Natural Justice seeks a full-time clean energy policy officer (the “policy officer”) with a technical and policy background and experience in clean energy transition advocacy and/or regulatory reform for our Just Energy Transition Africa Initiative. The successful candidate will be based either with the Natural Justice Eastern African Hub in Nairobi or the Southern African Hub in Cape Town or Johannesburg, although accommodations may be made for exceptional candidates. 

“The Policy Officer will join a team of lawyers working to advance a just transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy in key countries across Africa.”  The successful candidate will work with non-governmental organizations, various government departments, and other allied institutions to assist the legal team to advocate for the development of regulatory frameworks for – and to remove obstacles to – the accelerated deployment of clean, renewable energy.  The officer will also contribute to our advocacy plan challenging fossil energy projects with analysis of the economic benefit and technical feasibility of clean energy alternatives.

Natural Justice is a pan African non-profit organization specializing in environmental, human rights and energy law in pursuit of environmental and climate justice. Natural Justice uses the law to support communities and civil society to participate in decisions that affect their land, culture, and environment. Our programmatic focus areas include climate change, just energy transition, extractives (coal, oil, gas, and minerals), community rights, and conservation.

Responsibilities 

• Work with the Natural Justice teams to develop and implement effective strategies to advance the clean energy transition in various national contexts, and support the legal teams with national and regional energy policy and regulatory analysis to identify opportunities for positive reform.
• Collaborate and co-ordinate with Natural Justice offices in multiple countries, Earthjustice staff, other NGO partners, academic and government allies, technical experts, and community-based movements to develop and implement legal advocacy and litigation strategies to advance renewable energy deployment.  
• Identify and engage in policy, including legal and regulatory reform, on energy law and electricity market regulation, and environmental law as appropriate, with key partners and allies. 
• Provide comments and make submissions on relevant law and policy proposals, reforms, and amendments. 
• Support relevant legal cases and respond to inquiries of partners and relevant stakeholders. Provide technical advice to partners, affected communities, and other relevant stakeholders. 
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with allies, co-counsel, clients, coalition partners, and Natural Justice staff in multiple countries in support of program goals. 
• Deliver presentations and organize and conduct workshops and meetings.  
• Work effectively with other departments within Natural Justice, including Communications and Development. Assist in the development of programme strategies and manage the planning and implementation of projects, campaigns, and advocacy initiatives.  
• Identify, build, and maintain networks and/or partnerships with relevant stakeholders from government, civil society groups, the private sector and academics. 

Qualifications 

• Knowledge of and experience in clean energy issues and energy regulation and policy. 
• Bachelor’s degree in energy policy or energy transition or related field.  
• Experience working in interdisciplinary teams.  
• Proficiency in working with technical experts. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Initiative, good judgment, ability to think critically and problem solve, and a strong work ethic. 
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with clients, partners, and staff, and to develop and maintain partnerships with community-based or other grassroots groups. 
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally, post-Covid, as needed. 
• Enthusiasm for researching local policy and regulatory contexts. 
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations. 

The ideal candidate should also have experience working in several African countries, and professional fluency in English; fluency in French is desirable but not required.   

How to Apply: 

Applications should be submitted via email to nj.hr@naturaljustice.org with ‘Application- Clean Energy Policy Officer, JETA” in the subject line. 

Applications must include: 

1. A motivation letter that indicates: a) why you are interested in this position and what inspires you about the clean energy transition and environmental justice; and b) aspects of your background that demonstrate the required competence for this role; 
2. A detailed CV with three references; and 
3. Two writing samples (for example, articles or research reports) that demonstrate your own energy policy or regulatory analysis and writing. 

Please ensure that your application as a whole speaks to the required qualifications, experience, personal profile and key roles and responsibilities. Please do not apply if you do not have the required experience. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Applications: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is found.

Salary is commensurate with skill and experience.  The contract length will be two years with the intention of a longer-term arrangement. 

Natural Justice is committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities.