Senior Programme Officer- Drive Electric Campaign Africa at The African Climate Foundation

Purpose

Reporting to the Energy Access and Transitions Programme Manager, the Senior Programme Officer, Drive Electric Campaign - Africa, will oversee the implementation of the Campaign’s Africa strategy.

This position's central focus is overseeing all operations for DEC’s Africa strategy, including strategy alignment, grantee and funder partner coordination, ensuring effective and efficient distribution of funds to grantees, reporting, and feeding into cross-regional coordination among campaign partners. Deeper work will be undertaken in several African countries, potentially including South Africa and Kenya. The position requires operations, collaboration, and communication skills with a commitment to strong process and project management.

The Senior Programme Officer will be responsible for building a strong culture of collaboration, communication, transparency, trust, encouragement, and learning among multiple African and international partners. This position also supports the team in preparing materials, including reports and presentations for meetings with internal and external partners, including funders.

 Responsibilities include, but not limited to the following:

• Implement the Campaign’s Africa strategy, including strategy alignment, grantee and funder partner coordination, ensuring effective and efficient distribution of funds to grantees, reporting, and feeding into cross-regional coordination among campaign partners.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on political and advocacy landscape of countries prioritised under the Campaign (including South Africa and Kenya), keeping track of political developments that potentially impact the campaign’s goals and understanding the decision-making processes of the major players involved in national vehicle/transport policy.
• Manage and support various projects contributing to DEC’s strategy, budgeting, planning, reporting, and grant making in African countries prioritised under the Campaign (including South Africa, Kenya), and continent wide.
• Serve as the focal point of liaison with ClimateWorks Foundation and coordinate the implementation of the Camapign’s strategy through strong partnership with ClimateWorks, particularly the Programme Director of the Drive Electric Programme, and other relevant ClimateWorks staff.
• Cultivate meaningful, transparent, and strong working relationships with in-country partners, global platforms, and other stakeholders.
• Provide research, planning, and general coordination support to deliver on the goals of the DEC Africa strategy.
• As needed, oversee the editing and production of grant reports, communications materials, and funder reports.
• Assist with production and quality control of outgoing work products.
• As needed, provide strategic and organizational leadership and support for in-person and online meetings.

Required Qualifications

The successful applicant will have the following minimum qualifications:

• Relevant Post Graduate Degree in international development, economics, environmental law or policy, policy administration, engineering, finance or other relevant field.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience.
• Basic knowledge of enabling policies for the large-scale electrification of cars, trucks, buses, and 2/3-wheelers and the global clean energy transition.
• A practical understanding of issues and perspectives that drive public and private-sector organizations involved in EVs and the larger energy transition.
• Understanding of the African transport and energy policy and regulatory landscape
• Skilled in diplomacy and relationship building.
• Communication skills and personal capabilities to operate in a collaborative, consensus-driven environment.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently (virtually and in-person) with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize, and multi-task.
• A global outlook and the sensibility to empathize with and adjust to different cultures.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the African Climate
• Willing to travel internationally to join events or engagements.
• Must be a citizen of an African country, with experience working in Africa.

Advantageous Experience or Attributes: 

• Knowledge of climate and ZEV policies, especially including national-level regulations such as ZEV sales requirements, vehicle fuel economy, and CO2 standards.
• Hands-on experience in developing investment strategies for ZEVs.
• Experience in management of infrastructure, manufacturing and supply chain projects in the transport and energy sectors.
• Understanding and experience in working on project finance, financial models and experience in working with public and private financing institutions (MDBs. DFIs, commercial banks, equity investors, etc.)
• Experience with philanthropic strategy, investment, and management.
• Experience with philanthropically supported campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience with meeting design and facilitation techniques to maximize partner engagement and actionable outcomes.