About the PRI

The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.

The PRI’s three distinct capabilities relate to the core elements of the PRI’s approach to achieving a sustainable financial system.

• Translate RI (Responsible Investment) thought leadership into insights and practical support that is tailored to what signatories need to progress their RI practice

• Convene our vast network to create opportunities for collaborative action

• Harness our global scale to influence policymakers and regulators to effect system change

Job Description

The policy resource for Africa will be responsible for policy analysis, research, and advocacy related to Africa's economic and just transition and responsible investment. 

The Senior Policy Specialist is a new role within the Responsible Investment Ecosystems Africa team. Responsible for setting the strategy on how best to engage with policymakers, policy analysis, research and advocacy related to Africa’s economic and just transition as well as for the coordination and local implementation of global PRI policy initiatives to drive progressive signatory action.  This includes translating the PRI’s global positions on sustainable finance strategies and frameworks, as well as climate, nature, and human rights policy, and developing local positions for African markets, developing positions on and responding to government policy, and making public statements or submissions in the PRI’s name. The work is conducted through evidence-based research and collaborative projects with PRI signatories and other stakeholders. More information on the PRI’s policy approach can be found on our website

The Senior Policy Specialist Africa will be working closely with other regional policy teams and PRI's global policy team to provide tools and insight to local policymakers, government departments, regulators, standard setters, and PRI signatories to pursue and deliver real-world sustainability outcomes consistent with the implementation of the PRI’s Mission and the Six Principles.

The role requires understanding of African policy and regulation and to work closely with the global RI Ecosystems and policy team colleagues in creating an enabling environment conducive to better RI practises. Domestic and occasional international travel will be required primarily for signatory meetings, industry events and internal meetings. The successful candidate will focus on Africa per the core responsibilities below, however they will be expected to collaborate on policy work in other markets on an ad-hoc basis.

The Senior Policy Specialist Africa reports to the Head of Africa, Responsible Investment Ecosystems.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop strategy and policy positions, consistent with the implementation of PRI’s Mission Statement, the Six Principles and ensuring consistency with other PRI positions.

• Submit and present sustainable finance and /or economic policy positions to policymakers and regulators at a senior (principal) level.

• Prepare briefing notes and presentations for PRI executives, PRI Ecosystem and global staff on local PRI policy activities.

• Work to build consensus with African signatories on draft policy positions, calibrating and integrating feedback increasing PRI Signatory support for sustainable finance policy.

• Monitor and research key developments relevant to sustainable finance, the economic transition and climate related policies in Africa.

• Identify new areas of research and advocacy to support PRI’s work on sustainable finance policy.

• Build and maintain good working relationships with key policy stakeholders in the financial system and climate policy spaces to inform investors’ expectations and create channels of communication between the African signatories and relevant stakeholders to effect system change.

• Initiate and strengthen working relationships with PRI’s other teams on local policy related issues, serving as the PRI’s policy expert in the region; in particular, working with Policy, Sustainable Systems and Investor Initiatives, ensuring the latest PRI positions are taken to local policy actors as appropriate.

• Contribute to and in some cases lead the ongoing delivery of any specific working group or ad hoc projects that have been assigned to enhance the understanding of key local market policy issues and players amongst colleagues. A key example of this could be contribution to the ‘Just Transition’ working group at an organisation level.

• Represent the PRI at key events  both digital and in person, on sustainable finance policy.

This list is representative (though neither exclusionary nor exhaustive) of the skills, experience, and behaviours needed to be successful in the role. Applicants will be assessed against the below criteria during the recruitment process.

• Working knowledge of the PRI, investment practice, the structure and operation of the investment chain and issues relating to sustainable finance and responsible investment.

• Working knowledge of public policy considerations in South Africa and Africa’s investment and financial sector. Prior work on sustainable finance policy preferred, e.g. ESG disclosure and data, non-financial reporting, corporate governance, proxy voting, etc.

• Demonstrated experience in policy analysis, formulating policy positions and conducting research, preferably including projects relevant to the finance industry.

• Outstanding communications and analytical skills demonstrated through professional experience, with professional English writing standard and editing skills.

• Strong verbal (including public speaking and facilitating workshops) and written communications skills in English. Ability to engage and motivate, present complex information and lead meetings with senior policy stakeholders and investors. Strong facilitation skills. Diplomacy, tact, and ability to build consensus within diverse perspectives.

• Excellent networking, influencing and interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong and productive relationships and demonstrate credibility at a senior level as a trusted partner in different circumstances (remote/in-person or internal/external) with a clear understanding of what drives people and how to achieve optimal outcomes.

• Knowledge of or interest in sustainable development and climate change, and their implications for public policy, with a philosophical commitment to sustainable investment and the mission of the PRI.

• Knowledge of or interest in sustainable development and climate change, and their implications for public policy, with a philosophical commitment to sustainable investment and the mission of the PRI.

Additional Selection Criteria

• Excellent written and spoken English language skills.

• Self-starter with ability to work autonomously. Candidates should be comfortable with remote working systems and practices, and working alone or as part of a small office.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to get on well as part of a team and work in small teams.

• A proactive, “can-do" attitude and collaborative approach to working with others.

• Academic qualification in economics, public policy, finance or international affairs or similar. PhD / post-master education in these areas a plus.

• Must be eligible to work in South Africa.

We particularly welcome candidates from under-represented groups, including Black, Asian, and other People of Colour, those with visible or non-visible disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates and those who are neurodivergent.

The PRI is committed to offering flexibility to our employees, both formal (e.g. part-time work) and informal (e.g. a shift in hours to accommodate caring responsibilities). Please talk to us about how we could make this role flexible for you.

N.B. We reserve the right to close a vacancy before the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities.