The ACF, established in 2020, is a strategic grant making foundation working at the nexus of climate change and development on the African continent. We are committed to shifting the narrative on climate change and development and finding novel solutions to complex African challenges. We are part of an influential network of strategic grant-making foundations and thought leaders in the field of climate change and development.
ACF seeks to appoint a COP27 Project Manager to be based in Cape Town.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) Conference of the Parties 27 (COP27), will be hosted in Africa in 2022. COP27 will be an important anchor and platform for elevating key issues that should inform decision making at a national, and international level to meet Africa’s climate obligations and consolidate and communicate Africa’s climate agenda in respect of the Paris Agreement and commitments. Mobilising around COP27 will also present opportunities to catalyse investments in key pieces of African climate movement infrastructure needed for the next decisive decade.
Against this background, the ACF seeks to recruit an COP27 Lead, to lead on the development and implementation of ACF’s COP27 Strategy and grant-making. The successful applicant will be a highly organised ‘self-starter’ who will work closely with the Executive Director and Advocacy and Outrend Outreach Manager and ACF’s key partners in the essential coordination and delivery of the ACF’s COP27 work.
Responsibilities:
Coordinate and manage ACF’s relationships, and collaborative planning around COP27
Identify, through research, analysis and engagements key issues, campaigns, partners and sites for engagement to:
Elevate the prominence of climate change, and Africa’s climate change agenda nationally and regionally ahead of COP27
Support efforts to support increased African presence and meaningful participation, evidence-based negotiation capacity and positions and a coordinated African climate response at COP27 and beyond.
Monitor political developments on the continent and internationally, and their implications for climate change diplomacy
Develop and foster relationships with African governments, regional institutions, policy makers, donors and other relevant stakeholders;
Be the point of contact with the COP27 Presidency and other key governments, including:
Regular inside contact with the COP27 Team to help calibrate strategy and leverage partnerships for impact;
Build relationships with other key regional governments important to the success of COP27, including G20/G7 presidents and Pre-COP hosts;
Identify technical and resource needs from philanthropy
Share intel and updates with the ACF and its partners and donors,
Work with the ACF programme staff to ensure seamless strategic alignment between COP27 and longer term organisational objectives;
Set up and manage the coordination of a COP27 working group of partners to ensure strategic alignment with a small, high trust group of insiders and outsiders;
Track progress for key COP27 strategic priorities, anticipate issues, identify solutions and mobilising relevant actors
Create clusters of collaboration where needed to deliver on key pieces of the strategy
These might include public mobilisation, finance and solidarity;
Organise key convenings the philanthropic community to highlight potential investments, or areas of collaboration.
Requirements:
Minimum 7 years’ experience in a relevant field (e.g. international politics, government, policy, environment, development, campaigning/advocacy), ideally with a strong knowledge of political economy, climate change politics and policy.
Demonstrable stakeholder management experience gained in Africa;
A diverse network across climate and development and other international agenda and the ability to work across policy, politics, diplomacy, public engagement, communications and the private sector;
Excellent programme management skills
English language is essential – in addition, proficiency in Arabic, Kiswahili, French, or Portuguese are highly desired.
Personal qualities:
Excellent organisational and time management skills
Ability to understand and interpret stakeholder requirements
Good sense of judgement and discretion
Excellent attention to detail
Proven track record of adjusting in a fast-paced and wide-ranging work environment
Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
The ACF strives to be an equitable organisation which reflects the diversity of the African continent. Preference will be given to African candidates.
Please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected]. For further information, visit www.africanclimatefoundation.org.
For more information about The African Climate Foundation, log on to https://www.afdb.org/en/about/mission-strategy