Partnerships Associate Central Africa (Bilingual)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Partnerships Associate Central Africa (Bilingual)

🔹 Company: Sun King

🔹 Location: Douala, Cameroon

🔹 Job Type: Permanent - Full Time

🔹 Category: Sales & Business Development

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-22

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Identifying and developing new business opportunities in the renewable energy sector
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships
• Driving sales and partnership initiatives, particularly in solar and clean energy markets
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to provide partner inventory projections and process partner orders
• Compiling reports on account progress, goals, and projections for stakeholders

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive and results-oriented individual with a strong background in sales or business development, preferably in the renewable energy sector. Excellent communication skills in both French and English are essential for success in this position.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Research and source new partners

✅ Identify and develop new business opportunities

✅ Drive onboarding of new partnerships

✅ Grow existing accounts

✅ Plan and supervise continuous on-going engagement with partners

✅ Address and resolve partners’ complaints

✅ Interact with internal cross-functional teams to provide partner inventory projections and process partner orders from order initiation to shipment phase

✅ Compile reports on account progress, goals, and projections for stakeholders

✅ Develop a thorough knowledge of partners’ needs and requirements

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have a proven track record in account management, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to work well in a team with less supervision.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Renewable Energy, Engineering, or related field.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in sales or a similar role (experience in renewable energy is a strong plus)

Required Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English
• Strong data skills and problem-solving abilities
• Proven experience in account management
• Ability to handle multiple client accounts
• Strong negotiation skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Ability to work well in a team and with less supervision
• Strong people management skills
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in MS Office and relevant software

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the renewable energy sector and proficiency in MS Office will have a significant advantage in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is estimated to be between $35,000 and $50,000 per year, based on industry standards for a sales associate with 2-5 years of experience in the renewable energy sector in Cameroon.

Benefits:

• Professional growth in a dynamic, rapidly expanding, high-social-impact industry.
• An open-minded, collaborative culture made up of enthusiastic colleagues who are driven by the challenge of innovation towards profound impact on people and the planet.
• A truly multicultural experience: you will have the chance to work with and learn from people from different geographies, nationalities, and backgrounds.
• Structured, tailored learning and development programs that help you become a better leader, manager, and professional through the Sun Center for Leadership.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are 40 hours per week, with flexibility for travel and client engagement as needed.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on the candidate's experience and the company's internal compensation structure.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Sun King operates in the renewable energy sector, focusing on designing, distributing, installing, and financing solar energy solutions for consumers without reliable access to traditional electrical grid connections.

Company Size: Sun King is a medium-sized company with 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

Founded: Sun King was founded in 2009, with a mission to power access to brighter lives in Africa, Asia, and beyond.

Company Description:

• Sun King is the leading off-grid solar provider globally, powering over 20 million homes in more than 40 countries across the globe.
• The company offers a range of solar energy solutions, including solar home systems, solar lanterns, and solar-powered accessories.
• Sun King is committed to driving social impact by providing affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions to underserved communities.

Company Specialties:

• Solar home systems
• Solar lanterns
• Solar-powered accessories
• Renewable energy solutions

Company Website: https://sunking.com/

ASSUMPTION: Sun King's focus on social impact and innovation makes it an attractive employer for candidates seeking to make a positive difference in the world.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is suitable for early to mid-career professionals with 2-5 years of experience in sales or business development.

Reporting Structure: The Partnerships Associate will report directly to the Partnership Manager, Francophone West and Central Africa.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site role based in Douala, Cameroon, with frequent travel required to meet with clients and partners.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to a senior sales or business development role within the company
• Expansion of responsibilities to cover additional regions or product lines
• Opportunities for international assignments or relocation within the company's global network

ASSUMPTION: Sun King's global presence and commitment to employee development provide strong growth opportunities for the right candidate.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Sun King's office in Douala, Cameroon, is a collaborative and multicultural workspace, reflecting the company's global mission.

Office Location(s): The primary office for this role is located in Douala, with frequent travel required to meet with clients and partners.

Geographic Context:

• Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and an important economic hub for the region.
• The city offers a mix of urban and coastal living, with a vibrant cultural scene and a growing startup ecosystem.
• Cameroon is a bilingual country, with French and English as official languages, making it an ideal location for a bilingual sales professional.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours for this role are 40 hours per week, with flexibility for travel and client engagement as needed.

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a multicultural environment and have a strong appreciation for the unique challenges and opportunities presented by working in a developing market.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video call interview to assess communication skills and cultural fit
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager to discuss the role and company in more detail
• Final interview with senior leadership to evaluate the candidate's fit for the company's mission and values

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills in French and English
• Sales and business development experience
• Problem-solving abilities and attention to detail
• Cultural fit and alignment with Sun King's mission and values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in sales, business development, or a related field.
• Demonstrate your proficiency in French and English through your application materials.
• Showcase your understanding of the renewable energy sector and Sun King's mission and values.
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your sales experience, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.

ATS Keywords: Sales, Business Development, Renewable Energy, Partnerships, Account Management, French, English, Cameroon, Douala, Solar, Clean Energy

ASSUMPTION: Sun King's hiring process is designed to evaluate candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, with a strong emphasis on communication and problem-solving abilities.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in MS Office and relevant sales and project management tools is essential for success in this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Innovation
• Impact
• Integrity
• Collaboration
• Excellence

Work Style:

• Dynamic and fast-paced
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and focused on social impact
• Adaptable and comfortable with change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with Sun King's values of innovation, impact, integrity, collaboration, and excellence?
• How do you approach building and maintaining strong client relationships in a multicultural environment?
• How do you stay organized and manage multiple client accounts in a fast-paced and changing work environment?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with Sun King's values and work style will be well-suited to this role and the company's mission.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working in a fast-paced and changing environment may require adaptability and flexibility
• Frequent travel may be required to meet with clients and partners
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships in a multicultural environment may present unique challenges and opportunities
• Working in a developing market may require a strong understanding of local cultural norms and business practices

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic and changing environment and have a strong appreciation for the unique challenges and opportunities presented by working in a developing market.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other sales and business development positions in the renewable energy sector, but with a focus on partnership development and account management
• Unlike some sales roles, this position requires a strong understanding of both French and English, as well as experience working in a bilingual environment
• Career progression in this role may lead to opportunities in senior sales or business development roles, as well as international assignments or relocation within the company's global network

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in sales or business development in the renewable energy sector will find this role to be a strong fit, with unique opportunities for growth and development.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a strategic plan for expanding Sun King's partnership portfolio in the Central African region
• Conducting market research to identify new business opportunities in the solar and clean energy markets
• Managing the onboarding process for new partners, including training and support

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to give candidates a sense of the types of responsibilities and initiatives they may be involved in as a Partnerships Associate at Sun King.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does Sun King support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does Sun King measure success for this role, and how will my performance be evaluated?
• What are the most challenging aspects of working in the renewable energy sector in Cameroon, and how does Sun King address these challenges?
• How does Sun King foster a culture of innovation and impact, and how can I contribute to this culture as a Partnerships Associate?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the opportunities for growth and development.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in sales, business development, or a related field, with a focus on your proficiency in French and English and your understanding of the renewable energy sector.
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your sales experience, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.
• Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.