Head of International Climate Finance and Uk Pact

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

**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.

South Africa is a key strategic partner. 1) 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 in meeting its ambitious NDC commitments, doing so in a just way. 2) 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; 3) As an influential member of the Africa Group, the G77 +China, G20, BASICS, South Africa is a key player in securing real progress within the UNFCCC negotiation process.

South Africa is both climate vulnerable as an emerging economy, and a significant contributor to global greenhouse emissions. 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 over the next 5 years. Over £200 million of UK ICF has flowed into South Africa from central funds through International and Development Finance Institutions.UK Partnering for Accelerated Coal Transitions (UK PACT) is a technical assistance programme that supports ODA-eligible countries to reduce their emissions, increase their climate ambition, and accelerate just transitions to clean growth. It is jointly funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and managed by the FCDO.

This role will play a key part in driving how we allocate PACT funds in South Africa, and ensuring strategic alignment of all our bilateral climate programmes, including behind the priorities of the Just Energy Transition Partnership. She / He will influence the development of a vision for how to grow the UK-South Africa climate relationship. The Post Holder is also the central point for all International Climate Finance London programme leads, and can therefore influence wider UK climate finance in keeping with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office policy.

Cleaner Greener Planet is a priority focus sector under the Country Business Plan with UK PACT and 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 from all levels of Government, as well as the broader consultancy and programme management sector. The holder will work closely with the various ICF programme leads in London, as well as other FCDO programme leads. This role will report to the Head of Climate Change and 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.

**Roles and responsibilities**:
**Climate Change Policy, UK PACT Strategy and Stakeholder Management (40%)**
- Policy and programme lead for the UK PACT programme from design, delivery and oversight.
- Shape current and future programmes through a clear understanding of the climate change landscape in South Africa including the political economy, opportunities for advancement of low carbon transition and the country’s demands.
- Proactively develop, manage and strengthen the network of UK - South Africa climate contacts, including with the Climate and Energy. Development community and maintain gap analysis to identify opportunities for unique UK programme support with impact and for collaboration.
- Support the Head of Climate Change to develop deeper climate collaboration with South Africa Government at national, provincial and local level. Lead on technical discussions around potential programme support, including on co-design work with Government of future projects.
- Identify, analyse and flag policy, technological and commercial developments and risks that could influence the delivery of UK-South Africa climate collaboration.
- Publicly represent the High Commission and UK Government as a credible interlocutor in climate related engagements as necessary and lead on briefings, presentations and other reporting to the FCDO/BEIS team in London to inform the development of relevant PACT opportunities.
- Provide evidence-based recommendations on collaboration opportunities to senior management at the Hig