About this role
12 Month Full time, Fixed-term Contract role
South Africa - Office in Rosebank, Johannesburg
Background The African Climate Foundation (ACF) is the first and only African-led climate change re-granting organisation on the continent. Through a combination of grant making, fellowships, transformational research, technical assistance, coalition building and advocacy the ACF seeks to support interventions at the nexus of climate change, and development that have the greatest potential to deliver long-term socio-economic transformation and inclusive development.
The Just Energy Transition Project Management Office (JET PMU)
The JET PMU operates as a high-impact delivery unit, driving the Just Energy Transition (JET) through strategic coordination, agile execution, and results-driven implementation. Focused on accelerating project pipelines, mobilising resources, problem solving and fostering collaboration, the PMU bridges policy and action.
About the ACT Programme
The Accelerating Coal Transition (ACT) Programme is a flagship of the JET Investment Plan (2023–2027) and of South Africa's international partnerships supporting the Just Energy Transition. It is a multi-phase, multi-programme initiative valued at USD 2.9 billion, designed to responsibly manage the retirement of five coal-fired power stations in Mpumalanga — Camden, Grootvlei, Hendrina, Arnot, and Kriel — by 2030, in line with government's Integrated Resource Plan 2025.
The programme invests in renewable energy repowering projects at each site, the repurposing of facilities, and the development of economic opportunities and energy services in the at-risk communities of the municipalities where the power stations are located.
The JET PMU in the Presidency is responsible for managing the ACT Desk.
About the role
As part of the MOU signed between the African Climate Foundation (ACF) and the Just Energy Transition Projects Management Unit (JET PMU); the ACF agreed to provide resources to the JET PMU to enable the JET PMU to fulfil its mandate pursuant to the JET PMU’s terms of reference. This includes the secondment of technical experts across all relevant disciplines to support the agenda of the JET PMU.
A programme of this scale and complexity — five power stations, multiple implementing agencies, national departments, development finance institutions, funders, and community structures — is only as strong as the governance holding it together. The JET PMU needs a meticulous, independent-minded governance professional who can build that architecture from the ground up: mandates, ethics standards, committee calendars, digital systems, and record-keeping that will stand up to funder and public scrutiny.
This is a role with real operational breadth — drafting a Conflict-of-Interest Policy in the morning, briefing a committee Chairperson ahead of an afternoon meeting, and troubleshooting the online governance portal before the next reporting cycle. It suits someone who takes as much pride in a well-run committee pack as in the policy that sits behind it, and who is comfortable holding implementing agencies and governance members accountable to their mandates.
This role will be seconded to the JET PMU and will work under the direction of the JET PMU Programme Manager: ACT Desk and line-manages the Analyst: ACT Reporting, ensuring that reporting systems and standards across the programme meet both funder requirements and governance mandates.
Key Deliverables:
Governance Structure & Mandate Development
• Engage relevant stakeholders on the establishment of the ACT governance structures.
• Ensure alignment between the governance systems and the requirements of the multiple implementing agencies, the funders, and the governance requirements of ACT programme management.
• Prepare the Mandate for the ACT Programme Governance Committee and the MJET Governance Committee.
• Prepare Terms of Reference for any governance sub-committees that may be required.
• Develop a Code of Ethics for the ACT Programme, and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy and declarations procedure for the ACT governance committees.
• Establish the ACT Governance Annual Calendar.
Committee Administration & Digital Systems
• Investigate and operationalise a suitable online governance portal for the upload of committee documents, member reviews, remote decision-making, online meetings, and record-keeping.
• Prepare all committee agendas, packs, minutes, and matters arising, working with the relevant programme managers and the Analyst: ACT Reporting.
• Arrange preparatory briefings for Chairpersons ahead of each committee meeting.
Stakeholder Engagement, Reporting & Capacity Building
• Establish and maintain an ACT stakeholder database.
• Assist the ACT Programme Manager and the Programme Manager: MJET in preparing and conducting stakeholder engagements across government, funders, community structures, civil society organisations, companies, and business associations, as required.
• Manage the Analyst: ACT Reporting to ensure reporting systems and standards are consistent with funder requirements and ACT governance mandates.
• Train members of the governance structures on their mandates, governance duties, and use of the online portal.
• Commission the production of annual ACT Progress Reports for publication on the JET PMU website.
Who we are looking for
This role suits an experienced governance and management professional who combines meticulous administration with confident stakeholder engagement. Here is what we are looking for:
Governance and committee management expertise
Skills and competencies in managing governance committees, producing committee documentation, record-keeping, and setting reporting standards.
Exceptional quality control
Attention to detail, accuracy, and scheduling, across a demanding committee calendar with multiple, sometimes competing, deadlines.
Confident stakeholder engagement
Established networks with stakeholders involved in ACT-related activities, with the ability to navigate competing interests, facilitate constructive engagements, and mitigate risks.
A practical problem-solver
The ability to assess bottlenecks to critical-path delivery and find solutions in a collaborative manner.
Digital systems capability
Skills in establishing digital systems that support efficient committee administration, accurate documentation, and record-keeping.
Socio-economic development and climate change familiarity
Competencies in managing sustainable development projects and programmes, working equally competently with funders, civil society, government, and business associations.
Experience
5 to 8 years of professional management and governance experience in socio-economic development organisations, independently managing the efficient functioning of high-level committees, and steering complex programmes involving participation by multiple stakeholders.
Qualifications
Master’s degree in Development studies, Business Administration, or a related field.
Start date: Position available immediately
Location: South Africa - Office in Rosebank, Johannesburg
Contract duration: 12 months
Closing date: 11 October 2026
Application Details:
• Applicants must have the legal right to work in the country.
For further information about the ACF, visit www.africanclimatefoundation.org
Should you not hear back from us by 30 November 2026, please consider your application to be unsuccessful.
The ACF strives to be an equitable organisation with a team which reflects the diversity of Africa.
In compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), The ACF assures all applicants that any personal information provided during the recruitment process will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and used solely for recruitment purposes. Your privacy and data security are of paramount importance to us. By applying for this position, you consent to the collection, processing, and storage of your personal information for recruitment-related activities only. The ACF is committed to safeguarding your privacy and maintaining the trust you place in us.