NEV Workstream Integration Specialist

NEV Workstream Integration Specialist

About UKPACT

The UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) programme aims to strengthen the effectiveness of key institutions public, private, and civil society in partner countries to accelerate emission reductions and raise the ambition of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Through its focus on NDCs, UK PACT supports global efforts to review commitments and enhance climate ambition.

Background

South Africa's Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (JET-IP) sets the national roadmap for reducing emissions while driving inclusive economic growth, job creation, and energy security. A key pillar of this transition is the New Energy Vehicles (NEV) Portfolio, which aims to position South Africa as a competitive player in the global electric mobility market. The NEV programme is delivered through five interdependent workstreams—Auto, Mobility, Public Transport, Battery Value Chain, and Infrastructure—supported by leading institutions such as DTIC, IDC, DBSA, and Eskom.

The NEV Programme Management Office (PMO) provides strategic oversight and coordination across these streams, ensuring alignment with complementary policies like the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) and evolving industrial strategies for localisation, manufacturing competitiveness, and battery value chains.

As part of UK PACT's support to South Africa's energy transition, the Workstream Integration Specialist will be embedded within the PMO and will work directly with workstream leads and institutional chairs (DTIC, IDC, DBSA, Eskom) as well as the JET PMU in the Presidency. Key functions will include developing detailed workstream action plans; establishing clearly defined milestones, project schedules and interdependency maps; supporting alignment between industrial, energy system and mobility policy requirements; and producing analytical outputs such as research notes, technical briefing papers and evidence inputs to inform planning, workshops and decision-making. This is a fixed term role for a period of 12-months.

Location:19 Fredman Drive, Sandown, Sandton. Hybrid working model – 3 days in office, with Monday & Wednesdays remote.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supporting workstream chairs and the JET PMO Technical Coordinator in developing and tracking implementation action plans.
• Conducting background research, rapid assessments, and technical briefs on NEV and related policy issues.
  
  Facilitating communication, follow-up, and issue resolution between the PMO and workstream teams.
• Supporting the PMO's quarterly and annual reporting to the JET PMU.
  
  Providing secretariat support to ensure well-documented meetings and actionable follow-ups.

Impact:

Your work will enable coherent delivery of South Africa's NEV roadmap, ensuring policy commitments translate into bankable, investible projects that advance a just and inclusive energy transition.

Requirements
- Bachelor's degree (Honours or equivalent) in engineering, economics, public policy, business management, or a related field.
- Track record of professional experience in programme coordination, project delivery, or policy implementation - ideally in complex, multi-stakeholder settings.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with either SA Government departments, development finance institutions, or private sector stakeholders.

Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to synthesise technical and policy information into clear, actionable insights.
- Proven experience in monitoring, planning, and delivering multi-sector programmes within tight timelines.
- Familiarity with the energy transition, the auto sector, electric vehicles (EV), and battery value chain sectors in South Africa.
- Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate valid authorisation to work in South Africa for the full duration of the role.

Preferred

• Experience working in or with public institutions (e.g., DTIC, NT, IDC, DBSA, Eskom, DFFE, or Presidency).
• Understanding of policy development, regulatory frameworks, or development finance.
• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly organised, self-driven, and comfortable operating within evolving institutional structures.

Employment type: Longterm Expert

Compensation type: Output basis

Safeguarding

Palladium is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults, and expects all staff and partners to share this commitment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their CVs via the portal as early as possible.