaging trade unions, worker organisations, and community-based NGOs in supply chain or industrial policy contexts.
  • Prior work in/with India and Southeast Asia solar manufacturers, and familiarity with civil society ecosystems.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive with leading international NGOs/initiatives; commensurate with experience and regional benchmarks.

How to Apply

Please send a CV and a short statement outlining relevant experience in the key Asian markets, stakeholder partnerships, and examples of traceability or assurance implementation to [email protected]