View Vacancy – International Climate Finance Officer HEO – (04/25 PTA)

Main purpose of job:

Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing our world. The UK has responded with some of the world’s most ambitious legislation and domestic targets, embedding the green economy in all our industrial, research and growth strategies. Internationally, the UK is one of the most significant contributors to International Climate Finance (ICF) and active in pressing for global ambition in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement (UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015) to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.

South Africa is both climate vulnerable as an emerging economy, and a significant contributor to global greenhouse emissions.  As such, South Africa is a key strategic partner for the following reasons: 1) The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between South Africa and the UK, US, France, Germany and the EU (announced at COP26 in Glasgow, November 2021) and now including Denmark and The Netherlands, is all about supporting South Africa in meeting its ambitious NDC commitments, doing so in a just way.  2) As a developing country under UNFCCC, South Africa is dealing with the twin challenges of adapting to and building resilience against climate impact that is already occurring and increasing; 3) As an influential member of the Africa Group, the G77, G20 and BRICS.  South Africa is a key player in securing real progress within the UNFCCC negotiation process.

As part of the British Government’s global response to the climate challenge and its commitment to help deliver the aims of the Paris Agreement, the UK has committed to doubling its ICF offer to £11.6 billion between 2020/21 and 2025/26. Over £250 million of UK ICF has flowed into South Africa from central funds through International and Development Finance Institutions.

The Post Holder is the central point of contact for centrally-managed International Climate Finance programme leads in the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

Cleaner Greener Planet is a priority focus sector under the Country Business Plan with ICF being a key part of its delivery. The job holder will work closely with the various centrally-managed ICF programme teams in the UK and their in-country implementing partners.  The role will vary according to the requirements of individual programmes which will include tracking and reporting on progress of delivery on the ground, visiting project sites around the country, identifying risks and using of knowledge of the South African climate change landscape to give advice at the design and implementation stages of projects.  The job holder will also identify opportunities to showcase the programmes in South Africa, for instance, by inputting into briefings for senior staff meetings with external interlocutors and working with the Comms Team to ensure public visibility of the projects being delivered in South Africa.  This role will report to the Head of Climate Change and Biodiversity and will be expected to develop strong links with other BHC colleagues working on JETP, Development, Economic Growth, Science and Innovation and Department for Business and Trade (DBT) teams.

Roles and responsibilities:

Programmes Oversight and Stakeholder Engagement (60%)

Point of contact for International Climate Finance (DESNZ) programmes leads in the UK. Key programmes are the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA), Market Accelerator for Green Construction (MAGC) and the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP).

• Represent the High Commission at discussions between the UK and HQs of third-party implementers (IFIs/DFIs), ensuring local political assessment influences the direction of support.

• Lead on local relationships with implementing agencies, ensuring UK input into key decisions on programme progress.

• Proactively develop, manage and strengthen the network of UK-South Africa climate contacts at working level, including with the climate and energy development community. Maintain gap analysis to identify opportunities for unique UK programme support with impact and for collaboration.

• Advise on future programme opportunities and influence the design for maximum impact (both political and practical outcomes).

• Support the Head of Climate Change and Biodiversity to develop deeper climate collaboration with South Africa Government at national, provincial and local level.

• Publicly represent the High Commission and UK Government as a credible interlocutor in climate related engagements as necessary and lead on programme-related briefings, presentations and other reporting to the DESNZ  teams in the UK to inform the delivery of ICF programme opportunities.
• Shape current and future programmes through a clear understanding of the climate change landscape in South Africa including the political economy, opportunities for advancement of low carbon transition and the country’s demands.

• Identify, analyse and flag policy, technological and commercial developments and risks that could influence the delivery of UK-South Africa climate collaboration.

• Provide evidence-based recommendations on collaboration opportunities to senior management at the High Commission and in the UK, and in support of other parallel programmes being run through FCDO programmes (both bilateral and centrally managed).
• Identify synergies and collaborate across other ICF programmes including UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT).

Comms and Outreach (30%)

• Working with the Head of Climate Change and Biodiversity, Climate Policy Officer and Communications Team, lead on Comms and Outreach activities relating to ICF programmes, including attending related external events and programme site visits. Ensure maximum visibility and political recognition for the support the UK is providing.
• Organisation and delivery of BHC events which project the role of UK ICF in South Africa, including with visiting UK programme leads.

Corporate (10%)

• Contribute to the delivery of team-led BHC events, both within own area and the broader remit of the team e.g. organising high profile visits and receptions.
• Play an active part in the corporate life of the High Commission (including as a member of any High Commission Committees) to maximise the overall well-being of staff.

Resources managed:

• Oversight of £11 million ICF (DESNZ).

We are looking for a proactive self-starter, able to work well with others and have a flexible approach to work whilst under pressure and excellent interpersonal and communications skills to build strong relations within the High Commission and with a wide range of stakeholders in South Africa, with the following:

• Bachelor with Honours degree or Master’s degree preferably in Environmental Science, Climate, Public Policy, Energy, Finance or related course.
• Minimum 5 years of work experience, ideally with climate and/or energy policy insight. An additional two years of work experience will be required in the absence of a Bachelor with Honours or Master’s degree.
• Proven track record in programme management, preferably with international stakeholders.
• The ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication and relationship skills.
• Be a flexible and creative problem-solver, able to propose innovative solutions to challenges and capable of making well-thought through recommendations, consulting the team leader and others, as necessary.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to adjust to different audiences.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Team player, driven by values.