Global Director of Impact & Knowledge Management

New Energy Nexus•Oakland, CA

9d•Remote

About The Position

New Energy Nexus (NEX) is an international NGO that supports climate solutions and builds a more equitable clean energy economy, focusing on clean energy entrepreneurs through funding, accelerators, and networks. Founded in California in 2004, NEX operates across China, India, Southeast Asia, East and West Africa, and Australia. It has leveraged US$5.4 billion in investment and supported more than 11,000 entrepreneurs. The Global Director of Impact & Knowledge Management champions NEX’s development as a learning organization and leads its global Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) function. The role owns the global MEL framework, works with leadership to refine and maintain the global Theory of Change (TOC), and serves as the organization’s subject matter expert on TOC development and evaluation. The Director helps country offices, programs, and initiatives align their work with the global framework and demonstrate collective impact to funders, partners, and the clean energy entrepreneurship ecosystem. The Director oversees implementation of the existing global MEL framework across the network and strengthens it as NEX’s programs, geographies, partnerships, and priorities evolve. This includes providing practical guidance, templates, and coaching to country teams and programs, and helping ensure that collected data informs decisions, funding, and program improvements. The role partners closely with Strategy, Development, and Communications teams. The position leads global impact strategy, the Theory of Change, and MEL; supports chapters and country offices through capacity building; and leads knowledge management, data architecture, and impact reporting. It manages global impact data and reporting, supports the integration and responsible use of data and AI-enabled tools, and helps establish consistent, accurate impact figures and attribution across external communications.

Requirements

At least eight years of experience in impact measurement and management or monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
At least three years of experience working in organizations focused on climate change, clean energy, and/or entrepreneurship.
Demonstrated experience developing and applying a Theory of Change, log frames, MEL plans, and outcome indicators, and translating them into practical tools.
Experience managing impact databases and data quality processes using Airtable or a comparable platform, including data definitions, privacy standards, and consolidated reporting.
Experience applying equity-focused MEL approaches, including inclusive and participatory methods, disaggregated data analysis, and using evidence to identify and address inequities in program reach, participation, and outcomes.
Ability to influence the culture and collective behavior of a mission-driven team to build shared ownership and appreciation of MEL as a strategic competency.
Foundational knowledge of the climate, clean energy, and entrepreneurship support landscape, and willingness to self-learn in areas where knowledge is limited.
Ability to stay current with emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in MEL and knowledge management, including AI and digital tools for analysis, learning, and impact measurement.
Experience supporting fundraising with impact evidence, such as contributing to complex, multi-country, or unrestricted proposals and funder reports.
Experience training and coaching non-specialists in MEL and designing toolkits, templates, and learning sessions.
Proven ability to manage internal and external relationships effectively.
Demonstrated ability to design and maintain data systems, repositories, or dashboards that support organizational learning.
Experience in data management, analysis, and reporting.
Ability to work independently in a remote environment.
Experience supervising consultants.
Ability to travel a few times per year.
Experience working in a global environment.
Flexibility to accommodate meetings across different time zones.

Nice To Haves

Experience with recognized MEL frameworks and standards, including in-depth knowledge of how funders and impact investors use them.
Experience leveraging AI and/or automation tools to build knowledge and data management processes and systems.
Experience building or adding structure to an impact function or network during organizational transition.
Experience working with accelerators, incubators, or other entrepreneurship support programs and tracking post-program outcomes for startups and small businesses.

Responsibilities

Lead development and implementation of NEX’s global MEL framework, translating the Theory of Change into measurable outcomes and learning practices while embedding JEDI principles.
Refine and update standardized global impact indicators and data standards for collection, reporting, and management.
Design and implement organization-wide MEL policies, processes, and practices in collaboration with impact staff across the network.
Contribute to multi-country proposals and programs by developing log frames and MEL plans with clear indicators and learning loops.
Participate in country and global strategy discussions, helping shape and assess priorities and align them with NEX’s Theory of Change, impact goals, and JEDI commitments.
Manage global impact databases and produce regular reports for the board, NEX leadership, funders, and external audiences.
Co-lead the annual Global Impact Report project with the Communications team.
Provide technical guidance to chapters, program partners, and the fundraising team on Theory of Change, log frames, and indicators.
Build staff capacity in MEL through training, a global toolkit of templates and guidance, and cross-learning sessions.
Work with chapters to align their theories of change and MEL plans with the global framework while respecting local context.
Lead monthly Impact Guild meetings and an annual in-person convening to share best practices and insights.
Provide one-to-one advisory support to chapter impact leads on MEL topics.
Embed learning in NEX’s culture and use network-wide impact data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities that inform program and product strategy.
Lead organization-wide knowledge management structures, data systems, and AI strategy for MEL, program design, and stakeholder management.
Integrate knowledge management systems and databases across teams, ensuring information is accurate, accessible, organized, and useful for decision-making.
Oversee data governance, security, and responsible data use, including in AI-enabled knowledge tools.
Own and manage the global impact database, currently Airtable, including its structure, definitions, privacy and quality standards, and biannual update cycles with chapters and partners.
Use and integrate AI into MEL systems to improve efficiency and consistency in data collection, validation, analysis, and reporting while protecting data privacy and quality.
Work with Communications to incorporate informed-consent stories and case studies into routine impact data collection and share emerging insights in time to inform external communications.
Maintain an approved set of impact figures and review external materials for accuracy and attribution before publication.
Support fundraising with impact evidence, including contributions to complex and multi-country proposals and funder reports.
Supervise consultants.
Travel a few times per year and accommodate meetings across time zones.