Policy Engagement Manager, Africa

Degrees Initiative Private Limited; England; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An NGO focused on climate change seeks a Policy Engagement Manager for Africa. This fully remote role allows you to work from the UK or Africa, engaging key policy actors to strengthen the voice of the Global South in SRM discussions. Ideal candidates have advanced degrees and at least 10 years of relevant experience, including climate change policy and diplomacy. This position is pivotal in fostering connections across the region and supporting independent policymaking efforts. Apply now to join a mission-driven team.

Benefits

Opportunity for impact on climate policy

Dynamic and values-driven team

8% employer pension contribution for UK candidates

25 days of annual leave for UK candidates

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (master's) in relevant natural or social sciences, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in climate change science and policy.
• Experience in project formulation, monitoring, evaluation, and synthesis.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage key policy actors in Africa.
• Work with SRM researchers to develop a coordinated community.
• Build partnerships with like-minded organizations.
• Support the execution of the Degrees policy engagement strategy.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation activities.

Skills

Climate change knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Experience in diplomacy

Communication in English

Education

Advanced university degree (master's)

Job description

Salary: £55,000-70,000, depending on experience. If based outside of the UK, the compensation will be scaled per United Nations’ post adjustment system.

Duration: Initial 18-month fixed term contract if in UK, consultant with initial 18-month contract if in Africa.

Location: Remote, based in either the UK or Africa. UK Candidates will require an existing right to work within the UK.

The Degrees Initiative seeks a Policy Engagement Manager, Africa to join a growing mission-driven organisation focused on solar radiation modification, climate change, global development, and scientific capacity building.

About the Degrees Initiative

The Degrees Initiative is a UK-based NGO that strengthens the capacity of the Global South to evaluate solar radiation modification (SRM), a controversial proposal for reducing some impacts of climate change by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth. Degrees is neutral on whether SRM should ever be used, but we believe that the Global South should be empowered to conduct their own research and to play a central role in SRM discussions. The initiative has been working in different forms for over a decade, and our work receives worldwide coverage and widespread acclaim.

This is a unique opportunity to inform conversations on SRM in Africa. Rather than lobbying for outcomes, Degrees aims to support informed, independent policymaking by fostering connections between researchers and policymakers and strengthening institutional expertise. Degrees promotes regional research, creates spaces for policy‑science dialogue, and supports the dissemination of Global South research.

Responsibilities

The Policy and Engagement Manager , Africa will strengthen the voice of the Global South in discussions and potential negotiation s on SRM research and governance with relevance to Africa by connecting experts to policy processes . Accordingly , the successful candidate will :

• Identify and engage key policy actors (e.g. national delegates and legislators, scientific advisors, intergovernmental officials) in Africa, connecting them to local SRM experts and providing them with information, where appropriate, while remaining neutral regarding the potential use and governance of SRM ;
• Work with SRM researchers from the region to support the ongoing development of a coordinated community of experts ;
• Build informal and formal partnerships with like‑minded organizations, helping to inform discussions and counter misinformation about climate and SRM .
• Share expertise and experience gained from Africa with staff and researchers and participate, as appropriate, in activities in Asia and the Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean to gain similar expertise ;
• Identify the most impactful international forums and regional SRM discussions, and work to connect local experts into these ;
• Identify a core group of researchers interested in policy engagement, and facilitate and join their participation in governance fora such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNFCCC COP, UN Environment Assembly, and meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity;
• Support the execution and coordination of the Degrees policy engagement strategy in collaboration with other policy and programmatic staff ;
• Contribute to budgeting and alignment with programmes ;
• Support monitoring, evaluation and learning ( MEL ) activities by contributing to tracking, documentation, and reporting of policy engagement outcomes ;
• In cooperation with the communications staff, ensure the development of clear, contextualised briefing materials for policy makers and other audiences .

Qualifications

• An advanced university degree ( master's) in relevant natural or social sciences, or equivalent professional experience ;
• At least 10 years of relevant experience , such as in climate change science and policy, global development, or multilateral diplomacy , especially in Africa ;
• Experience in project formulation, monitoring, evaluation, and synthesis ;
• Exceptional organisational skills, adept at multitasking, setting and delivering on strategic priorities, and working under pressure ;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and build relationships across diverse backgrounds and organisational levels ;
• Comfort working remotely in a dynamic, evolving environment with a start‑up culture ;
• Proficient in communicating science to non‑academic audiences with the ability to distil key messages from complex information for high‑level decisions, particularly at the science‑policy interface ;
• A commitment to the mission and values of the charity ;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English ;
• Existing eligibility to work in the country you are based, either in the UK or Africa .
• Knowledge of solar radiation modification, or experience working a comparable emerging technology ;
• Experience in interdisciplinary and/or multinational scientific environments ;
• Connections in climate and environment policy circles in Africa ;
• Experience traveling independently ;
• Proficiency in an African language .

Benefits of working at Degrees

• You will join a growing and dynamic charity operating at the intersection of climate change and global development.
• You will have the opportunity to contribute to a potentially high‑impact issue by helping shape global conversations on SRM, empowering researchers in the Global South and collaborating with some of the world’s leading SRM experts.
• You will be part of a values‑driven team committed to equity, capacity building, and high professional standards, working with globally diverse scientists, policy experts, and changemakers.
• The role is fully remote, allowing you to live anywhere within the United Kingdom or Africa subject to you having a pre‑existing right to work in your chosen location. Degrees cannot sponsor visas.
• For UK candidates, the team meets face‑to‑face at quarterly awaydays in the UK that are organised and paid for by the charity.
• For those based in the UK, Degrees provides an 8% employer pension contribution with no required employee contribution, which is generous by the standards of the UK third sector.
• For those based in the UK, you will receive 25 days of annual leave per year, in addition to UK public holidays. If the charity closes between Christmas and New Year, you may also receive up to 3 extra days of leave.
• For those based in Africa, we will strive to provide similar benefits.

To apply

Ready to apply? Please complete the form below by answering the questions and uploading your CV. To help us process your application faster, please title your file Firstname_surname_PMA_CV.

You will receive a reply confirming receipt of the application.

The deadline for applications is 02 January 2026 (23:59 GMT) . Successful applicants will be invited to an initial interview, which will include an assessment exercise. Those progressing further will be invited to a second interview.

If we do not identify the right candidate during the initial recruitment cycle, then this will move to a rolling deadline.

For more information on this exciting opportunity, please contact us at [e-mail]

Application form

Data protection statement

The Degrees Initiative collects and processes personal data as part of the recruitment process. This information is used solely to assess your suitability for the role and to take necessary steps prior to entering into an employment contract.

We rely on the lawful basis of Article 6(1)(b) of the UK GDPR (processing necessary for the performance of a contract or to take steps prior to entering into a contract). If your application is successful, your data will also be used to administer your employment.

Your personal data will be handled confidentially and stored securely. We may retain recruitment data for record‑keeping, future recruitment opportunities, or legal compliance purposes.

Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to access, correct, or erase your data, and to object to or restrict processing, where applicable.

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