Senior Programme Officer - Transport (Africa)

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. ACF also provides Fiscal Hosting (also called Fiscal Sponsorship) services to support emerging and mission aligned organisations and initiatives.

About the Transport Programme

The ACF Transport Programme supports an African-led transition to clean, safe, affordable and accessible transport. It works on the policy, finance and public support needed to move people and goods more sustainably, and treats electric mobility as one part of a wider shift that also covers public and popular transport such as buses and minibus taxis. Working with governments, financial institutions, civil society, research partners and the private sector, the programme combines grant-making, technical assistance, research, convening and advocacy. It also collaborates with partners and global initiatives, so that African priorities shape how transport systems are planned and financed.

Purpose

Reporting to Transport Programme Manager, the Senior Programme Officer will play a pivotal role in implementing the Transport Programme’s Africa strategy, supporting the Programme Manager to deliver a continent-wide mobility transition. The role is suited for someone with a deep understanding of Africa’s transport and energy landscape, strong project management skills, and a passion for accelerating climate and industrial transformation.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

Strategy and Implementation

• Support the Programme Manager in the implementation of the Transport Strategy across focus countries and expansion geographies.
• Identify and oversee sector-relevant research and analysis to inform programmatic work and ensure evidence-based decision-making.
• Collaborate closely with other ACF programme staff to ensure synergies, integration, and cross-programme learning.
• Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager to ensure effective monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of programme delivery and outcomes.
• Ensure alignment of in-country activities and objectives.
• Contribute to the design and refinement of national and regional EV roadmaps, policy frameworks, and implementation plans.

Partnerships

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships and networks with key stakeholders, including national and sub-national governments, financial institutions, civil society organizations, think tanks, research institutions, and the philanthropic community.
• Act as a key point of contact and representative of the Transport Programme, strengthening stakeholder collaboration to enhance programme impact.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, civil society partners, multilateral institutions, and technical collaborators.
• Represent ACF in strategic meetings, workshops, and regional convenings.
• Monitor and advise on key developments in EV and sustainable transport policy, investment, and regulation in priority countries.

Grant-Making

• Under the guidance of the Programme Manager, update, maintain and implement the programme’s grant-making portfolio.
• Collaborate with ACF’s grant-making team to manage the grant cycle, including soliciting, reviewing, and recommending grants to the ACF Grants Committee and Board, and supporting grant contracting and monitoring.
• Monitor grantee progress, ensuring timely delivery against grant agreements and providing technical and management support where needed.
• Under the guidance of the Programme Manager, work closely with the MEL Manager to ensure grants are being monitored, information captured, and learnings are being used to inform programming.
• Assist in reviewing grant proposals, developing work plans and KPIs, and supporting grantees to deliver impact.

Fundraising and Reporting

• Support the Programme Manager, the Head of Strategic Partnerships, and the Head of Programmes in developing and implementing fundraising strategies to address programme funding gaps.
• Support in the preparation of funding proposals and donor engagements.
• Ensure timely and high-quality reporting on programme progress to donors, the ACF Board, and other key stakeholders.

Thought Leadership

• Stay abreast of current developments to inform development and implementation of the Transport Strategy.
• Contribute to ACF’s research outputs, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and online content, ensuring high visibility of the Transport Programme
• Collaborate with the Communications Team and the Programme Manager to organize events, such as convenings, webinars, and workshops.
• Provide technical guidance and insights to the Senior Management Team, Board, and other internal and external stakeholders on strategic programme developments.

Requirements include but are not limited to:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, environmental sciences, development studies, public policy, or a related field.
• 6-8 years of progressive experience in programme design, management, or related roles, with a focus on climate action, sustainable development, transport, clean energy, climate policy, or similar fields.
• Experience working with or supporting government institutions, donors, and financial entities on large-scale projects or policy initiatives.
• Solid understanding of electric mobility trends, regulatory frameworks, and industrial policy in Africa and some basic knowledge of enabling policies for the large-scale electrification of cars, trucks, buses, and 2/3-wheelers and the global clean energy transition
• Strong experience in managing grants.
• Familiarity with policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement within the African context.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to design and implement complex programmes.
• Sophisticated writing, reporting, and communication skills, with an ability to present technical information clearly.
• Fluency in English.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with a capacity to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• High levels of professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, remote, multicultural team environment.
• Able to travel internationally to join events or engagements when required.
• Fluency in French would be a strong advantage.

Start date: Position available immediately.

Location: South Africa. ACF’s operational hub is in Cape Town, South Africa. Remote working will be considered for candidates based on the African continent.

Contract duration: 12 months (renewable based on mutual agreement).
Closing date: 12 November 2026.

Application Details:

• Applicants must have the legal right to work in the country where they are based.

For further information about the ACF, visit www.africanclimatefoundation.org

Should you not hear back from us by 31 December 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.