Senior Program Associate (Africa), Global Energy Transition Initiative

About the Organization

ClimateWorks Foundation is a global organization committed to our mission: to end the climate crisis by amplifying the power of philanthropy. Since our founding in 2008, over $2 billion in grants to more than 850 organizations working to advance climate solutions around the world. We helped grow the field of climate philanthropy to where it stands today, establishing infrastructure, global networks, and momentum for continued growth. Through our Global Programs and Services, we equip philanthropy with global knowledge, networks, and solutions to drive climate progress.

• Scaling solutions: Our collaborative Global Programs — focused on solution areas including carbon dioxide removal, cooling, industry, transportation, and more — produce results that are bending the greenhouse gas emissions curve. From the U.S. to Europe, China, Brazil, and beyond, we collaborate with a diverse community of funders, NGOs, and climate leaders to accelerate climate solutions.

• Guiding and supporting funders: Our Global Services provide funders with comprehensive resources to assess, build, evolve, and execute high-impact climate-giving strategies. Our Global Intelligence service equips funders and the climate community with climate insights to pinpoint opportunities for impact and philanthropic insights to help identify investment priorities. We facilitate Global Collaborations that enable funders to increase individual and collective impact. Our Global Grantmaking services enable funders to invest in climate solutions around the world. 

• Fostering collaboration, exploration, and growth: Our collaborative approach and commitment to learning ensures that we continuously explore innovative ideas and emerging opportunities — all with the aim of scaling philanthropy-supported initiatives to help end the climate crisis.

Experienced in climate science, public policy, economic and social analysis, and strategic philanthropy, ClimateWorks’ staff understands the multi-faceted challenges and opportunities of climate change. We are researchers, strategists, collaborators, and grantmakers who care passionately about our mission. For more information, please visit www.climateworks.org. 

Program Department Summary

The ClimateWorks Programs Team drives innovation and climate solutions that scale. Through our portfolio of global and transnational climate mitigation strategies and grantmaking, we help funders maximize their philanthropic impact. ClimateWorks supports climate change mitigation efforts from early explorations to scaled initiatives. We help develop innovative and high-impact solutions, fund their implementation, and scale up those that show the greatest promise.

The ClimateWorks Programs Team is nearly 60 strong and growing. It includes 12 senior experts (Program Directors and Strategists), each of whom engages partners in many countries to advance climate solutions globally. Senior Programs staff are sought after international experts, authors, speakers, and network-builders. Information on ClimateWorks’ Global Programs can be found here: https://www.climateworks.org/programs/

Program Summary

The Global Energy Transition Initiative is a customized partnership between Bloomberg Philanthropies and ClimateWorks Foundation, with a single mission: to deliver high-impact and immediate actions to drive a country-level transition from coal to clean energy that is in line with the global 1.5 °C pathway.

Since the inception of this partnership in late 2017, Bloomberg Philanthropies and ClimateWorks Foundation have supported a broad spectrum of global and in-country partners to overcome economic, political, technical, and social challenges to shift away from coal to clean energy. Since 2022, the Global Energy Transition Initiative has covered more emerging and developing countries in Asia, Africa, and South America and has expanded its strategies from increasing climate ambition to implementing the clean energy transition.

With key partners from these countries/regions, the priorities of the Global Energy Transition Initiative are to:

• Shape and implement robust country-specific coal phase-out and clean energy transition pathways in line with the global 1.5° C scenario.
• Leverage international and regional initiatives to scale-up clean energy investments and end new coal pipelines.
• Support the advancement of open-source data, policy research, and analytics to inform and empower the energy community and strengthen countries’ and non-state actors’ net-zero accountability.

Job Summary

We are looking for a Senior Program Associate to join the Global Energy Transition Initiative and support the growing work of the team in Africa.

Essential Tasks 

• Support the Global Energy Transition Initiative to strengthen the partnership with funders and grantees.
• Conduct research on global/regional and in-country energy transitions, informing the development and refinement of Initiative implementation strategy.
• Help develop a pipeline of grants and contracts to support Initiative objectives; Develop grant assessment, communication materials, and other content as necessary.
• Support Initiative Director on collaboration and consultation with aligned funders who are active in the clean energy transitions in select countries.
• Develop internal and external communication materials, and other content as necessary.
• Producing regular and/or ad-hoc briefing memos for funders on political, economic, industrial and technology developments and trends that are pertinent to energy transition in the region.
• Support the convening workshops, conferences, publications and stakeholder meetings; Assist in the planning and execution of events with funders and partners, either virtual or in person.
• Assist in scheduling meetings as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Minimal 5 years of professional experiences in climate mitigation and energy transitions in emerging markets and developing economies in Africa.
• Business consulting and/or policy advisory firm background is a plus.
• Savvy about the dynamics between political, government policy-making, business and financial community, and civil society in power sector decarbonization.
• Strong stakeholder and partnership development skills.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently (both virtually and in-person) with minimal supervision.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as public policy, economics, or business administration, background with electric engineering and/or power system modelling is a plus. Advanced degree in a related field is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently (both virtually and in-person) with minimal supervision
• A commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment

Compensation

ClimateWorks believes in paying people competitively and in line with local labor markets. For example the salary range for this position in South Africa would be: 1,046,572 ZAR - 1,133,786 ZAR. For other locations in Africa the range would be comparable and in line with local labor markets. A competitive benefits package is offered through Velocity Global, a third party PEO.

Location

ClimateWorks Foundation is headquartered in the San Francisco Financial District. This position is classified as remote. Candidate must be based in Africa and will be expected to work on West Africa Time, regardless of location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to equal employment principles. We strive to find ways to attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to meet business objectives, and to recruit and employ highly qualified individuals representing the diverse communities in which we live. 

Our employment policies and decisions on employment and promotion are based on merit, qualifications, performance, and business needs. We make the decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees in a nondiscriminatory manner, without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, sex (including childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), pregnancy, uniform service member and veteran status, citizenship status, disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws. Support and belief in this principle is a basic responsibility of all employees. 

This policy extends to all aspects of our employment practices, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, discipline, termination, promotions, transfers, compensation, benefits, training, leaves of absence, and other terms and conditions of employment.  

Application Process

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. To be considered for this position, interested candidates must submit a resume and cover letter. This position will remain open until filled.

Employment at the ClimateWorks Foundation is at-will.