Portfolio Lead: Mpumalanga (JET PMU)

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 JET PMU

The JET PMU operates as a high-impact delivery unit, driving the Just Energy Transition (JET) through strategic coordination, agile execution, and results-driven implementation. Focused on accelerating project pipelines, mobilising resources, problem solving and fostering collaboration, the PMU bridges policy and action.

About the role

As part of the MOU signed between the African Climate Foundation (ACF) and the Just Energy Transition Projects Management Unit (JET PMU); the ACF agreed to provide resources to the JET PMU to enable the JET PMU to fulfil its mandate pursuant to the JET PMU’s terms of reference. This includes the secondment of technical experts across all relevant disciplines to support the agenda of the JET PMU.

The role of the Portfolio Lead: Mpumalanga is to strategically and operationally support the Lead Institution (the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA)) and the Mpumalanga provincial government to spearhead the strategic planning, coordination, and implementation of JET investments in Mpumalanga. This role is responsible for guiding and supporting MGCA and the Mpumalanga provincial government to establish the institutional arrangements set out for this Portfolio in the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (JET IP). The incumbent is responsible for supporting the MGCA to build a credible pipeline of just transition projects and programmes that enable the provincial economy, communities, and workers to move away from dependence on the coal value chain. This responsibility includes sourcing fit-for-purpose financing solutions for programmes and projects that will achieve this outcome. The incumbent will work closely with the JET PMU’s Funding Platform team, acting as a facilitator between JET project initiators in Mpumalanga and the JET Funding Platform’s service offerings. The incumbent will work closely with the management team being set up to drive the Accelarating Coal Transition Investment Plan (the ACT IP Desk) in respect of investments in communities and the regional economy affected by the planned closure of five coal-fired power stations in Mpumalanga by 2030. The ability to support the relevant institutions of state to build capacity for the execution of these investments is a central requirement of the role. The role is also responsible for ensuring that the Portfolio’s progress is monitored accurately within the JET Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, and that relevant data from this Portfolio interfaces seamlessly with the JET Investments Register. The incumbent will spend significant time in Mpumalanga, working closely with the MGCA, government institutions, state-owned companies, the private sector, multi-lateral development agencies, and development finance institutions to mobilise funding and technical expertise to drive the just energy transition in the province.

This role will be seconded to the JET PMU and will report to the Manager: JET Portfolios. The JET PMU will be responsible for managing, engaging with, and overseeing the Portfolio Lead: Mpumalanga responsibilities and deliverables.

Key Deliverables:

Building Institutional Capacity for the Mpumalanga JET Portfolio

• Support the MGCA to effectively manage its secretariat function for the Mpumalanga JET and Climate Change Coordinating Committee and Forum to drive multi-stakeholder engagement and decision-making.
• Support the operationalisation of the MGCA, ensuring its effectiveness in managing the development of the JET project pipeline, the JET monitoring and evaluation requirements, and the data systems needed.
• Support the Mpumalanga provincial government in fulfilling its roles for the JET.

Programme and Project Management

• Develop a programmatic approach and plan to unlock effective JET investments in Mpumalanga
• Ensure alignment with the ACT IP Desk on strategies and operations to support communities affected by Eskom coal power station closures.
• Work with the Lead Institution and other stakeholders to ensure the effective planning, execution, and monitoring of projects that will achieve JET outcomes in Mpumalanga.

Mobilising and Deploying Funding to Just Transition Projects

• Work with implementing partners to identify and prepare eligible JET programmes and projects for investment.
• Facilitate matchmaking for grants to JET projects through the JET Funding Platform, ensuring efficient allocation of financial resources.
• Work with the ACT IP Desk to help facilitate alignment with MGCA, Provincial and local government JET initiatives.
• Facilitate engagements with public and private sector financiers to assist developers in accessing resources for JET investments in the province.
• Work closely with international JET partners to ensure that the JET Investments Register accurately reflects pledged and deployed financing for Mpumalanga JET initiatives; and that JET grants and concessional loans are optimally aligned to priorities and avoid duplication of effort.
• Track and analyse the Mpumalanga JET project pipeline through the JET Investments Register, ensuring alignment with investment priorities.

Engaging Key Stakeholders

• Work with the JET PMU Manager: JET Communications and Analyst: JET Communications to prepare communications strategies and campaigns that proactively address JET needs in the Province, responding effectively to public discourse on JET.
• Foster MGCA and ACT IP collaboration with community-based organisations, civil society organisations, and trade unions to develop programmes and projects that address local JET needs.
• Ensure that there is inclusive participation of local communities in JET initiatives, integrating their insights and priorities into project planning and implementation.
• Strengthen relationships with government agencies, the private sector, and development partners to align efforts and maximise impact.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Track and report on the Portfolio’s progress and impact against defined performance indicators.
• Develop and implement monitoring frameworks for Mpumalanga projects in collaboration with the JET PMU’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team.
• Provide regular reports to the Manager: JET Portfolios and suggest improvements based on feedback and performance metrics.

Candidate Profile: What You Bring

Education

• Master’s Degree: Development Studies, Economics, Project Management, or a related specialized field.

Experience & Track Record

• At least 10 years of experience in program/project management and socio-economic development.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in both public and private sector
• Experience collaborating with provincial/national government, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and private partners to unlock large-scale investment.
• A successful history of project pipeline development, fund mobilization, and complex stakeholder engagement.
• A deep, nuanced understanding of South Africa’s energy landscape and the specific socio-economic challenges facing Mpumalanga.

Technical Competencies

• Linguistic Proficiency: Fluency in English, isiZulu, siSwati, and isiNdebele is essential. Conversational competence in Sepedi, Xitsonga, and/or Afrikaans will be considered a significant advantage.
• JET Subject Matter Expertise: Specialised knowledge in energy transition, sustainable development, and institutional governance frameworks.
• Financial & Economic Insight: Expertise in grant and investment mobilization processes, as well as unlocking regional economic diversification.
• Participatory Development: Working knowledge of community engagement and participatory development models to ensure local buy-in.
• Consensus Building: Advanced skills in negotiation and building consensus within high-stakes environments.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strategic Navigator: The ability to simplify and navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments with strategic foresight.
• Reputation & Seniority: A professional standing built on integrity, transparency, and a track record of accountability.
• Relational Leadership: Strong communication and negotiation skills that foster trust across diverse groups.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: A high-level capacity for critical thinking and the ability to find solutions where others see roadblocks.

Start date: Position available immediately

Location: Mpumalanga, South Africa

Contract duration: 12 months, consisting of 2 x 6-month renewable contracts

Closing date: 25 February 2026

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

Should you not hear back from us by 31 March 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.

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