Critical Minerals Specialist (Africa-Based)

Center for International Private Enterprise; Batu Pahat; Remote; MYR 247,000 - 372,000; Full time

Job summary

A global governance organization is seeking a full-time Critical Minerals Specialist to engage with companies and stakeholders in Africa and other regions. The role involves coordinating events, supporting project management, and contributing to governance initiatives in the critical minerals sector. The ideal candidate has a relevant bachelor's degree, significant experience in program management, and fluency in English, with an understanding of responsible sourcing and governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in fields like International Business or Political Science.
• Master's degree preferred in fields related to Natural Resources or Energy.
• Minimum 6 years of professional experience in NGOs or private sector.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation of project activities in critical minerals sector.
• Engage with companies and advocacy coalitions to expand participation.
• Organize high-level events and manage logistics.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Research and analytical skills

Fluency in English

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Master's degree in relevant field (preferred)

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Job description

Company Overview

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) strengthens democracy around the world through private enterprise and market‑oriented reform. CIPE is one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy and is an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Since 1983, CIPE has worked with business leaders, policymakers, and civil society to build the institutions vital to a democratic society. CIPE’s key program areas include Enterprise Ecosystems, Democratic Governance, Business Advocacy, Anti‑Corruption & Ethics and Trade.

Position

Critical Minerals Specialist (Africa‑based)

Reports to: Program Director

Location: Any country in Africa

Scope

CIPE is seeking a full‑time, Africa‑based Critical Minerals Specialist to support the U.S. government–funded Promoting Responsible Ownership and Transparency in Critical Minerals (PROTECT) project. The Specialist will play a central role in advancing CIPE’s strategy to strengthen democratic governance and responsible business conduct in the global critical minerals sector. This position will support the design and implementation of collective action initiatives by engaging directly with companies, chambers of commerce, SMEs, SOEs, and tech innovators across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The Specialist will coordinate outreach to private‑sector and institutional partners; help manage relationships with business associations, advocacy coalitions, and innovation networks; and contribute to risk‑mapping research and integrity roadmaps. The role includes organizing high‑level convenings and multi‑stakeholder events, managing logistics, preparing communications and reports, and supporting monitoring, evaluation, and compliance. Working closely with CIPE’s regional, communications, finance, and grants teams, the Specialist will ensure effective delivery of project activities and contribute to thought leadership on responsible sourcing, transparency, and accountability in global critical minerals supply chains.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for implementation of project activities in the critical minerals sector in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
• Support outreach to companies, chambers of commerce, state‑owned enterprises, and business associations to expand participation in the PROTECT.
• Support relationship management with private sector partners, advocacy coalitions, and innovation networks.
• Assist in collecting company feedback, updating databases, and documenting engagement outcomes.
• Assist with research to support risk mapping and roadmaps for reducing corruption in supply chains and procurement practices.
• Organize high‑level convenings, forums, hackathons, roundtables, workshops, and partner meetings.
• Coordinate logistics: invitations, venue arrangements, agenda development, speaker coordination, communications, vendor engagement, travel support, and participant list management.
• Prepare meeting minutes, event readouts, and follow‑up communications.
• Collect and organize data and documentation for reporting, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Monitor current events, including political and economic changes, and U.S. relations in the regions and assess the impact on ongoing and planned CIPE projects.
• Draft communications and outreach content for newsletters, presentations, and partner messaging.
• Liaise with partners on deliverables, agreements, and activity timelines.
• Track activity expenses and vendor documentation in coordination with CIPE finance and grants staff.
• Support quarterly reporting requirements through aggregation of partner data, event documents, attendance lists, and summary notes.
• Ensure adherence to CIPE and donor compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with multiple CIPE departments to achieve programmatic goals, including Communications, Grants and Finance, and other regional teams.
• Contribute to external communications; author blogs and other publications to advance CIPE’s thought leadership.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields is required: International Business, International Relations, Political Science, Economic Development, Public Policy, Economics & Governance of Minerals, Mineral Resource Management, Resource Economics, Supply Chain & Logistics, or related field.
• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Mining Law & Policy, Natural Resource Governance, MBA in Natural Resources or Energy, Executive courses in mining leadership, Supply Chain Transparency Programs (e.g., blockchain for traceability), International Relations, International Business, Economic Development, Political Science, or Public Policy is preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of professional experience with NGOs, private sector, supply chain, governance, or compliance work.
• Minimum 4 years of experience with program management and program implementation at a strategic level, preferred.
• Knowledge of the critical minerals sector or responsible sourcing is essential.
• Experience with international development and topics consistent with CIPE’s mission, including anti‑corruption and business ethics, democratic governance, business association advocacy, entrepreneurship and others.
• Experience coordinating events or multi‑stakeholder meetings.
• Prior experience with Department of State‑run programs is preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Fluency in English required, proficiency in French preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.