Energy Access Program Executive

The Energy Access Program Executive is the hands-on delivery engine of the Energy Access Department. Reporting to the Program Director, the role makes sure that Orang Asli / Orang Asal households and community centres receive reliable, safe and clean solar energy – and that every unit installed is properly planned, recorded, explained to the community and closed out.

The role works where community needs meet technical solutions, where funding commitments meet real delivery, and where plans meet on-the-ground reality. It coordinates site readiness, field installations, community training and beneficiary data so that communities trust SOLS because we follow through, and funders trust our numbers because they reflect what is actually installed.

Unlike the Program Manager level, this role does not own programme strategy, fundraising or policy advocacy; it executes and documents programmes within approved scope, and feeds accurate ground truth back to the Program Director.

Department context: Energy Access supports SOLS Foundation’s social impact commitments and SOLS Energy’s programme-based deployments and pilots. Group target (Malaysia): electrify 7,500 Orang Asli / Orang Asal homes.

1. Programme Planning & Site Readiness

• Support the Program Director in planning village and community-centre deployments against approved funder scope and timelines.
• Prepare and maintain the site readiness tracker for every assigned village – consent, beneficiary list, access route, stock, transport and safety.
• Conduct or coordinate pre-deployment site visits and basic needs assessments (household count, usage patterns, existing power sources such as diesel/kerosene).
• Block any installation that is not ready – no installation without readiness, consent and safety.
• Sequence and schedule trips to reduce disruption to community routines (harvest, festivals, school terms).

2. Installation Coordination & Field Execution

• Coordinate field trips end-to-end with Technical/Installation, Supply Chain and Logistics – stock allocation, transport, drivers, accommodation and team briefing.
• Be on site during deployments: lead community briefings, manage beneficiary queues/sign-offs, and verify every unit installed against the approved list.
• Work with the Technical team to confirm systems installed are safe, suitable and functioning before leaving site.
• Resolve day-to-day on-ground issues affecting beneficiaries and escalate safety incidents or serious community concerns immediately.
• Plan and run volunteer installation events with corporate partners and donors, ensuring volunteers are briefed, safe and respectful of the community.

3. Community Engagement & Training

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Tok Batin / village heads, community leaders and NGO PICs.
• Deliver simple, practical training to households and centre caretakers on system usage, care, maintenance and basic troubleshooting (in Bahasa Malaysia).
• Identify and develop local champions who can support neighbours and report issues after the team leaves.
• Manage community expectations honestly – never over-promise benefits, timelines or additional units.

4. Beneficiary Data, Documentation & Project Closure

• Keep accurate, real-time records of every household and centre served: names, household details, unit serial numbers, photos, GPS location and signed acknowledgements.
• Update trackers weekly to reflect real installation status – do not clean data only at reporting time.
• Reconcile installed units against approved beneficiary lists and funder-paid units every month; investigate and explain any gap.
• Log, follow up and close beneficiary issues; follow up partially served villages until complete.
• Prepare closure packs for each village/project so no community is left unsupported or confused.

5. Funder, Partner & Impact Reporting Support

• Prepare verified data packs, photos and progress summaries for the Program Director to use in funder, management and board reports.
• Collect beneficiary stories and consent for Marketing/Fundraising to share responsibly – accurate, dignified and never exaggerated.
• Run the 6-month community feedback cycle for completed villages and summarise findings and improvement recommendations.
• Support audits, evaluations and funder site visits with complete, defensible records.
• Contribute to proposals (e.g., Kampung Solar master proposal) with accurate deployment data and costings when requested.

6. Budget, Logistics & Administration

• Track trip costs (transport, fuel, accommodation, allowances, external drivers) against the approved programme budget and submit claims promptly.
• Raise purchase requests and coordinate with Finance and SCM within the spending authority delegated by the Program Director (department ceiling: RM10K).
• Maintain the Energy Access project management sheet, trip calendar and equipment/stock records.
• Ensure all deployments follow SOLS SOPs, safety standards and applicable regulations (incl. relevant TNB / Energy Commission requirements for non-domestic installs).

7. Continuous Improvement & Others

• Identify recurring problems across deployments and propose simple process fixes (DSAA).
• Stay updated on off-grid solar products and practices; share learnings with the team.
• Represent SOLS professionally at community events and partner engagements when assigned.
• Other relevant duties assigned by the Program Director / Management from time to time.

Essential

• Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies, Social Science, Environmental/Renewable Energy, Engineering, Project Management or a related field.
• 2–4 years’ experience in community development, NGO/social enterprise programmes, rural project coordination or renewable energy field operations (fresh graduates with strong field/volunteer exposure may be considered at the lower end of the range).
• Fluent in Bahasa Malaysia (spoken and written) and good working English for reports and funder communication.
• Willing and physically able to travel frequently to remote villages, stay overnight in basic conditions and work on uneven terrain.
• Strong organisation and record-keeping – comfortable with Google Sheets/Workspace and trackers; high attention to detail.
• Valid Malaysian driving licence (Class D).
• Respectful, patient and culturally sensitive approach to working with indigenous communities.

Preferred

• Prior experience working with Orang Asli / Orang Asal communities or rural/off-grid communities.
• Basic understanding of solar PV, pico solar or Solar Home Systems (or willingness to be trained by the Technical team).
• Experience coordinating volunteer events, CSR programmes or funder site visits.
• Experience with monitoring & evaluation, impact data collection or beneficiary surveys.
• Ability to drive a 4x4 vehicle (Hilux/Pajero) on rural roads.
• Knowledge of a Sabah/Sarawak or Orang Asli language is an advantage.

• Job Advancement: An opportunity for growth - personally and professionally.
• Create Real Impact: Know that the work you do changes lives every single day.
• Work in the New Normal: Use technology to increase work productivity and effectiveness.