International Climate Finance - Pretoria, South Africa - Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Verified Company

Pretoria, South Africa

1 week ago

Posted by:

Thabo Mthembu

beBee Recruiter

Description

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) 1

Main purpose of job:

Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing our world.

The UK has responded with some of the world's most ambitious legislation and domestic targets, embedding the green economy in all our industrial, research and growth strategies.

Internationally, the UK is one of the most significant contributors to international climate finance and active in pressing for global ambition in line with the 2015 Paris agreement to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees.

As part of the British Government's global response to the climate challenge and its commitment to help deliver the aims of the Paris Agreement (UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015), the UK has committed to doubling its ICF offer to £11.6 billion between 2020/2021 and 2025/2026.

South Africa is both vulnerable as an emerging economy, and a significant contributor to global greenhouse emissions.

The British High Commission is strengthening its ability locally to work with partners across government, civil society and business on climate change issues, including resilience and the just energy transition.

South Africa is a key strategic partner for the UK.

The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between South Africa and the UK, US, France, Germany and the EU (announced at COP26 in Glasgow, November 2021) is all about supporting South Africa to meet its ambitious NDC commitments, doing so in a just way.

As a developing country under UNFCCC, South Africa is dealing with the twin challenges of adapting to, and building resilience against climate impact that is already occurring and increasing.

As an influential member of the Africa Group, the G77 +China, G20, BRICS, South Africa is a key player in securing real progress within the UNFCCC negotiation process.

UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) is a £340 million capacity-building programme funded by the UK's International Climate Finance (ICF).

UK PACT supports ODA-eligible countries, including South Africa, with high mitigation potential to increase their climate ambition and implement that ambition more rapidly, more effectively, and more equitably.

Key features of UK PACT are that it aims to respond explicitly to partner government demand for capacity building interventions, and that it shares UK expertise (for example in areas such as climate legislation, green finance, and renewable energy).

South Africa is a key strategic climate partner for the UK.

The UK PACT programme has delivered £ 5.5 million in technical assistance in South Africa to date and has recently committed to funding additional UK PACT projects.

This support is in addition to the over £200 million of UK ICF that flows into South Africa from central funds through International and Development Finance Institutions.

The UK is looking to deepen its relationship with South Africa and is keen to bring to bear its skills and expertise from decades of low carbon leadership to help support the delivery of South Africa's NDC.

The Just Energy Transition Partnership is a priority under the UK's current Country Business Plan for South Africa and UK PACT and wider ICF are central to the UK's contribution.

Cleaner Greener Planet is also a priority focus sector under the Country Business Plan, with UK PACT and wider ICF being key to its delivery.

The Post Holder will be a public face of climate finance in South Africa, establishing and managing strategic stakeholders particularly with provincial and municipal governments, as well as the broader consultancy and programme management sector.

The Post Holder will work closely with the UK PACT South Africa Country Lead and the contracted Delivery Partner to oversee the successful design and delivery of technical assistance projects in South Africa.

The Post Holder will be expected to develop strong links with other colleagues working on JETP, Development, Economic Growth, Science and Innovation and Department of International Trade (DIT) teams within the High Commission and ICF programme leads in London.

This work falls under the policy and programmatic areas headed by the Head of Climate Change and Biodiversity at the British High Commission.

The job holder will report to the UK PACT South Africa Country Lead at the British High Commission.

Roles and responsibilities:

South Africa-UK PACT Projects and Skill-shares Delivery (70%)

Lead UK PACT programme delivery on specific projects (most likely at provincial and municipal levels), including demand scoping for potential projects at provincial/municipal levels.
Operational management of UK PACT skillshares. This will include supporting the UK PACT Fund Lead in London and the UK PACT Delivery Partner to identify opportunities for skillshares and support their delivery.
Provide political insight (provincial and municipal levels) and advise the High Commission Board and senior management on opportunit