Centre for Environmental Rights – Advancing Environmental Rights in South Africa

Location

The ideal candidate is based in Gauteng, but other locations will be considered as long as the candidate is also willing to travel, subject to COVID constraints

Qualifications, skills and experience

• An appropriate tertiary qualification
• Sound knowledge and understanding of energy and climate policy, the minerals and energy sector and the climate and environmental justice sector – background in the NGO sector is not a requirement
• Strong leadership qualities and an independent self-starter, but with strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork
• At least 5 years’ experience of advocacy campaigns and/or project coordination
• Strong organising, networking and leadership skills
• Good public speaking, writing and dynamic communication skills
• Excellent computer and digital skills
• Time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines
• A sensitivity to social issues and the needs of communities impacted by environmental degradation and injustice
• A commitment to diversity, inclusion and transformation

Key responsibilities

1. Strategic communications and advocacy: Coordinating and leading LAC’s strategic advocacy and communication towards realising the campaign’s strategic objectives, and monitoring the landscape and recommend opportunities for promoting campaign objectives. Overseeing the work of the campaign communications lead to promote campaign objectives, and to amplify the work of campaign partners. Where appropriate, acting as spokesperson for LAC, or allocate spokesperson opportunities between LAC partners in consultation with the partners.
2. Stakeholder management and networking: Leading LAC’s stakeholder management strategy, including stakeholders in government and the private sector that the campaign has not engaged with extensively in the past. Engaging with the broader support network of LAC, and all LAC partners, and connecting LAC initiatives with other initiatives and developments in these networks.
3. Project coordination and implementation: Working closely with the campaign partners to coordinate and implement key campaign decisions, with a particular focus on promoting LAC’s vision of the just transition. Tracking all campaign initiatives and events led by the three campaign partners, and facilitating regular and effective communication between campaign partners.

Salary

The consultancy will be for 12 months, with the possibility of extending the consultancy beyond that period. The total consultancy fee for the first 12 months is R540 000.

Working for the CER

The Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle campaign is a well-established joint campaign by Earthlife Africa, groundWork, and the Centre for Environmental Rights. We aim to discourage the development of new coal-fired power stations and mines; reduce emissions from existing coal infrastructure and encourage a coal phase-out; and enable a just transition to sustainable energy systems for the people.

The campaign seeks to appoint a coordinator on a consultancy basis, starting as soon as possible. The position is for a dynamic and highly organised individual who has a passion for climate justice and a just transition, and a good understanding of energy policy, project coordination and strategic campaigning.

The coordinator will report to and take direction from the campaign steering committee on a regular basis.

The Life After Coal campaign is committed to diversity, inclusion and transformation and strives to reflect South Africa’s racial, cultural, sex and gender diversity within its campaign staff. Candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups are strongly encouraged to apply for this post, and will be preferred.