Senior Policy Advisor, Global Clean Power Diplomacy, South Africa

SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR, GLOBAL CLEAN POWER DIPLOMACY, SOUTH AFRICA

E3G is looking for a Senior Policy Advisor to support our work on South and Southern Africa, and our wider Africa programme. The role will focus on the
policy, politics and diplomacy of energy transitions and clean power deployment in the region. The successful candidate would be based in South Africa, or possibly Southern Africa more widely, working closely with our existing South Africa Senior Associate.

Who We Are 

E3G is the world lead strategist think tank on the political economy of climate change with a global outlook. We work on the frontier of the climate landscape tackling the barriers and advancing the solutions to a safe climate for all. We translate climate politics, economics and policies into action. We pride ourselves on bringing independence to an extremely polarized discussion and holding policy makers to account on their promises. E3G is consistently ranked as one of the top ten most influential environmental think tanks in the world by the University of Pennsylvania’s Global Go To Think Tank Index. 

 

E3G is dedicated to fostering an engaging work environment with a competitive remuneration package in the non-profit sector. E3G offers a dynamic and fast paced working environment that will value your insight and initiative wherever you are in the organisation. We take pride in our team's commitment, supportiveness, and friendliness. We invest in our staff, offer flexible working conditions and pride ourselves on being an open and collaborative workplace.

Role Overview 

Delivering a rapid, managed transition of the global power system from coal-to-clean, not via gas, is a fundamental condition to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. E3G’s Global Clean Power Diplomacy team mobilises diplomatic actors to drive real-world, real-economy progress on ending the global use of fossil fuel power and transitioning to clean energy. E3G identifies opportunities for influence and interventions, collaborates with civil society campaigns and partners, and fosters international diplomatic alliances.  

 

The post-holder will bolster E3G’s South Africa capacity by working closely with our existing associate in the country, and the wider Africa team. The role will focus on the policy, politics and diplomacy of energy transitions and clean power deployment in South Africa, and possibly Southern Africa more widely. The candidate will work on South Africa’s domestic and international energy diplomacy, including G20 engagements as well as support deepened linkages between diplomatic and civil society actors. With the right candidate we will also develop our broader Southern Africa strategy, with a view to long-term growth. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Work closely with E3G’s associate in South Africa, focusing on South African energy policy, politics and diplomacy and building strong linkages with E3G’s work on clean power diplomacy, political economy mapping and supporting the long-term development of a broader Southern Africa focus. 

• Work with E3G Programme Leads and the team to build out a strategic proposition for forward work on climate diplomacy in South and Southern Africa.  

• Help to drive South Africa’s G20 engagement strategy and foster deeper connections between diplomatic and civil society actors. 

• Support the planning, delivery and growth of a programme of work to accelerate the energy transition across three African states (South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria) and more broadly on the continent. 

• Activate diplomatic and civil society networks to raise domestic and international ambition on climate action. 

• Represent E3G externally with partners, senior policymakers, funders and in public. 

• Build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including officials and CSOs. 

 

About you 

Whether you gained experience in government, the private sector, civil society or a think tank, you will bring a developed understanding of how national and regional contexts and international dynamics inform government choices on energy and climate action. With your versatile skills and experience you will be ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to developing and delivering exciting work on South Africa and Southern Africa. 

We are looking for an intellectually curious, enthusiastic person with experience of energy and climate policy and diplomacy in South African and Southern Africa. You will be motivated by building relationships with external stakeholders, and by creating impactful outcomes through strategic collaborations. You will have the opportunity to develop the strategy and shape the work programme, in consultation with colleagues. 

 

Skills & Experience 

• Relevant experience in identifying and delivering strategic priorities for a portfolio of work, providing oversight and sound judgement as well as taking a practical role in delivery. 

• Experience working in South Africa and / or Southern Africa. Understanding of South African and broader Southern African political, economic and climate policy contexts 

• Confidence and experience in influencing decision-makers, including government, business, and civil society. 

• Ability to develop and manage close working relationships with colleagues across organisational boundaries and to leverage your network to deliver your work. 

• Stakeholder management skills, especially engaging, convening and chairing discussions with senior stakeholders from across multiple fields. 

• Project management experience is desirable. 

• Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of another regional language may be an asset.  

• Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility and a strong team player. 

 

What We Offer 

• Based in South Africa preferred, with possibility for elsewhere in Southern Africa.    

• 1 year fixed-term contract with the potential for renewal. 

• Work-life balance. Fully remote and flexible working arrangements.  

• Annual leave package of 15 legal days of annual leave, and additional discretionary paid time off of 10 days yearly, plus public holidays. 

• Some domestic and international travel expected.  

• E3G offers a reward and benefits package which compares well with other organisations within our sector. The indicative salary range in South Africa for this position is between R404,250 - R450,000, dependent on experience and qualifications of the chosen candidate. The compensation might change for other locations in Southern Africa.  

• Yearly process for remuneration review.  

 

E3G will require candidates to demonstrate that they have the right to live and work in the jurisdiction in which E3G employs them. Occasional international travel may be required from time to time.
We are unable to provide any relocation assistance to candidates who would need to move in order to take up this position. 

Your Application 

Are you ready to embark on an exhilarating journey where your ambition meets passion? Submit your application in English with a CV of maximum 2 pages and an offer letter of no more than 1 page outlining why you are applying for this role and when you would be able to start. 

The deadline for applications is 23:59 Sunday 7th September, 2025.  

 

Whilst we very much appreciate the time you will have taken with your application, unfortunately due to the level of response we receive we will not be able to reply to every candidate. Therefore, if you have not heard from us with 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion you have been unsuccessful.

 

E3G values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic background. We aim to build an inclusive workforce that is reflective of the populations we support, and actively seek applications from those who are marginalized and underrepresented. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.