About the Organisation
Southern Transitions is a climate and transition think-tank working to advance just transitions in the Global South. We are focused on transformative economic opportunities for systems that are changing, emerging and scaling up in the transition. Embedded in the Global South, we are experienced in bridging public, private and civil society actors and driving an entrepreneurial, innovative and implementation focus in all our work. We draw on our growing network to collaboratively generate ideas, evidence and experiments for transition. We are a non-profit, purposive-driven organisation, funded through grants aligned to our mission and work programme, initially by climate and human rights philanthropies.
About the Job
What if you could direct your passion to drive positive change towards a fair and equitable low-carbon, climate resilient society?
What if you could access levers to influence significant role players and the policies and structures that are shaping decarbonisation, the energy transition and inequality in the Global South?
What if you could do this in a young, dynamic, Global South think-tank with room to grow and shape the organisation?
The Project and Knowledge Manager at Southern Transitions will hold a central, cross-cutting role that supports project implementation, organisational development, and knowledge dissemination in a dynamic, Global South-focused think tank. This position blends project and knowledge management with communication and operational functions, contributing both to strategic growth and day-to-day operations. Responsibilities span from leading project planning, evaluation and stakeholder coordination to building internal systems, managing partnerships, and shaping written outputs. Ideal for someone with strong organisational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, this role offers the opportunity to evolve alongside the organisation and help drive meaningful climate and development outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Project management: leading high-grade project planning and execution, monitoring and evaluation (in line with various funder and partner requirements), ensuring impeccable time management and collaborative excellence
Organisational development: helping build an organisation that is geared to realise our vision and mission, encompassing capacity, systems and processes to deliver our strategy; proactively contributing to the culture of the organisation, including leadership on our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Operations management: helping build and implement organisational systems (finance, HR, governance, stakeholder management) and contributing to ensuring the organisation's good reputation, institutional strength and resilience and the well-being of staff
Knowledge management: developing knowledge management systems to support all work programmes, and supporting strategic coordination
Knowledge dissemination and communications: facilitate the delivery of impactful written and verbal outputs and processes (e.g. workshops and strategy development)
Network management: managing our network of associates, partner organisations and consultants, as well as other stakeholders, with the support of the team
Fundraising: promoting projects (business development) but also driving impact through ongoing work with funders, partners and beneficiaries of our work
Climate action and implementation: fostering the operationalisation of Southern Transitions’ ‘think and do tank’ work
Requirements
Qualifications, Experience and Skills
Experience managing long-term projects or programme delivery, including workplan, budgeting, communication and event organisation.
Excellent people skills, and experience working with small teams in a way that supports staff development and contributes positively to organisational culture.
Strong problem-solving aptitude.
A collaborative mindset and a proven ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Demonstrated interest and understanding in areas of sustainable development, such as climate change, energy and just transitions, green industrialisation, inequality and development, international trade and investment, and sustainable finance, particularly relevant to the Global South.
Thrive in a remote work environment and within a global, multinational team
Based in / from the Global South (Preference will be given to candidates within +/-3 hours of Central African Time (GMT+2))
Fluent in English, with Portuguese, Spanish, French, Arabic or Mandarin as a plus.
Able to translate complex and complicated technical information into compelling narratives.
2 – 5 years of directly relevant experience.
Bachelor’s degree or higher. Preference will be given to multi-disciplinary degrees, interesting combinations or degrees directly relevant to climate change (environmental and other sciences, development economics, political science, environmental engineering, geography, anthropology, etc).
People currently studying towards a Master’s degree are particularly encouraged to apply.
Confident command of Microsoft 365 (We also use other tools, such as Mendeley, but these can be easily learnt!)
Soft Skills Required:
Organised and structured, with the ability to track delivery across multiple projects and timeframes
Thrive in a start-up, largely decentralised (remote) and fast-paced, changing environment
Ability to multi-task, work remotely and be self-driven
Flexibility and adaptability to move between tasks, shifting deadlines & responsibilities
Outcomes focused
To apply
Please note: Southern Transitions acknowledges that remote work is not appropriate for all candidates and kindly requests that candidates consider this opportunity and how it aligns with their personal preferences and nature. For the right candidate, this role can expand and expose them to career-moulding opportunities, networks and projects. As such, candidates from a variety of backgrounds will be considered.
Southern Transitions is growing but doing so carefully, to ensure we build the right team. Until a dedicated administrative staff member is recruited, this role will need to assume and implement some administrative tasks.
To apply, email your application by Friday 1 August 2025 to callum@actionappointments.co.za
