Partnerships Lead Consultant

Overview

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.  As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.   

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and implement many of the foundational environmental laws in the United States. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago,  Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (as a private for profit subsidiary of NRDC, NRDC India Private Limited).  

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature, and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org 

Scope of Work 

NRDC is seeking a Consultant to act as Partnerships Lead in advancing the work of the International Department in the African Continent. The Partnership Lead Consultant  will work in close collaboration with partners in Africa and with various NRDC teams for the execution of new projects in Africa focused on  i) Strengthening  communities and ecosystems’ resilience to climate change; ii) Expanding access to clean energy solutions and the benefits of clean energy supply chains in the context of just energy transitions; and iii) Increasing financial investments in clean energy, nature-based solutions, adaptation and resilience more broadly. 

 

The Partnerships Lead Consultant will be responsible for strengthening relationships with existing partners, identifying and cultivating new strategic partnerships aligned with NRDC’s missions and priorities, leveraging partnerships to drive impactful climate and clean energy initiatives in Africa, and representing NRDC across the region. This role involves providing support in developing and implementing a comprehensive regional strategy that fosters engagement with governmental bodies, local stakeholders, and community organizers.  

 

The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills, strong regional networks, the ability to translate partnerships into tangible collaboration opportunities, an understanding of climate challenges in urban and rural settings, and the ability to advocate for policies that support sustainability and resilience. The role demands a passionate Partnerships Lead, committed to transforming the climate and energy landscape in Africa while ensuring an equitable distribution of resources and opportunities for communities. The position will report to NRDC’s Associate Director, Emerging Solutions and Global Partnership in the India Division of the International Department and also work closely with the Senior Vice President International. This is a term limited consultancy position for 3 years, with the option to extend depending on funding. 

Responsibilities

Partnerships and Strategy Development 

• Lead engagement with existing partners, and support outreach to cultivate new partnerships across government, civil society, philanthropy, academia, industry, etc. 
• Strengthen NRDC’s partnerships strategy in Africa, support the development of a holistic Africa strategy for engagement with partners, funders, states and cities to advance climate and clean energy solutions, identify opportunities for strategic expansion of work areas that align with programmatic activities and fundraising priorities 
• Support stakeholder mapping and landscape analysis in priority countries 
• Initiate exploratory discussions and develop concept notes for potential collaborations 
• Support discussions and formalization of partnership agreements (MoU, strategic collaborations, etc.) 
• Advise on regional trends, opportunities, risks, leverage the research and analysis from other colleagues and provide insights on institutional, political, and funding landscapes in Africa

External Engagement 

• Ensure consistent on-the-ground engagement in pr