Closing date for applications: 5pm GMT on Friday 27th April 2012.

Working arrangements: Working from home with extensive regional travel.

Contract: Full-time for 7 months, or 3 days per week for 12 months. It is hoped that the successful candidate will help to raise sufficient funds for the post to continue after the initial contract has expired.

Solar Radiation in the MENA Region - the potential for solar power is mind-boggling!

The Climate Parliament is a global network of legislators working to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. We raise awareness among MPs of the dangers of global warming, and of the risks of relying on finite supplies of fossil fuels. We support legislators in taking political, legislative and budgetary initiatives to promote solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal and other forms of renewable energy.

In the nations of North Africa and the Middle East, we are highlighting these countries' vast potentials in solar and wind power. High solar radiation in deserts provides excellent conditions for the large-scale development of photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP), both to satisfy domestic demand and to supply export markets in Europe and elsewhere. Likewise, there is significant potential for the development of wind power in these regions.

In all regions of the world, we are stressing the importance of new grids to enable the transition to renewables. Regional supergrids can link together the areas with the most abundant renewable resources – solar power in deserts, hydropower in the mountains, wind power on windy coastlines – to create a reliable supply of energy for everyone. For off-grid villages, mini-grids can enable them to harness local energy resources such as solar, biomass and small hydro. We are also pressing for more ambitious national targets for renewable energy, and stronger financial incentives for investment in the sector.

The Climate Parliament is based in Europe, and is chaired by Sir Graham Watson MEP, a senior member of the European Parliament. In less-industrialised countries we are collaborating closely with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). While the Climate Parliament helps MPs to get organised and take initiatives in their parliaments, UNDP provides technical advice to assist the MPs in developing their initiatives.

The Regional Director will work under the direction of the Climate Parliament's Secretary-General, who is based in the UK.

If funds are raised to make a longer term contract possible, the compensation package will include additional payments into a pension scheme and other benefits.

Person specification:

  • A personal commitment to urgent action on climate change;
  • Robust knowledge of the renewable energy sector and substantial experience working on energy policy issues;
  • Familiarity with policy-making processes at a high level. Experience working with parliamentarians is helpful.
  • Fluent written and spoken Arabic and preferably also French;
  • Fluent spoken English;
  • Good university degree in a relevant discipline;
  • At least 10 years of progressively responsible work experience;
  • Experience of managing staff;
  • Co-operative, team worker;
  • Ambitious about policy change: in this organisation, a desire to help change the world is an asset, and ambitious objectives are not discounted as unrealistic. We don’t like to hear “it can’t be done”!
  • Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

Job description – the Regional Director will:

  • Through visits to key regional capitals, as well as phone and email contact, build up a network of interested MPs across North Africa and the lower-income countries of the Middle East, possibly looking as far east as Pakistan.
  • Support the Climate Parliament's networks in the Francophone countries of sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Working with expert advisers, identify opportunities for parliamentary action to advance the Climate Parliament's goals.
  • Assist MPs in arranging and preparing meetings with heads of government, Ministers and officials, and in drafting Parliamentary Questions, letters to Ministers or policy proposals.
  • Liaise with our partner organisation the UNDP to facilitate technical advice on legislative and policy initiatives.
  • Participate with colleagues in other regions in the preparation of an international Handbook for Legislators and occasional briefing papers for MPs covering the renewable energy potential of different regions, the need for new grids, and ways to strengthen incentives for renewable energy.
  • Organise occasional international parliamentary committee hearings, and arrange participation by MPs in the annual inter-regional Climate Parliament Forum.
  • Raise funds from development agencies, business leaders and foundations to expand the Climate Parliament's work in the region and worldwide.
  • Explore joint initiatives by heads of government in the region, possibly as part of a global head of government initiative, to promote regional supergrids and large-scale renewable energy trading across borders.
  • Carry out any other tasks which the Climate Parliament may require.

To apply, please send a CV (resumé), as well as a covering letter explaining your suitability for the position (both as .PDF attachments), to recruitment@climateparl.net, with “MENA Regional Director” as the subject line of the email. Please ensure your CV contains full contact details, including a telephone number. Please state where you first saw this job advertisement.

Kindly note that we cannot respond to applicants individually - if you are shortlisted, we will contact you by early May. If you have not heard from us by the end of May, you may assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion. Thanks for your understanding.