2 Environmental Impact Assessment jobs in South Africa

Role:
Senior Analyst: Impact Assessment / ClimateShot Investor Coalition (CLIC)

Location:
Cape Town preferred. Delhi, or Rio di Janiero may also work.

Contract Type:
Full Time Fixed Term ending March 2027 with potential to be extended in line with CPI's growth.

Visa:
Applicants must have the right to work in the selected location
before
applying; CPI cannot provide visa support for this role.

CPI is a hybrid working environment, where employees are expected to work at least 40% (2 days a week) in the office.

About CPI

CPI is an analysis and advisory organization with deep expertise in finance and policy. We are unique in our focus on finance, our ability to get the right people to the table, and our analytical rigor.

CPI has offices in Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States and acts as the Secretariat for The ClimateShot Investor Coalition, alongside similar roles for The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (The Lab) and The Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA). As part of this workstream, ClimateShot Investor Coalition (CLIC) is an action-oriented group of investors working in agriculture and food systems. CLIC aims to rapidly scale up the finance necessary to shift toward low-carbon, climate-resilient, and nature-positive agriculture and food systems globally.

Position Summary

CPI is recruiting for a Senior Analyst position, to support the development and scaling of its unique climate and nature impact assessment (IA) work under the CLIC Agrifood Investment Connector pillar of CLIC.

• Building a
  detailed strategy and workplan
  to scale the CLIC Connector's climate and nature impact assessment work, drawing on the CLIC Connector's achievements and experience to date as well as alternative approaches and tools available externally.
• Advising, coaching and mentoring
  IA staff on
  how approaches and tools can be improved
  , including advising on any major issue areas that are under-developed and need further integration.
• Optimising digitalisation, artificial intelligence and automation
  to further facilitate exponential scalng while enhancing user experience and delivering high quality value addition for stakeholders and funders.
• Mapping, engaging and building excellent relationships with key stakeholders
  (subject matter experts, funders) in the ecosystem that are relevant for the success of achieving (1) and (2). Mapping reelvant stakeholders and effectively categorising significant groups across the ecosystem. Engaging these and establishing critical partnerships. Leading relationship building and Business Development processes
• for scaling CLIC's Impact Assessment to implement the strategy & workplan.

Key responsibilities

• Assess existing Connector Impact Assessment approaches and tools and compare with those available in the market and key impact frameworks and approaches used by impact investors and organizations in the ecosystem. Additionally, critically assess the types of SME supported and how they are selected. This review should consider the key objective of mobilizing robust impact-aligned investments to scale climate-nature solutions, balancing achieving a reasonable level of standardization to reduce inconsistencies and inefficiencies with ease of use to increase adoption and replicability.
• Advise IA staff on how approaches and tools can be improved, including advising on any major issue areas that are under-developed (e.g. nutrition, agro-ecology) and need further integration.
• Advise on how to optimise digitalisation, artificial intelligence and automation to further facilitate
• exponential scaling while enhancing user experience and delivering high quality value addition for stakeholders and funders.
• Build a detailed comprehensive strategy, workplan and budget to scale the CLIC Connector's climate and nature impact assessment work, both in terms of reach (currently the Connector works with approx. 16 early stage agri-SMEs per year), value add, impact and depth. This should include a partnership and resourcing strategy, funding strategy and budget.
• Develop and deliver compelling and articulate funder facing concept notes, proposals, work plans and budgets.
• Map and identify critical partners and funders, complete with clear analysis of how their priorities and works are aligned and supportive of the Connector's impact assessment objectives.
• Engage and excite potential partners and funders on future direction of the impact assessment work.
• Engage colleagues and leverage on CPI's global expertise and resources throughout the design process.
• Communicate and collaborate with CPI staff working around the globe.
• Produce high-quality materials on demanding deadlines.
• Coach and mentor junior team members.

Experience, skills, and personal attributes

• Bachelor's degree in economics, environmental, biological or physical sciences or another relevant field.
• At least six years professional work experience, including experience in developing and implementing quantitative and qualitative environmental and social impact assessment methodologies, tools and guidelines related to agrifood systems and climate, ideally related to nature, adaptation and resilience, as well as GHG mitigation.
• Experience optimizing, digitalizing and atomizing processes and building tools for various types of users.
• Experience building compelling strategies, blueprints, proposals, work plans, and budgets and articulating complex project proposals, USP and work plans to potential partners and funders.
• Understanding of the emerging markets' agrifood sector's challenges in the face of climate change and nature degradation, familiarity with the actors operating in the sector and with actions that are needed to mobilize the finance necessary to shift the sector towards climate and nature positive pathways.
• Independent, analytical mind with a track record of systemic thinking and applying sound financial, political and strategic judgment to complex issues
• Superior English written and verbal communications skills
• Good understanding of the funder and partner landscape for impact assessment related work
• Familiarity with political and economic contexts in developing and emerging economies, particularly in the agrifood sector.

Beneficial

• Master's degree in economics, finance, public policy, agriculture / agronomy or a related, rigorous field strongly preferred.
• Experience working with MSMEs and/or agribusinesses and understanding of their specific challenges and operating contexts.
• Familiarity with impact assessment methodologies specifically related to climate or nature finance for agrifood systems gained through work in: consulting companies, donor or international nonprofit organisations, think tanks, research organisations, agri-businesses, impact investors, government, and/or similar organisations.
• Knowledge and understanding of the IPCC guidelines for GHG inventories or other similar core resources, tools, standards and frameworks relevant also to climate adaptation and resilience and nature.

Competencies & Personal Attributes

• Advanced user of MS Office suite and Excel. Proficiency and experience with design and implementation of advanced digital tools like AI are beneficial.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, time management, and prioritization skills, and an ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.

To Apply

• Visit our website to submit an application by
  6 November 2025
  . Applications will also be considered in advance of the deadline, on a rolling basis
• With your application, attach: (1) CV/resume of maximum 2 pages, (2) a cover letter of maximum 1 page. Your cover letter should outline why you want to work with CPI and how your skills and experience align with the position requirements.
• Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

CPI Commitment:

Climate Policy Initiative is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. We seek to establish a working environment where all board members, staff, volunteers, and contractors feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, or education. We want to create an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity are openly valued as critical to the success of our organization and the achievement of our mission and vision.