Based in Johannesburg, Pretoria or Cape Town
Summary:
Conservation South Africa (CSA), as a local affiliate of Conservation International, is committed to helping societies adopt a more sustainable approach to development one that considers and values nature at every turn and improves human well-being through the conservation of healthy ecosystems and the goods and services they provide. Conservation South Africa seeks to influence policy, develop markets, engage the private sector, and support communities to build
resilience to climate change through Nature Based Solutions, whilst developing and implementing conservation- based economic growth models for long-term human well-being.
CSA focuses on building climate resilience both through influencing policy from the local, provincial and national levels through to international policy and private sector strategy, as well as supporting Ecosystem based Adaptation and mitigation, approaches on the ground, within the communities where we work. This position provides for dedicated support to CSA climate change programme in both the enabling/policy arena and in the on the ground support to carry out effective Nature based solutions within our landscapes across South Africa.
Conservation South Africa is seeking a Regional Climate Policy Development Specialist, who will provide technical expertise to the planning, development, and implementation of Nature
Based climate solutions and related policy initiatives at the regional and national levels with strong connection to the landscapes where CSA and CI works. The role will be based in South
Africa but also provide support to the broader in the Africa Field Division. This role includes the communication of key policy messages and lessons from the development and implementation of Nature Based Solutions to climate change, including Ecosystem Based Adaptation and Mitigation outcomes that support nature and people.
The Main Responsibilities of the position include:
Policy messaging and communications
Together with local, regional and global climate teams develop key policy messages for the role of rangelands in Natural Climate Solutions at a strategic level
Lead the development of communications materials required to support policy work, including policy briefs, podcasts talking points, policy positions and inputs, policy dialogues, presentations, etc
Design and drive policy dialogues with policy makers and community stakeholders in South Africa, and other African countries (Madagascar and Liberia) in support for development of goals for the CBD and UNFCCC.
Policy development
Work with national and provincial policy makers in South Africa to ensure natural climate solutions (EbA and EbM) are recognized in relevant policies and strategies
Develop a policy-focused strategy for scaling up NCS through rangeland management in southern Africa
Development of policy related indicators and supporting the monitoring of impact through the MERL framework
Public Relations and Partnership development:
Work with national and provincial decision makers in South Africa to identify national climate priorities and unlock funding for implementation
Support lesson sharing and engagement through the Gaborone Declaration for
Sustainability in Africa (GDSA)1 and Conservation International Africa field divisionn platform.
Strategic coordination and convening support to Conservation South Africa Country Director Climate Finance
Develop funding proposals for climate related policy work in South Africa
Make technical inputs into climate finance activities in the region with a focus on southern Africa
In the role, the Policy Specialist will work closely with the CSA landscape and technical teams and CI climate and policy related regional teams as appropriate to ensure Nature Based solutions
as an integral element to CI demonstrations and policy engagement and sharing the messages from this work in clear and succinct ways.
Requirements for application:
Masters in Environmental Management or some relevant science discipline including social science. A minimum of 6 years professional experience in a related field would be considered equivalent of the Masters Degree.
At least 5 years’ experience in project management, and must include at least 3 years in managing climate related projects (adaptation and / mitigation)
At least 3 years experience in engagement with government decision-makers and /policy development at any level within SA or abroad 1 http://www.gaboronedeclaration.com/
Experience in facilitation of stakeholder workshops with a variety of stakeholders (including Indigenous People and Local communities)
Experience in development of dynamic communications materials, eg. Fact sheets, articles etc
Experience with managing budgets and financial management skills, preferably in climate finance
Experience in fundraising or proposal development and particularly for international climate finance (Green Climate Fund etc)
Experience in tracking, measuring and reporting policy impact
Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and equity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Preferable knowledge or skills:
A good understanding of South Africa’s policy environment
A good understanding of adaptation and mitigation and knowledge on Natural Climate Solutions
Comfortable with a variety of stakeholders, including Indigenous People and Local communities
Good writing skills including report writing, articles, fact sheets etc
Preferable to able to communicate in Afrikaans and / Xhosa
Preferable to have some experience with research, especially climate change related
This position will be on a 12 month contract for a minimum of 3 years, to be based in the Johannesburg office preferably but working from Pretoria or Cape Town is also feasible.
The applicant must have the flexibility to travel to landscapes and internationally as required for the position.
Please submit your abbreviated CV (no longer than 3 pages) with contact details of 3 referees and a cover letter motivating why you should be selected by 5 November 2021 to: csajobs@
conservation.org. using the reference CSA-CCPS-JHB Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Candidates who have received no response within 14 days of the closing should kindly assume that their application was unsuccessful. CSA reserves the right not to fill this position.