Key Expert 2 – Junior Expert: Project management
Project description
The overall objective is to: “Contribute to the successful implementation of the Just Energy Transition in South Africa”
- Specific Objective 1: Policy & Regulation: Improved policy and regulatory framework for just energy transition
- Specific Objective 2: Capacity development: Strengthened institutional capacity to implement the just energy transition
- Specific Objective 3: Investment promotion: Increased public and private investments in the just energy transition
The specific objectives will be delivered across three result clusters:
(i) Energy and Electricity, focusing on institutional reforms, renewable energy planning, incl. green hydrogen production, storage and distribution, energy efficiency, electricity market, transmission systems (incl. SF6-free switchgears), energy infrastructure investment. This is central to the JETP and essential to attract investment, integrate renewables, ensure a reliable, inclusive, and sustainable power system, and improve the effectiveness of climate policy instruments including carbon pricing.
(ii) Climate Governance, supporting the implementation of the climate law across different policy sectors and through effective carbon pricing. An adequate governance framework is key to the success of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, enable investments in clean energy and clean tech industries, strengthen South Africa’s trade competitiveness and readiness to carbon border adjustment mechanisms, as well as incentivise emission reductions aligned with South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contribution.
(iii) Green Hydrogen, opening opportunities for domestic markets through green industrialisation and decarbonisation of energy intensive industries as well as for export markets and regional cooperation in particular with Namibia.
Job description
The proposed Project Manager will:
- Provide high-level technical advice and analysis on regulatory, legal, and financial frameworks needed to implement South Africa’s Just Energy Transition.
- Support government counterparts in aligning legislation and policy instruments with JET-IP and JETP objectives, including regulatory reforms and enabling frameworks.
- Develop and review financing models, investment plans, and de-risking mechanisms that support public and private sector participation in energy transition initiatives.
- Identify regulatory and legal barriers to implementation and propose actionable policy and legal reforms.
- Contribute to capacity building of public institutions on energy regulation, green finance, and institutional governance.
- Work closely with other Key Experts to ensure an integrated, cross-sectoral approach to legal and financial advice under the TA Facility.
- Support stakeholder engagement processes, particularly with ministries, regulators, DFIs, and the private sector.
Qualifications
Qualifications and Skills:
- At least a Master’s degree in law, public policy, energy economics, finance, or a relevant field. (A Bachelor’s degree plus an additional 3 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.)
- Strong analytical skills with demonstrated capacity to interpret complex legal, regulatory, and financial frameworks.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; knowledge of local regulatory and legal terminology in South Africa is an asset.
General Professional Experience:
- Minimum 6 years of professional experience in the energy, legal, regulatory, or public finance sectors.
- At least 3 years of experience working on legal or regulatory reform, energy sector governance, or infrastructure/energy finance.
- Experience with donor-funded technical assistance projects or policy advisory roles at national or regional levels.
Specific Professional Experience:
- At least 6 years of experience working on energy sector regulation, public-private partnerships (PPPs), or financial instruments for low-carbon or energy transition projects.
- Proven experience advising on or designing legal and regulatory frameworks related to energy market reform, Independent Power Producers (IPPs), or grid integration of renewables.
- Demonstrated experience with climate finance, including mobilising or structuring investments from development finance institutions (DFIs), green bonds, or blended finance mechanisms.
- Familiarity with South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), National Energy Regulator (NERSA) regulations, and policies guiding the JET-IP and Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).
- Experience working in South Africa or Southern Africa with national or provincial governments, regulatory bodies, or finance ministries is strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of EU policies and instruments related to climate action, development cooperation, and green finance will be considered an asset.
Your application
Application by: 14.11.2025
Contact person
Neha Khurana neha.khurana@gfa-group.de
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