New Economy Hub (NEH) Programme Officer: Networks and Advocacy

Background

The African Climate Foundation (ACF) is the first and only African-led climate change re-granting organisation on the continent. Through its grant making and thought leadership, the ACF seeks to support interventions at the nexus of climate change and development that have the greatest potential to deliver long-term socio-economic transformation and inclusive development.

About the New Economy Hub

The New Economy Hub (NEH) is a strategic initiative of the African Climate Foundation. The NEH partners with people campaigning to decarbonise South Africa and building an inclusive low-carbon economy that delivers social security, and economic justice. The NEH offers flexible and movement-generous support to initiatives that are building movement power and advancing concrete development pathways for a clean and equitable energy future that underpins a new economy and just society in South Africa.

About the Role

We are looking for a strategic and dynamic Programme Officer-Networks and Advocacy, who will contribute to shaping the Hub’s advocacy strategy, including coordination of and participation in the advocacy networks and partnerships that support its implementation. Our Programme Officer will be the primary touchpoint between the Hub and the community of stakeholders with whom we work to conduct research, create campaigns, and communicate key messages that inform policy debates and influence the policy outcomes aligned with our mission to co-create an inclusive low-carbon economy in South Africa.

Responsibilities include but not limited to the following:

Outreach and network building (40%):

• Leads the development and implementation of a network development strategy that will support the advocacy priorities of the New Economy Hub and our partners.
• Works closely with movement organisations and community action groups to build alignments between their social and economic policy priorities and those of the Hub and our partners.
• Cultivates and maintains thick relationships with public sector, civil society and advocacy networks to advance the Hub’s advocacy priorities.
• Maintains regular communications and effective information flow between the Hub and our advocacy partners and stakeholders, including by contributing to the curation of a regular newsletter to the Hub’s stakeholders and advocacy partners.

Advocacy and influence (40%):

• Leads the development and implementation of the Hub’s social awareness and advocacy strategy in line with our overarching strategy and programme priorities.
• Engages powerbrokers and decision-makers to understand their social and economic policy priorities and influence their alignment with those of the Hub and our partners.
• Coordinates the development of engagement tools and resources such as research and policy briefs, presentations and press releases that support the advancement of the advocacy priorities of the Hub and our partners.
• Coordinates public engagement activities such as network and partner convenings, dialogues, workshops, direct actions and mobilisations that promote and amplify the advocacy priorities of the Hub and our partners.
• Co-creates integrated media and communications campaigns and resources supporting the advancement of the Hub’s advocacy priorities with the Strategic Communications Officer and our relevant partners.

Learning (20%):

• Leads development of the Hub’s Advocacy MEL framework.
• Monitors the performance of advocacy initiatives, gathers data and metrics, and prepares comprehensive reports to assess impact and effectiveness of the Hub and our partners’ collaborative advocacy initiatives. Applies insights for continual improvement and adaptation of strategy delivery.
• Reports on the results of Hub advocacy initiatives and partnerships in line with the MEL framework.

Minimum requirements:

• Degree in a relevant field of study (Social Sciences, Law, Development or Journalism and Media Studies) and 3+ years’ experience or Matric and 5+ years’ relevant experience in a network coordination, movement building and/or advocacy function in South Africa
• Demonstrable experience delivering high-impact advocacy campaigns and communications that catalyse action
• A strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial orientation
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, and pays close attention to the details
• Outstanding communications, presentation, and report-writing skills
• Adaptable, resourceful, self-motivated and able to prioritize with ease in a fast-moving environment
• Expert language proficiency in written and spoken English
• Fluency in English and at least one other official South African language
• Willingness to travel

SUCCESS FACTORS

Above all, you understand how climate positive action can be leveraged to foster inclusive and sustainable development for South Africa, and are clear about how your unique skills and disposition can add value to this agenda. You have a track record of network building and implementing high-impact advocacy and social change campaigns in South Africa. You understand that achieving a “just transition” is about people more than policy and have applied knowledge of how to deepen social participation in a complex and unpredictable governance ecosystem.

You are curious about the subjects you are handling and prepared to explore them deeply and widely to understand and communicate the topics you are handling effectively to different audience segments. You have an enviable contact book, and can access and influence diverse stakeholder communities ranging from high-level power-brokers and decision-makers all the way to movement organisations and community action groups. You track and are attuned to both international and national policy debates and developments and how these line up to influence development policy and practice in South Africa. You care deeply about democracy and social participation in shaping socio-economic policy outcomes, and have a career portfolio that positions you as a credible and reputable leader in realising these ideals.

Start date: Position available immediately

Location: South Africa. Remote working will be considered within South Africa, with a preference for candidates based in Johannesburg.

Contract Period: 12 months (renewable based on mutual agreement)

Application Closing date: 7 May 2025

Should you not hear back from us by 30 June 2025, please consider your application to be unsuccessful.

For further information about the ACF, visit www.africanclimatefoundation.org

The ACF strives to be an equitable organisation with a team which reflects the diversity of Africa.

In compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), The ACF assures all applicants that any personal information provided during the recruitment process will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and used solely for recruitment purposes. Your privacy and data security are of paramount importance to us. By applying for this position, you consent to the collection, processing, and storage of your personal information for recruitment-related activities only. The ACF is committed to safeguarding your privacy and maintaining the trust you place in us.