Job Description

The incumbent should have a minimum of 3 years of experience in creating a conducive enabling environment to contribute to improved climate and energy governance with understanding of energy security and climate resilience, and utilising climate finance for increased access to just, equitable and sustainable energy and broadly sustainable development. A strong technical background related to climate change mitigation, climate adaptation, energy governance, renewable energy, energy poverty, climate finance, carbon credits, loss and damage and climate resilience building is required. The incumbent should be capable of managing existing climate change and energy projects and collaborative relationships, contributing effectively towards nurturing new relationships at the local level, nationally, regionally and internationally.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key responsibilities
• Lead on influencing legal, policy, institutional practices and decision-making processes on climate change and energy governance including Energy Efficiency policies/strategies, Renewable Energy (RE) Governance, Energy Security and Just Energy Transition, in line with national development priorities and community rights.
• Participate in Climate Change and Energy (CCE) Programme Management Unit (PMU) meetings and deliver on assignment taks by the PMU lead or management representatives.
• Monitor and assist in shaping and implementing national climate change laws, agreements, processes and policies including Nationally Determined Commitments (NDCs), NDC Investment Plan, LEDS, Article 6.4 Framework, Climate Change Response Strategy, National Climate Policy etc
• Facilitate public awareness raising initiatives and actions on climate change impacts, mitigation, adaptation and resilience building.
• Lead or contribute to systematic, participatory research informing evidence-based public policy discourse on climate finance, climate justice, just energy transition, mitigation and adaptation and other emerging climate change trends.
• Support carbon rights advocacy, innovate advocacy on climate finance initiatives including carbon markets and engagements with private project developers, banks, Gvt and communities.
• Advocate for the rights of communities and benefit sharing through Free Prior, Informwed Consent ( FPIC), Environmental safeguards and Sustainability Plans.
• Facilitate knowledge generation and capacity strengthening/awareness raising on the impacts of compliance markets, voluntary markets, loss and damage, carbon tax, climate Justice and displacements arising from climate change impacts or energy projects
• Contribute to international negotiations, expert meetings and events (UNFCCC, Paris Agreement and CBD and Convention on Desertification)
• Promote climate mitigation and adaptation including protection of farmers rights, enhancing resilience and promoting food security and livelihoods.
• Participate in team meetings and other designated meetings, events or convenings as seconded by the Supervisor or management

Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications and Experience
• Minimum 3 years of experience in climate change and energy project/programmes , interacting with funding partners that include embassies, foundations and other funding agencies.
• Relevant degree or equivalent programming experience related to environmental governance, any social sciences, humanities, or development with a minimum of a relevant first degree. A master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Good public speaking and facilitation skills, and proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of/ experience with climate and energy related related laws, agreements, policies, conventions and processes, will be a strong advantage.
• Experience with developing and conducting trainings or workshops( including online based) , webinars and/ or virtual events, will be an advantage.
• Ability to produce technical reports and publications suh as academic papers, popular articles, promotional and social media material, and to promote, enhance and expand the projects and partnerships he/ she is involved in.
• Prior experience in an organisation focused on environmental governance is an advantage.
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, is required

Competencies:
• Proven track record in producing winning bids and proposals for institutional donors, corporations, and others.
• Ability to generate climate change and energy project ideas and contribute to production of high quality proposals/concept notes.
• Adaptive: Ability to adapt to be agile, flexible and work effectively on complex issues in a fast-paced environment, working under pressure, managing competing priorities and maintaining a professional work approach even when working remotely under pressure.
• Good interpersonal skills: with an ability to work as an individual and as part of a team in a multicultural environment with excellent oral, written and presentation communication skills. Strong networker with a track record of quality stakeholder management and easily liaising
with people of various backgrounds
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail .
• Good diplomacy skills with the ability to engage with the government, legislators, other stakeholders of ZELA.
• Proven team player with the ability to productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside the organisation.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills in a range of contexts and with actors from the private sector, government and civil society, with an ability to work with both senior and junior officials/stakeholders, enthusiastically, and interested in learning within a political, changing and diverse work environment that requires constant adaptation.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with lawyers and other multi disciplinary teams in a highly dynamic, fast paced and creative environment.
• Possess problem-solving and analytical skills, be well-organised, with attention to detail and quality, and have a structured and pro-active working style.
• Local, regional and international travel: Must have a passion for, and willingness to travel locally and internationally for key meetings and convenings relevant to the organisation, focused mainly on climate change and energy
• Context knowledge: Knowledge of the African and global geo-political context.

How to Apply

To apply
Candidates are asked to clearly demonstrate in their applications how they meet the requirements of the position. Send the following information by email to [email protected] by 30 March 2025
• A cover letter explaining your interest in the position (maximum 2 pages)
• Your curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages)
• Preferred salary expectations
In the subject of the email please state: the position you are applying for.