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 Initiative

All African countries should have the capacities, resources, and tools to shape their own energy transitions. African Energy Futures (AEF) – housed within the African Climate Foundation – will fund African institutions to build energy systems knowledge and tools that meet African needs; train the rising generation of African energy system analysts; strengthen local energy policy and decision-making; and ensure Africa plays a greater role in shaping energy research, policy, and investment.

AEF will competitively award multi-year grant funding and technical assistance to a consortium of African institutions (e.g. ‘Hubs’ composed of universities, think tanks, and civil society organizations) to drive their own research on African energy transitions and produce analysis that advances energy and climate planning. Critical to the functioning of the hubs are platforms for sharing knowledge and expertise.

About the role

Reporting to the Project Director, the Hub Community Manager will be responsible for creating and managing collaboration and partnership platforms for African energy researchers, both for existing and prospective hubs. The successful candidate will therefore be responsible for partnership management, communications, collaboration platforms, resource identification and provision, advisory council establishment, and helping with managing the bidding process and call for proposals. This will include mapping key stakeholders, organize conferences, and coordinating with the wider African Climate Foundation staff.

In coordination with the Project Director, responsibilities include but not limited to:

Governance Arrangements:

• Identify and recruit members for the project’s advisory council.
• Define roles and responsibilities for advisory council members.
• Facilitate regular advisory council meetings and ensure effective communication.
• Support learning and knowledge management processes and monitoring and evaluation, working closely with the MEL team.

Bidding Process and Call for Proposals:

• Implement a transparent and competitive bidding process.
• Evaluate proposals and make recommendations for hub selection.
• Update bidding documents and assessment/audit rubrics.
• Manage due diligence processes.
• Procure service providers and experts.

Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement:

• Map key stakeholders, develop engagement strategies and build strong relationships with project stakeholders.
• Communicate regularly with stakeholders to provide updates and gather feedback.
• Identify key contacts at target institutions.

Conference and Community Event Organization:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate conferences and events related to the community.
• Handle logistics, invitations, and coordination with speakers and participants.
• Set up community of practice event schedule.

Administration, Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare regular project status reports for the Project Director and other stakeholders.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including plans, reports, and minutes of meetings.
• Assist with general administration and help draft proposals.

Communications:

• Manage the quarterly newsletter, including highlighting prominent African research and researchers.
• Monitor website hub registrations and ensure registered hubs list is updated.
• Manage and create social media content and campaigns.
• Manage the AEF communications strategy.
• Work closely with the hub network to create and publish compelling impact stories, case studies or multimedia, that highlight African researchers and their expertise.

Research and Community Support:

• Help to identify what resources are available across Africa (models and data)
• Assess and analyse bids received and produce hub recruitment strategy and inform the fundraising strategy and communications.
• Identify core channels for engaging with the African academic and energy community.
• Support the Director with research as required.

Requirements include but are not limited to:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, nonprofit management, business, education administration, economics, energy, climate change, or science).
• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience required within the following areas: Proven project management experience, and ability to coordinate technical initiatives preferably in energy, climate, or academia, and community management and communications.
• Experience managing or working with international institutes and/or academic institutions.
• Knowledge of communications and marketing platforms and strategies.
• Experience working with African governments a plus.
• Have a passion for promoting energy access, climate resilience, and economic development across Africa.
• Enjoy working with people and building a community of practice of researchers from different backgrounds, but with an energy focus.
• Experience in energy analysis and understanding of the African energy transitions and policy landscape is helpful.
• Be hyper-organized and proactive.
• Skilled in diplomacy and relationship building.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently (virtually and in-person) with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize, and multi-task.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Able to travel to different African countries for business (when required).
• Proficiency in French will be a plus.

Start date: Position available immediately

Location: Africa. Remote work will be considered for candidates based on the African Continent

Contract duration: 12 months (renewable based on mutual agreement)
Closing date: 30 November 2025

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

Should you not hear back from us by 28 February 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.