Deadline for applications: 4th August 2024
Friends of the Earth Africa / International is seeking an Africa Energy Transformation Project Coordinator based in any of the following countries: Cameroon, Mozambique, South Africa orLiberia. Start date: 1st September 2024.
About Friends of the Earth International and Africa
Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) is the world’s largest grassroots environmental network with 70 member groups and over two million members and supporters around the world. We envision a society of interdependent people living in dignity, wholeness and fulfilment in which equity and human and peoples’ rights are realised, a society founded on social, economic, gender and environmental justice and be free from all forms of domination and exploitation, such as neoliberalism, corporate globalisation, neo-colonialism and militarism. Friends of the Earth Africa is the regional African grouping of FoEI.
Background on climate justice and energy in Africa
Africa has been ravaged by 500 years of colonialism, extractivism, debt and dispossession. The continent bears a huge dirty energy footprint, a development pathway often imposed by global North countries and transnational corporations, while much of Africa’s people lack access to energy and other basic rights to live a life of dignity. Coal, oil and gas extraction have devastated communities, caused human rights abuses, destroyed the local ecology, and polluted the air, water, soil and peoples’ lungs and bodies. Africa and its peoples are already facing horrific climate impacts even though they did the least to create this crisis. It is imperative to end the extraction of fossil fuels and exploitation of the continent’s rich natural resources by northern countries and transnational corporations and support African countries in an energy transformation, towards a people-based, renewable energy future.
The global coronavirus pandemic has only further exacerbated the challenge ahead and highlighted the other inter-related crises such as the loss of biodiversity, extreme inequality, rising unemployment, etc. The fight against dirty energy in Africa is essential for survival, not just of the continent, but also the world. Africa needs an energy transformation, not only to stop the climate crisis but also to provide safe, renewable, decentralised, community-owned renewable energy for all. Such a transformation will only be just and equitable if led by and for the people and communities across Africa.
Africa Energy Transformation Project Coordinator
For this position of Africa Energy Transformation Project Coordinator, we are looking for an organised, experienced and motivated person to coordinate campaigning, network building and advocacy with FoE Africa member groups to stop new oil and gas projects across Africa, promote the narrative of a clean and just energy future for Africa and facilitate the exchange of strategies and tactics among oil and gas resistance campaigns across Africa. We specifically encourage young, qualified African women to apply.
Key responsibilities include:
- Coordinate and take responsibility for the successful implementation of the 2024 FoE Africa Energy Transformation project.
- Building and strengthening the FoE Africa climate justice network, including convening and facilitating regular online meetings, developing strategies for regional campaigning, convening webinars, capacity development and working closely with the International Climate Justice and Energy program.
- Coordinate and lead the development and implementation of regional positions and strategies for energy transformation in Africa.
- Coordinate and provide strategic support for joint regional and international advocacy at fora such as UNFCCC COP, African Union, AMCEN, SADC, ECOWAS and others, against dirty energy and for an energy transformation in Africa.
- Strengthening links and increase coordination with allied, justice-based organisations and networks in Africa and beyond.
- Providing strategic support to the dirty energy campaigns being carried out by FoE Africa member groups.
- Working with the communications persons to increase visibility of African dirty energy campaigns to key audiences, being a spokesperson on CJE issues, communicating campaign demands to various external targets, action requests, internal communications to member groups to strengthen the network, etc.
- Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on progress of the project
- Possible travel.
Skills required / qualifications:
- Should have the permission to live and work in one of the following countries: Cameroon, Mozambique, South Africa or Liberia.
- Minimum five years’ experience in working with a social or environmental justice NGO or movements at Africa or international level.
- Experience in developing, implementing and managing regional campaigns.
- Experience in working with diverse groups across Africa including policymakers,
- NGOs, movements, researchers, media, etc.
- Innate sense of justice and passion for the subject, good knowledge of climate justice, just energy transition, and dirty energy issues especially oil and gas resistance.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English including strong spokesperson skills.
- Should preferably speak either French or Portuguese in addition to English.
- Commitment to FoEI and FoE Africa’s vision, mission and values.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a decentralised team.
- It is critical for the person to function in a fast-paced, online work environment across time zones including e-mail, frequent online conference calls, etc, with excellent communication ability and accountability.
- Motivation to exchange with and learn from colleagues and movements.
Additional information about the position
The position will begin approximately 80% of Full Time Equivalent.
The contract will run until 31 January 2025.
Salary will be competitive and will be commensurate with experience and based on the local cost of living depending on location.
The coordinator will be working with and accountable to the Friends of the Earth Africa region and to the FoEInternational Climate Justice and Energy program. The coordinator will be managed by the project grant manager at the FoEI International Secretariat.
Process and timeline
Send your CV (2 to 3 pages max) and a motivation letter (1 page max) to Fieke Jägers at this email address – fieke[AT]foei.org by the 4th of August 2024.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and invited to interviews
More info about our organisation is available online:
FoEI website: https://www.foei.org/
FoE Africa website: http://foeafrica.org/