Job Opening: Climate Policy Coordinator

JOB DESCRIPTION Position TitleClimate Policy coordinator

(fixed-term contract post – 12 months renewable contingent on funding)Start date As soon as possible

PURPOSE The purpose of this role is to fulfill the function of climate policy content lead for a three-year climate champions project funded by the EU. This project has been designed in order to support rural communities to enter into public and policy debates at various levels on relevant climate change issues. As climate responses must be inevitably local, lessons shared by rural communities, particularly women and youth who are often invisible, will enable policy makers to design more responsive and appropriate policies. This will be done by tracking climate policy and developments; developing popular education materials with this information; supporting communities with research outputs and briefs and acting as the content lead for all workshops during the project; and finally supporting active policy campaigning by rural communities.

The role will be 100% within the EU project and is line managed by SAFCEI. The incumbent will work closely with the other project partners to ensure effective delivery- EU project lead, SCAT, and project partner organization, HBS.

The role will be based in Cape Town, Western Cape however the appointed person will work with rural communities  in the following four South African provinces:

• Western Cape
• Eastern Cape
• Northern Cape
• Free State

OBJECTIVES OF THE ROLE

• To research climate change policy on international, national and in particular provincial and local government levels to create climate literacy materials (popular education) for rural South African community based organisations.
• To track decision-making and provide analysis of climate policy processes at national, provincial and local levels.
• To grow an understanding of climate change among rural community and faith-based organisations and members of civil society through leading on training and workshop content for national workshops (learning festivals) and provincial workshops (regional workshops).
• To support and coordinate an effective climate justice campaigning by rural community based organisations to engage in climate legislature through targeted campaigns and partnership spaces.
• To actively support climate justice activism and to help build climate resilience in communities and
• To advocate for the implementation of an ethical, and socio-economic and ecologically just transition and sustainable future.

Essential work experience

• In-depth understanding of climate policy issues.
• Strategic experience running local campaigns.
• A relevant university degree or qualification.
• Policy and research experience on climate issues.
• Presenting digested and accessible complex policy information- data and reports to affected communities.
• Project coordination and report writing.
• Community engagement through relationship building.
• Working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in more than one South African language.

Personal attributes

• Committed and hardworking, with attention to detail.
• Excellent writing and organising skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Problem solver and strategic thinker.
• Be a representative of SAFCEI and the values that we represent.
• Committed to climate justice and supporting communities.

JOB CONTENT Key Performance Areas****Activities / Objectives / TasksResearch Research and compile climate literacy information in order to create accurate, accessible and relevant climate policy information outputs for rural communities through-out the project.Produce research briefings on policy developments at local, national and international levels.Policy Attend parliament meetings and local government policy discussions (legislation) on climate change to track policy progress, including the relevant portfolio committees, and create briefs for communities from these meetings.Attending conferences and meetings related to legislative developments and create briefs for communities from these meetings.CampaignsDeveloping campaign plans with community leads that are consistent rural community needs and climate justice campaign strategy and objectives and making sure that these are clear and accessible.

Actively engage in external meetings and online fora on SAFCEI’s behalf to build collaborative approaches with others with similar campaign objectives.Help in planning campaign plans, identifying activities and responsibilities and delivery for each community group.

• Conduct campaign meetings on climate justice as required.

Communications and ResourcesDevelop easy to read and digested resources for communities:

- on climate legislative issues

- popular education materials

- workshop training contents (learning festivals and regional workshops)

- campaigning materials including posters and other appeals to mobilise.Support community leaders to develop their voices to speak out on the campaign objectives.Networking

• Coordinate among other EU project partners including the project lead SCAT and HBS, as well as other actors and work inclusively on shared concerns.

Build new community & faith networks in affected communities to expand the campaign.Identifying new partners and collaboration potential for the project as a whole.Project CoordinationRegular project report writing and a monitoring and evaluation plan for project implementation.Keep detailed project records, metrics, data and documentation for all events. Monitor the project deliverables and report as required, and undertake such administrative tasks as may be required for the effective functioning of the project.

Representing SAFCEI

• Understand SAFCEI’s history, campaigns, and theory of change.

Responding to partner requests for information and collaboration in trainings, presentations and other event.

To apply, email portia@safcei.org.za with a letter of motivation, detailing your experience and expertise, including your CV, and the names and contact details (email addresses and telephone numbers) of three references.

A skills test will be administered as part of the selection process.

All applicants must have a valid SA work visa and be staying in the country. This job requires you to be based in Cape Town.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. SAFCEI is committed to the pursuit of diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets and building the best possible team.