Regional Focal Point for Africa

Project: Enhancing parliamentary action on climate change: Building capacity and strengthening efforts to reduce methane emissions_

**Background**: The IPU has launched a two-year methane emissions reduction project, supported by the Global Methane Hub, to strengthen parliamentarians' ability to meet the goals of the Global Methane Pledge. The Andean Parliament is the project’s implementation partner. The initiative aims to provide members of parliament and their staff with the necessary knowledge and tools to implement legislative and policy measures for reducing methane emissions, with a particular focus on Africa in the first year and possible follow up in the second. The Regional Focal Point for Africa will support the global project team in carrying out the project and other climate action activities across Africa, ensuring alignment with regional needs and priorities.

**Organizational setting and reporting relationships**: The consultant will work in the International Development Programme of the Division of Programmes of the Inter‑Parliamentary Union (IPU). She/he will report to the Programme Manager for International Development and collaborate with the Global Project Officer.

**Accountabilities**: Within delegated authority, the consultant will undertake the following responsibilities:

- Assist in the implementation of the IPU project “Enhancing parliamentary action on climate change: Building capacity and strengthening efforts to reduce methane emissions” in Africa.
- Promote the project and its objectives in African parliaments.
- Identify project beneficiaries (parliaments) and partners, and establish and maintain strong working relationships with them.
- Support the organization of national and regional workshops, knowledge‑sharing initiatives and awareness raising activities on best practices for methane emissions reduction and climate action.
- Contribute to the development of content on project activities and results, including publications for the IPU website and other media platforms.
- Promote the project’s knowledge products on methane emissions in parliaments in the region.
- Identify and report any good parliamentary practices on methane emissions reductions in Africa.
- Provide additional support in relevant areas of IPU’s work, as needed.

**Key deliverables**:

- Desk review of parliamentary engagement on methane emissions reduction in Africa.
- Organization of at least one regional activity and support for two national parliaments in Africa.
- Contributions to communications and knowledge products, including region‑specific insights on parliamentary methane emissions reduction strategies.
- Periodic progress and final activities reports on African initiatives.
- Enhanced visibility and awareness of the IPU’s methane emissions reduction initiatives in African parliaments.
- Development of contact list/database of parliamentary champions on methane emissions reduction in Africa.
- Parliamentarians, Secretaries General/Clerks of parliament, parliamentary staff.

**Work implies frequent interaction with the following**:

- Officials of the United Nations and other partner organizations.
- Members of the IPU Secretariat.

**Requirements**:

- Good understanding of climate change issues, particularly within the African context, and familiarity with the region’s current political dynamics. Knowledge of strategies for methane emissions reduction and an understanding of the structure and functioning of national parliaments are desirable.
- University degree in political science, environmental studies, international relations, or a related field.
- Work experience with projects involving parliamentarians.
- Good knowledge of project management tools and techniques.
- 3 to 5 years of proven experience in managing projects in an international environment, preferably in Africa.
- Proven ability to work independently and deliver results.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
- Capability to work collaboratively within a team.
- Excellent reading, writing and speaking skills in English. Working knowledge of French is a distinct advantage.

**Duration**

The consultancy is for a maximum of 70 days, from 10 March 2025 to 31 December 2025. Subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds, the consultancy may be extended.

**Location**

The consultancy is home-based. The work may require occasional participation in events in Geneva or elsewhere. It would also be possible, but not a requirement, for the consultant to work from IPU headquarters in Geneva.

**Employment conditions**

**Recruitment principles**

All our consultants are expected to possess the following qualities:

- Motivation and a strong commitment to our principles
- Ability to work well in a multicultural team
- High level of technical knowledge relevant to the post
- Work experience at national and/or international level
- Fluency in at least one of our official languages (English, French) and a working