ABOUT ETF

The Energy Transition Fund is a funder collaborative that was established in 2019 to support regional and global strategies to create the conditions for a just and equitable phase-out of oil and gas, in line with the Paris Agreement climate limits. 

Please note that ETF does not have an active web presence as a public profile is not necessary for the organisation’s important work.  ETF is an established, impactful, and growing organisation.   Candidates will have the opportunity to learn more about the organisation and its culture and impact through the interview process.  

POSITION SUMMARY

The Africa Programme Officer is responsible for helping grow ETF’s capacity to co-design and implement impactful strategies that will seed work to help accelerate the energy transition from oil and gas to clean energy across the region. They report to the Africa & Corporate Senior Programme Officer and will support the development of successful grantmaking portfolios and management of productive and respectful relationships with grantees and other partners across the region.

AREAS OF OVERSIGHT

• Supports the delivery of an ambitious regional strategy (alongside the Africa & Corporate Senior Programme Officer) that drives ETF’s wider organisational objectives and is aligned with those of our civil society and philanthropic partners.
• Scaling regional capacity to secure an energy transition.
• Building relationships with new partners and existing grantees.
• Scanning for new funding opportunities and strategic threats.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The key responsibilities outlined below are interpreted as being descriptive in nature and are not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

Issue Expertise

• Has a good level of public campaign expertise and strong grasp of how this work can drive positive, systemic change.
• Maintains a deep understanding of important oil and gas, energy transition and civil society issues in Africa and provides subject matter expertise.
• Maintains a system to actively scan regions for opportunities and threats.
• Proactively scopes new opportunities to build up and expand fundable strategies in key areas.
• Engages with civil society and funding partners to co-design new strategies on oil and gas and energy transition and sets clear objectives for those strategies and benchmark progress against agreed organisational objectives.
• Ability to proactively build and maintain extensive external networks with experts and civil society organisations to ensure strategies and grantmaking are informed by emerging and up-to-date research and insights.
• Ability to provide region specific guidance and direction for the annual global grantmaking strategy.
• Ability to build meaningful and respectful relationships with diverse partners, including across cultures, and approach relationships with a highly collaborative mindset.

Innovation & Strategy

• Maintains awareness of the political and social structures that enable or disable a just transition and creates strategies and campaigns to mobilise the public and support civil society’s ability to effectively enable change.
• Maintains a responsive, creative and innovative approach to public campaigns and identifies opportunities to tap into broader societal moments and narratives.

Grant Making 

• Develops and manages a grantmaking portfolio on energy transition in key countries that drives forward ETF’s established strategies.
• Participates in the development of grant making strategies and creates systems for identification of new grantees.
• Oversees grantee relationships within areas of oversight and ensures grant reporting is timely and accurate.
• Undertakes screening of potential grantees and selects grantees to fund.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with grantees.
• Liaises with operations staff to ensure administrative burdens on grantees is reduced.
• Tracks timelines for grant reporting, reviews reports, ensures accuracy, and tracks outcomes.
• Identifies areas of risk and barriers to success for grantees and provides mitigation strategies and supports as appropriate.
• Builds trusting and respectful relationships with grantees and steward them through the grantmaking and reporting process. 

Fundraising and Funder Support 

• Builds relationships with regional funders and supports senior management in organisational fundraising as required.
• Produces reports on work of existing grantees for funders
• Builds and maintains networks in the Civil Society / NGO sector
• Attends key foundation gatherings related to areas of oversight
• Writes or participates in the writing of proposals and reports for foundations 

Team Collaboration

• Provides support to other members of ETF as needed
• Develops, completes or manages ad hoc projects as directed
• Work with colleagues to put into action ETF’s organisational and strategic plans
• Participates in operational planning
• Collaborates with colleagues to help ensure the best outcomes for ETF and our partners

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Fluency in English and French is essential.
• Must reside in Africa.
• Experience working in francophone African countries strongly preferred
• At least 3-5 years’ work experience on energy and climate issues, such as civil society campaigning, communications, policy and advocacy.
• University degree or equivalent experience in relevant areas related to climate and energy policy, campaigning, communications, and/or climate.
• Demonstrable  experience in designing and implementing successful strategies to drive systemic change across the energy and climate space.
• Familiarity with national, regional and cross-cultural movements currently advocating for a transition from oil and gas to clean energy across Africa.
• A demonstrated ability to build strong, trusting relationships with partners and colleagues, effectively coordinate and strengthen collective efforts, and to steer and facilitate complicated conversations.
• Displays an inquisitiveness to critically test strategic thinking and is comfortable experimenting and testing new approaches to our work.
• Strong work ethic and experience working proactively and collaboratively with a team, while also being comfortable working independently.
• Ability to learn quickly, juggle multiple tasks, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines.
• Strong communications skills and ability to distil complex information into concise and compelling presentations or written documents for a variety of audiences.
• Agile and able to adapt and thrive within a growing and changing organisation.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

ETF values diversity, equity and inclusivity as central to our work and believes we are strengthened by the diversity of our staff and partners.  We welcome applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds and abilities. Reasonable accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Accommodation requests can be made by contacting carolyn@etglobalfund.org

WORK ENVIRONMENT

ETF operates globally. Most team members choose to work from their home, but there are some reimbursements for local office rentals if that is preferred.   Work hours are flexible but staff will at times be expected to attend meetings that are outside of normal daytime hours.  Some international and regional travel will be required.  A computer and other office equipment will be provided.  

The ETF team is a diverse and growing team, located across the globe, and works remotely or co-locates with partners and colleagues as appropriate. A highly passionate and human team, it prides itself on professionalism, compassion and inclusiveness.

HOW TO APPLY

Resume and cover letter can be submitted by email to: Carolyn Doornekamp, Operations Director, carolyn@etglobalfund.org by Wednesday June 14.

ETF thanks all applicants for their interest in the position. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.