Program Associate

Invest Impactly; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 450,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangement in CapeTown

12-month fixed-term contract with the潜

Professional development in climate政策

Diversified, inclusive culture

Job summary

Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) is recruiting a Program Associate (Project Delivery Lead) based in Cape Town. The role supports CPI’s South Africa programs and the GTPariF initiative, with a 12-month fixed-term contract and 40 hours per week.

The successful candidate will manage budgets, contracts, and reporting, coordinating with multiple stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of climate finance programs. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree, 3+ years in grants/project management,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in any field.
• 3+ years of progressive experience administering high-profile programs or grants.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Experience in grants or contract administration or project management.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Eligibility to work in South Africa (no visa sponsorship).
• PMP certification or related qualification (hugely beneficial).

Responsibilities

• Lead tracking of financial spending, budgets, and performance metrics for GTPariF projects.
• Oversee staff/consultant resourcing and contracting while ensuring compliance and risk control.
• Manage budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting with CPI Finance teams.
• Coordinate grant lifecycle from proposal development through award closeouts.
• Support development of project proposals, budgeting, and contracting documentation.
• Provide ad hoc tools and templates to program managers for business development.

Skills

Budget management

Grant administration

Project management

English fluency

Staffing & resourcing

Risk management

Communication with stakeholders

Education

Bachelor's degree

PMP certification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Grant management software

Job description

About Climate Policy Initiative

Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) is an analysis and advisory organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a global presence across seven international offices. The organization specializes in providing deep expertise in finance and policy to drive economic growth while addressing climate change. CPI’s mission centers on helping governments, businesses, and financial institutions achieve economic growth while tackling climate-related challenges through innovative financial solutions and policy recommendations. The organization is recognized as a leader in tracking sustainable investment trends, identifying innovative business models, and supporting solutions that facilitate the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and inclusive economy. CPI distinguishes itself through its unique focus on climate finance, its ability to convene key stakeholders across sectors, and its analytical rigor in examining complex economic and environmental policy issues. The organization maintains a strong presence in emerging markets and developing economies, recognizing the critical role these regions play in global climate action and sustainable development. CPI’s work spans multiple continents and focuses on supporting the financial architecture needed to achieve climate goals. The organization works with diverse partners including multilateral development banks, governments, private sector entities, and civil society organizations. CPI’s team of experts brings multidisciplinary perspectives to challenges at the intersection of finance, climate, and development. The South Africa office is part of this global network and contributes to the organization’s mission of mobilizing climate finance and supporting policy frameworks that enable sustainable economic transitions.

About this Role

Climate Policy Initiative is recruiting for a Program Associate (Project Delivery Lead) position based in the Cape Town office. This role will support CPI’s South Africa-based programs and the recently established Global Transformation Facility for Paris Alignment of Financial Intermediaries (GTPariF) program in the United States. The position is a 12-month fixed-term contract, full-time role requiring 40 hours per week. The Program Associate will manage the full grant lifecycle, from project proposals through award closeouts, including budget and resource planning, business development, contracting, and risk management. The role requires coordinating financial and narrative reporting processes for major climate finance programs and projects while maintaining strong communication with multiple stakeholder groups. This position is pivotal in ensuring the smooth delivery of CPI’s climate finance initiatives. The successful candidate will serve as a key operational resource for program teams, providing essential support in financial management, compliance, and administrative functions. The role involves approximately 50 percent of time dedicated to GTPariF tasks and 50 percent supporting CPI’s South Africa program operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead tracking of financial spending, budget health, and other key performance metrics across all GTPariF project components in coordination with CPI program teams and Finance staff
• Lead discussions with program teams regarding staff and consultant resourcing requirements
• Support project teams with contract management including compliance and risk identification and management
• Lead ongoing financial forecasting to identify funding gaps and business development needs and opportunities for assigned programs
• Prepare narrative reporting through internal project management tools and client reporting processes
• Work with CPI Finance team to develop and deliver financial reports
• Coordinate business development processes, managing timelines and gathering input from program teams
• Navigate the CPI proposal development process for South Africa programs
• Support engagement with funder finance and operations teams for budget or contract changes
• Support CPI South Africa teams in contract management including compliance and risk identification
• Provide ad hoc support for program managers with tools, templates, and written inputs in business development and grant application processes
• Support development of project proposals, budgeting, and contracting documentation

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in any field
• Minimum 3 years of progressive professional experience administering high-profile programs or grants for government, business, and/or NGOs
• Evidence of increasing budget and resource management responsibilities
• Professional experience in grants or contract administration or project management in international development, sustainability, climate change, or a related field
• Exceptional project management skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Fluency in spoken and written English
• Eligibility to work in South Africa (no visa sponsorship available)
• PMP certification or related qualification (hugely beneficial)
• Proficiency with grant management software (beneficial)

Benefits

• Excellent and competitive compensation and benefits package
• Hybrid working arrangement with teams spending 3 days per week in the Cape Town office
• 12-month fixed-term contract position with potential for extension based on performance and organizational needs
• Opportunity to work on impactful climate finance initiatives with a globally recognized organization
• Professional development in climate policy and sustainable finance
• Work in a diverse, equity-focused organizational culture committed to removing barriers across class, race, religion, nationality, region, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, and physical ability