Partnerships Lead Consultant

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council Inc.) works to safeguard the Earth its people its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than3 million membersand online activists with theexpertiseof some 800 policy advocates lawyers scientists and communication experts to confront the climate crisis protect nature ensure the rights of all people to clean air clean water and healthy communities.As an international nonprofit environmental organization NRDC is working to address the worlds most urgent environmental challenges and advance innovative science-based and enforceable solutions.

Since our founding in 1970 NRDC has helped craft andimplementmany ofthefoundational environmental lawsin the United States. Today we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local state federal and international levels as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world from offices inChicago LosAngeles New York City San Francisco and Washington D.C. as well as in Beijing and New Delhi (asaprivate for profit subsidiary of NRDC NRDC India Private Limited).

Supported by our members and online activists NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confrontthe climatecrisis defend natureand safeguard public health acrossAsia Africa and the Americas. At NRDC we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent passion andexpertisetogether for a common purpose: to build a cleaner healthier and more resilient world. Learn more at

Scope of Work

NRDC isseekingaConsultantto act asPartnerships Leadin advancingthework of theInternational DepartmentintheAfrican Continent.ThePartnership LeadConsultantwillwork in close collaborationwithpartners in Africa andwithvariousNRDCteamsforthe execution ofnewprojects in Africafocusedoni)Strengthening communities and ecosystems resilience to climate change;ii)Expandingaccess to clean energy solutions and the benefits of clean energy supply chainsin the context of just energy transitions; andiii)Increasingfinancial investments in clean energy nature-basedsolutionsadaptationand resiliencemore broadly.

The Partnerships LeadConsultantwillbe responsible forstrengtheningrelationships with existing partnersidentifyingand cultivatingnew strategic partnerships aligned with NRDCs missionsand prioritiesleveragingpartnerships to drive impactful climate and clean energy initiatives in Africa andrepresentingNRDC across the region.Thisrole involvesprovidingsupport indeveloping and implementinga comprehensive regional strategy that fosters engagement with governmental bodies local stakeholders and communityorganizers.

The ideal candidate willpossessstrong interpersonal skillsstrong regional networksthe ability to translate partnerships intotangible collaboration opportunitiesan understanding of climate challenges in urban and rural settings and the ability toadvocate for policies thatsupport sustainability and resilience.Therole demands a passionatePartnershipsLeadcommitted to transforming theclimate andenergy landscape inAfricawhile ensuringanequitabledistribution of resources and opportunities for communities.The position will report to NRDCs Associate Director Emerging Solutions and Global Partnership in the India Division of the International Departmentandalsowork closely with the Senior Vice President International.This is a term limited consultancy position for3years withtheoptionto extend depending on funding.

Partnerships and Strategy Development

• Lead engagement with existing partners and support outreach tocultivatenew partnerships across government civil society philanthropy academia industry etc.
• StrengthenNRDCs partnerships strategy in Africasupport the development of a holistic Africa strategy for engagement with partners funders states and cities to advance climate and clean energy solutionsidentifyopportunities for strategic expansion of work areasthat align withprogrammatic activities and fundraising priorities
• Supportstakeholder mapping and landscape analysis in priority countries
• Initiate exploratory discussions and develop concept notes for potential collaborations
• Support discussions and formalization of partnership agreements (MoU strategic collaborationsetc.)
• Advise on regional trends opportunities risksleveragethe research and analysis from other colleaguesand provide insights on institutional political and funding landscapes in Africa

External Engagement

• Ensure consistent on-the-ground engagement in priorityor partnercountries (approximately40-50% travel) strengthen local relationships and institutional visibility andcollaborate closely with partners and government agencies
• Represent NRDCin convenings and engagementswhen staffare unabletoattendserve as the primary liaison for regional partners and stakeholdersandposition the organization as a strategic partner in the region
• Organize convenings andevents tostrengthenon-the-groundpartnershipsto advanceNRDCs programmaticwork in Africa
• Undertakeinternational travel for meetings conferences and partner engagement

Project Implementationand Coordination

• Work cross-functionally with partnersprojectteam and consultants to ensuretimelydeliveryofNRDCsresearchprojectand advocacyobjectives
• Serveas liaison between project teams and in-country partners ensuring effective coordination and communication
• Collaboratewith projectand researchleads to document outputs and impacts of key initiatives andsupport organizational reporting and learning
• Identifykey materials for translation (English-FrenchorFrench-English) and either translate directly or coordinate with external translators as needed)
• Maintain regular domestic and international communication via phone email and in-person meetings
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Research and Analysis

• Conduct research and provide contributions to policy and technical research analysis writing on climate change and environmental health
• Prepare clear and concise research reports policy briefs whitepapers and presentations summarizing research findings and policy recommendations

The above list of duties is not comprehensive butgenerally demonstratesthe types of matters under the positions responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelors degreeor higherin environmental studies public policy economics or equivalent related experience
• 5-7years ofpreviouswork experience in energy/environmental or other policy work inSub-Saharan Africa especially West Africa with on-the-ground experience preferred
• Workexperience in energyand environmentaltopics such as renewable energy energy access utilitiesenergy efficiency electric mobilityclimate change biodiversity conservationadaptationfinanceand relevant policy.
• Multi-stakeholder engagement experience.

Skills Abilities Competencies

• Fluency in speakingwritingand readingbothEnglish andFrench (Frenchnative speaker preferred)
• Ability to travel internationallyapproximately40-50% annually
• Excellentwritten and verbal communication skills
• Ability tobuild and sustainpartnerships with state level government departments on specific work areasincludingfollowing up with them for completion of agreed actions and timelines.
• Ability towork independently and strategicallyin multicultural settingfollow institutional proceduresprioritize and efficiently execute many tasks
• Excellentoutreachand analytical skills
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Highproficiencywith Microsoft Office (Word Excel Outlook) in addition to knowledge of or ability to learn relevant industry and NRDC specific software and platforms.
• Competence with and commitment to diversity and inclusion; ability to be an effective partner with diverse colleagues leaderspartners and consultants
• Commitment to NRDCs mission values and DEI principles.

This position is offered strictly on acontract basisand does not constitute a permanent or full-time employment relationship.Accordingly the candidate willnot be eligiblefor company-sponsored benefits including but not limited to health dental or vision insurance paid time off (PTO) retirement contributions or other employee-exclusiveperks. As a contractor you willbe responsible forproviding your own equipment.