Senior Strategist

Job Description

Tara Climate Foundation is a philanthropic climate foundation dedicated to fostering a future where Asia's unwavering commitment to climate action paves the way for just, thriving and resilient societies. Tara operates in East, Southeast and South Asia, excluding India and China.

Our mission is to support a diverse group of partners in accelerating Asia's energy transformation and championing climate action. Tara plays three main roles in the region:

• Grantmaker: Tara works closely with mission-aligned foundations and philanthropists to pool resources and grant funds to organisations working to accelerate Asia's energy transition and climate action (excluding China and India).
• Convenor: Tara cultivates networks that facilitate the exchange of ideas between business, civil society, and government throughout and beyond Asia.
• Local and regional expert: With strong networks spanning civil society, businesses and government, Tara funds thorough research and analysis to address knowledge gaps, stay abreast of emerging trends, and craft evidence-based strategies to advance our mission.

Despite heightened global focus on climate issues, philanthropic giving toward climate change initiatives remains disproportionately low, constituting just 2% of worldwide philanthropic giving, with an even smaller percentage allocated to Asia. In response to this challenge, in 2021 Tara established its headquarters in Singapore and has experienced significant growth, expanding our funding base to include more than a dozen philanthropic foundations. Currently, we provide grants to over 300 organisations operating across 13 countries and jurisdictions in the Asia region. Our team of over 50 experts is spread across the Asia-Pacific region, working to combat climate change in this decisive decade.

About the role

The Senior Strategist, Thailand, works closely with the Program Director to accelerate Thailand's energy transition and expand Tara's impact nationally and regionally. The role supports the design and delivery of Tara's Thailand strategy to advance renewable energy adoption and a just energy transition, in partnership with think tanks, civil society, business, and government.

The Senior Strategist develops integrated strategies across sustainable economic development, corporate decarbonization, and climate finance; leads grantmaking and partnerships; and builds strong national and international networks. The role also represents Tara externally and ensures effective coordination, compliance, and risk management to deliver high-impact outcomes.

Key responsibilities

Program strategy

• Lead partner-informed strategies to accelerate a just energy transition across policy, markets, infrastructure, corporate decarbonization, and climate finance.
• Support the Program Director to design, deliver, and assess the Thailand grantmaking strategy.
• Track progress and impact through monthly updates, quarterly reporting, and learning.
• Contribute to program planning, budgeting, KPI tracking, and funding proposals.
• Monitor political and economic developments and adapt strategies accordingly.
• Support the Country Director on priority projects advancing the country strategy.

Partnerships and coordination

• Build a trust-based ecosystem of diverse partners working toward shared goals.
• Network with grantees, industry, policymakers, and national, regional, and international actors.
• Coordinate partners across Thailand and beyond to achieve collective impact.
• Support network strengthening and organisational development among partners.

Representation and networking

• Maintain strong relationships with funders, civil society, business, and government.
• Strengthen partners' capacity to engage with government, international financial institutions, and diplomatic missions, enhancing Thailand's influence in global climate and energy forums.
• Identify and leverage strategic domestic and international opportunities to advance renewable energy outcomes in Thailand.

Grantmaking

• Identify, assess, and onboard new grantees aligned with the country strategy.
• Review proposals and develop grant packages ensuring strategic alignment, clear outcomes, compliance, and risk management.
• Design and manage a portfolio of grants across priority climate mitigation sectors.
• Advise and support grantees to achieve strong results.
• Monitor grantee performance, deliverables, reporting quality, and budgets.

Expertise and collaboration

• Apply insights from national, regional, and global energy and policy trends to adapt programs.
• Use deep understanding of Thailand's political, social, economic, and energy context to identify risks and opportunities.
• Communicate clearly and confidently with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Convene partners through meetings and workshops and collaborate closely with Tara's regional teams.

Compliance and risk

• Adhere to organisational policies on compliance, finance, procurement, HR, and IT.
• Support risk management, safeguarding, and security to protect people, information, and assets.

Person specification

Experience and skills

• 10+ years of relevant experience in foundations, donor agencies, NGOs, or clean energy or financial institutions.
• 5+ years in management roles, including leading junior staff or small teams.
• Strong understanding of Thailand's policy landscape and political economy.
• Proven strategic and systems thinking, with the ability to translate strategy into action.
• Strong networking and partnership-building skills.
• Experience in campaigning or policy advocacy is an advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Thai.
• Experience in grants management and working effectively with civil society partners.
• Strong planning, prioritisation, and evaluation skills.
• Proficiency in standard office tools and comfort adopting new digital platforms.

Personal attributes

• Deep commitment to solving the climate crisis and driving systemic change.
• Highly organised, self-directed, and collaborative.
• Proactive, adaptable, and comfortable with complexity.
• Willingness to work across time zones and travel regionally and internationally.
• High ethical standards and experience handling confidential information.

Education

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in renewable energy, environmental management, business administration, economics, or sustainable development.

Location

• Based in Thailand; Thai citizen or long-term resident with legal right to work.

What Tara Foundation can offer

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, international team who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for career develop and challenge yourself
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• A collaborative, fun and thriving team, driven by our mission and live our values

To Apply

Please submit an A4 covering letter outlining your skills and achievements against the role responsibilities, why you would like to join us and your salary expectations, along with your up-to-date CV at [email protected]. Please use the job title: Senior Strategist, Thailand as the subject in your email. Applications without a cover letter will not be assessed.

Tara is committed to building leadership capacity within Asia. This position is based in Thailand. Applicants must have the right to work in the country.

We appreciate everyone's application, but only have the resources to respond to shortlisted applicants. If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, please assume you are unsuccessful for this role. If this is you, we appreciate your support and consideration and hope you will continue to consider roles with Tara in the future!