British High Commission Social Development Adviser - Just Energy Transition Partnership - Jobs in South Africa

British High Commission Social Development Adviser - Just Energy Transition Partnership - Jobs in South Africa

Main purpose of job:

We are seeking to recruit a Grade 7 Country Based Social Development Adviser (SDA) to work on driving gender, equalities and social inclusion within a new partnership intended to transform the energy sector in South Africa.

At COP26 in Glasgow, in November 2021, South Africa, the UK, France, Germany, US and the EU agreed to form a Just Energy Transition Partnership. The JETP aims to support a ground-breaking commitment by South Africa to transform its energy sector away from coal and towards renewables becoming, over time, a low emission, climate resilient economy.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a top UK Government and international priority that will have real world impact, and address a major contributor to climate change. The Political Declaration signed at COP26 by South Africa and the International Partners Group (UK, France, Germany, US, EU) aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of South Africa’s economy, with a focus on the electricity system, to help it achieve the ambitious goals set out in its updated Nationally Determined Contribution emissions goals.

It will mobilise an initial commitment of $8.5 billion for the first phase of financing. The Political Declaration envisages preparation and endorsement of a JET investment plan within 12 months which needs to cover the following 5 areas:

Eskom restructuring (financial and operational);

Wider power sector reform including private sector participation;

Coal plant decommissioning;

Just transition for mining areas;

New industries (EV and hydrogen)

The postholder will bolster the HMG team that will be helping to develop the South Africa JETP Investment Plan by November 2022. The postholder will provide technical social development advice across the team including on gender equality, inclusion of marginalised groups, community participation and domestic accountability. The postholder will work closely with the SDA within the Human development group, with the Disability Champion and Safeguarding Risk Owner for the post.

The HMG JETP ‘team’ has been largely virtual, comprised of FCDO, BEIS, DIT and Cabinet Office. The bulk of our leads are based in the British High Commission Pretoria, which also acts as project leader, with additional support in our UK HQs. We also work with HMG representatives to African and multilateral financing institutions, such as the African Development Bank and World Bank. Collectively, we report to the FCDO Director for Africa (West and Southern) in her role as HMG South Africa JETP SRO who, in turn, coordinates closely with our High Commissioner to South Africa and the UK COP Envoy.

Roles and responsibilities:

This post holder will play an important role in leading our understanding of the “Just” part of JET P, with a focus on the UK’s commitment to gender, equalities and social inclusion

Understanding priorities around labour, communities and Civil Society participation, as well as gender, equalities and inclusion challenges in South Africa

Working with all partners (academic, civil society, government) to develop rigorous social and political analysis and to fill any sector specific analytical gaps required to define the focus on equalities and inclusion and the “just” nature of the investment plan

Providing a clear analysis of benefits and risks (including economic, social, environmental and safeguarding) in the proposed investment plan, and lead on developing and implementing mitigation activities

Understanding the dynamics within the affected local communities and identifying where, on the basis of evidence and gap-analysis, the UK can provide support

Proactive member of the JET Partnership virtual HMG team


Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Strong social development experience who is able to provide clear and high quality technical advice across a range of thematic areas

Demonstrable leader in promoting Diversity & Inclusion

Experience of community engagement during periods of significant change to lives

and livelihoods

Broad understanding of the required energy transition

Excellent organisational skills and ability to drive progress across multiple workstreams, to meet both long- and short-term goals

Experience of working collaboratively across teams and with external partners

Excellent communication and relationship building skills and experience of working with Government agencies, the MDBs and other donors

Experience of undertaking and managing social development analysis and solution-focused and creative thinking on policy and programming issues

Ability to accessibly communicate complex issues to diverse stakeholders


Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

A demonstrable track record of delivering social development outcomes at Expert Level, through strong capability in the Social Development competencies. More information is available in the Social Development Technical Competency Framework (TCF). (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-technical-competency-frameworks)

Previous experience and understanding of the South African labour market and related inequalities

Required behaviours

Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together

Other benefits and conditions of employment
Learning and development opportunities:

You will be working closely with the Human Development SDA to support mainstreaming of inclusion and equality principles across the office and to support an application to accredit to the Social Development Cadre
SDAs are encouraged to attend the SDA professional development conferences and undertake 10% technical advisory support to other teams within the organisation each year

The British High Commission pays in full for the Key Care Plus option on Discovery Health for staff including spouses/partners and dependants.

Once you have successfully completed your probation the British High Commission will contribute 9% of your monthly salary to a Provident Fund.

Annual leave entitlement of 25 days

Working hours per week of 36.5

Additional information
Working patterns:

The British High Commission office in Pretoria remains a flexible working environment. However, with the stabilisation of cases of COVID-19 staff are now encouraged to work from the office at least 5 days every two weeks.

Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.

Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.

The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.

Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Pretoria are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in South Africa.

All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.

The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;

Obtain the relevant permit

Pay fees for the permit

Make arrangements to relocate

Meet the costs to relocation

The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.

Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5

Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.



How to apply
For more information and job application details, see; British High Commission Social Development Adviser - Just Energy Transition Partnership Jobs in South Africa


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