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About Greenpeace Africa

Greenpeace Africa is an environmental campaigning organization with offices in South, West and Central Africa. The organization is currently looking for the next Senior Political Adviser of the South African Climate and Energy Campaign to be based in Johannesburg.

Main Purpose of Role

Reporting to:

Senior Climate and Energy Campaign Manager

• As the Senior Political Adviser to the Climate and Energy Campaign, you will develop, lead, and implement the political strategy for Greenpeace Africa’s Climate and Energy Campaign.
• You will be responsible for ensuring coherence and synergy between the Campaign’s national, regional and continental political strategies to the global political strategy, as well as ensuring coherence with the political strategies of Greenpeace Africa’s other campaign areas.
• You will build and manage essential relationships with key political allies, corporations and civil society partners, while developing policy on specific issues relating to the campaign when needed.
• You will identify opportunities where political, environmental and legal achievements in South Africa can contribute to the global Climate and Energy campaign objectives, and work with the relevant teams to implement them where possible.

Role Requirements

Issue Development:

• You will lead the development and implementation of the political, strategic, and legislative components of the Climate and Energy Campaign at a national and regional level.
• You must be able to provide analysis as well as develop scenarios and strategic political roadmaps for the campaigns in support of the global and national strategies.
• You will coordinate the development of policies on relevant issues to ensure that Greenpeace Africa can respond to new opportunities and threats, while also working to influence the development and implementation of environmental and/or energy legislation, to meet campaign objectives.

Strategy:

• Ensure coherence and synergy between Greenpeace Africa’s national, regional and continental campaigns and political strategies, as well as the global campaign’s strategy.
• Work with Greenpeace International political advisers, campaigners, and project leaders to advise on and develop policies, for support, and to provide strategic thinking assistance on the campaigns.
• Identify potential international or regional political opportunities, and ascertain which of the multilateral political bodies need to be influenced to meet organizational and campaign objectives.
• Advise relevant teams and the Senior Climate and Energy Campaign manager on intersections with Greenpeace Africa’s Oceans, Forest or Food For Life Campaigns’ work.

Representation:

• You will represent Greenpeace Africa and/or lead delegations to national/regional/international political fora, specifically on climate and energy issues.
• You will be expected to lobby key political stakeholders to implement the Climate and Energy strategy.

Networking/Relationship Building:

• You will build, maintain, and nurture extensive contacts and relationships with all relevant political bodies, institutions, corporations and NGOs to build effective networks and partnerships that promote the campaign and organization’s objectives.

Communications:

• You will need to be able and willing to take up a spokesperson role for the campaign.
• You will be expected to prepare and/or, where appropriate, commission reports, substantive briefings, updates, and talking points with the campaign and communications teams to ensure the consistent external communication of issues.

Research:

• You will maintain a general knowledge of recent and relevant environmental, legislative, and political developments in the climate and energy field, ensuring that Greenpeace Africa is able to respond effectively to new developments.
• You will research and analyze relevant topics for developing and reviewing political strategy or new policy positions for the Climate and Energy Campaign (coordinated with the global campaign).
• You will track all recent energy/climate related decisions made by the South African Parliament.

Budgeting:

• You will ensure the most strategic use of project budgets including planning and managing spending cost effectively.

Preferred Minimum Qualification

• Masters Degree in Political Science/International Relations/Social Sciences or other relevant field desired.
• Expertise in climate change/energy issues preferred, but is not a prerequisite.
• 5-7 years experience with undergraduate degree will also be considered.

Preferred Minimum Experience and Requirements

• 5 years engaging in policy development and high level political lobbying in Africa.
• Knowledge/Experience of working with various political bodies in Africa, including regional political and economic blocs in Southern Africa, the AU, and various civil society organizations and coalitions in Southern Africa with extensive political networks and contacts.
• Knowledge of the political, socio-economic, environmental, and developmental context on the continent, and especially within South Africa.
• Able to lead and coordinate delegations at external meetings.
• Excellent communication skills, including outstanding writing and speaking skills, as well as a proven ability to present data effectively in all forms of media.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Fluency in additional South African languages (particularly Xhosa or Zulu) will be an advantage.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel frequently.