Executive Director

Executive Director

Full-Time | Remote (US)| $70,000-$80,000

Application Deadline: June 19, 2026 |Rolling Review

About Twende Solar

Twende, Swahili for "let's go," is a Portland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to bring clean, reliable energy to communities that need it most. Worldwide, 666 million people lack access to electricity, including 186 million primary school children, and these are the communities that Twende exists to support. Since 2015, we have served more than 11,000 individuals across Ethiopia, Ghana, and other countries around the world by designing and installing solar energy systems at schools, health clinics, and community centers that would otherwise lack reliable power.

Our work is rooted in partnership. We mobilize solar industry professionals as volunteers, collaborate with community organizations, raise funds from individuals, companies, and organizations, and deliver high-impact projects at a fraction of market cost. Twende has an active pipeline of projects, including a 40 kW multi-site solar deployment across Bolivar Province, Ecuador, and multiple installations at schools in the Bompaso area of Ghana.

Twende is governed by an active, hands-on Board of Directors that brings deep expertise in renewable energy and the nonprofit sector to the organization. Board members include solar PV industry professionals, renewable energy attorneys, and development specialists who contribute directly to project design, funder relationships, and organizational strategy.

Twende is at an inflection point. Our project track record is strong, our mission is urgent, and our next phase requires a leader who can build the organizational infrastructure and funder relationships to match our ambitions.

The Opportunity

Twende Solar is seeking an Executive Director (ED), a builder, not just a manager. This is a rare opportunity for a mission-driven leader to step into a high-impact role with real latitude, shaping Twende's voice, deepening its funding base, expanding its partnerships, and putting in place the organizational infrastructure to grow.

The ED reports to and works in close collaboration with the Board of Directors. The board is actively engaged and will provide the support the ED needs to develop its strategy and execute its plan.

The right candidate will be equally at home writing a foundation grant, building a relationship with a corporate sustainability officer, and presenting Twende's story to a community audience. They will be driven by the belief that access to clean energy is a matter of equity and that community-centered approaches are the most powerful path to lasting change.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Donor Engagement (60%)

This is the single most critical function of the role. Twende's growth depends on a leader who can significantly expand and diversify its funding base.

• Lead and execute an annual fundraising strategy spanning foundation grants, corporate partnerships, individual major donors, and public funding sources
• Write compelling grant proposals, reports, and donor communications; manage the full grants lifecycle from prospecting through stewardship
• Cultivate and deepen relationships with current funders and build a robust pipeline of new prospects, including foundation program officers, corporate social responsibility leads, and individual champions
• Develop and manage Twende's corporate giving program (Give a Watt) and pursue new corporate partnerships aligned with the solar and clean energy sector
• Coordinate board members as fundraising ambassadors and support their donor outreach and relationship development
• Design and execute donor engagement campaigns, end-of-year appeals, and supporter communications
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including foundation, government, and earned income sources

Communications and External Relations (20%)

• Serve as Twende's primary public spokesperson and brand steward, representing the organization at conferences, community events, funder convenings, and media opportunities
• Oversee organizational storytelling across all channels: website, social media, newsletters, annual reports, and project impact communications
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with peer organizations, solar industry partners, community organizations, and sector coalitions
• Develop communication strategies that translate project impact into compelling narratives for diverse audiences
• Manage external communications in coordination with board members and volunteer contributors

Operations, Administration and Strategic Leadership (20%)

• Manage day-to-day organizational operations: financial tracking, vendor relationships, compliance, insurance, and nonprofit reporting requirements
• Oversee budgeting and coordinate with Twende's bookkeeper/accountant; prepare financial updates and board meeting materials
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors on organizational strategy, multi-year planning, and mission-aligned growth
• Identify and pursue opportunities for sustainable organizational development, including new geographies, program models, and earned income streams
• Build and coordinate Twende's volunteer network to support ongoing initiatives
• Improve internal systems and operational efficiency as the organization grows

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of leadership experience in a nonprofit, social enterprise, or renewable energy organization, with a demonstrated track record of fundraising success
• Experience with solar energy, renewable energy, or clean technology sectors at any organizational level
• Proven grant writing ability and experience managing the full grants lifecycle, including foundation, corporate, and/or government sources
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives for diverse audiences
• Experience managing multiple projects and priorities in a lean, fast-moving organizational environment
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with funders, partners, and community stakeholders
• Comfort operating with significant autonomy and initiative; this role requires a self-starter who thrives without a large support team
• Cross-cultural communication skills and genuine respect for community-led development approaches
• Passion for energy equity, climate resilience, and the belief that underserved communities deserve access to clean power

Preferred

• International program coordination experience, particularly in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, or other Global South contexts
• Nonprofit budget management and financial oversight experience
• Experience working with schools, health clinics, community institutions, or rural and indigenous infrastructure projects
• Familiarity with Portland's nonprofit, environmental, and social justice ecosystem
• Spanish proficiency or other relevant language skills
• Experience developing corporate partnerships or earned income programs

Who You Are

We recognize that strong candidates will bring different combinations of experience and skills. Beyond credentials, we are looking for someone who embodies these qualities:

• A builder's mindset: you are energized by creating things from the ground up and find ambiguity more exciting than daunting
• A relationship-first orientation: you cultivate trust with funders, partners, and communities as a genuine expression of who you are, not just a job function
• A compelling communicator and storyteller: you can move people with Twende's mission in a grant proposal, a social media caption, or a conversation at a conference
• Comfortable holding both the strategic and the tactical: you can think five years ahead and then go write a grant due Friday
• Mission-rooted and values-aligned: you see clean energy access as an equity issue and community partnership as non-negotiable
• Resilient and adaptable: international development work requires navigating complexity, setbacks, and changing conditions with grace

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $70,000-$80,000 commensurate with experience
• Fully remote position; open to candidates anywhere in the United States
• Generous paid time off and health benefits
• Opportunities for domestic and international project travel
• Meaningful professional growth within a mission-driven, values-aligned organization

Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

At Twende Solar, we believe that access to clean, reliable energy is a fundamental ingredient for thriving communities, and that the communities most excluded from energy systems are often those that stand to benefit most from them. That belief shapes not only the work we do, but how we do it.

We are committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We value lived experience alongside professional credentials, and we actively work to foster a culture of belonging where diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and identities are seen as strengths. We recognize that the renewable energy sector has historically lacked diversity, and we are committed to helping change that.

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others from communities that have been underrepresented in the environmental and energy sectors.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Twende Solar is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

How to Apply

To be considered for this position, please submit the following to hello@twendesolar.org with the subject line

"Executive Director Application":

• A cover letter describing your interest in Twende Solar and how your experience aligns with this role (no more than 2 pages)
• A current resume or CV

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early submission; the priority deadline is June 19, 2026. This position will remain open until filled.

Heath benefits, and generous PTO.

English proficiency and other non-native relevant language skills are preferred.