What Works Climate Solutions Summit 2027 Coordinator

ASCEND is seeking a What Works Climate Solutions Summit 2027 Coordinator to support its involvement in the Summit, which will take place in Cape Town in April 2027.

The Summit will convene researchers, practitioners, funders, policymakers and development actors from around the world to advance evidence-informed climate solutions.

ASCEND will co-host the Summit and help ensure that Global South perspectives, priorities and experience are reflected in the Summit agenda, participant profile, communications and follow-on engagement.

The Coordinator will serve as the operational focal point for ASCEND's involvement in the Summit, helping ensure its contributions are organised, timely, strategic and clearly communicated.

The role covers administrative coordination, stakeholder engagement, programme support, communications liaison and fundraising support.

Job Summary

• Employer: ASCEND
• Job Type: Full-time
• Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
• Category: Project Management
• Salary: R450,000 - R520,000 annual remuneration package, including benefits
• Closing Date: 2026-10-09

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary coordination point for ASCEND within the Summit organising team.
• Respond to requests and enquiries from collaborating partners, including international Summit counterparts.
• Coordinate ASCEND inputs into Summit planning processes, meetings and decision-making spaces.
• Track actions arising from Summit steering, planning and leadership meetings and ensure timely follow-up.
• Support venue-related and operational discussions where required.
• Prepare and coordinate ASCEND inputs into Summit themes, agenda development, speaker identification and session planning.
• Support co-creation of the Summit programme, including scheduling, thematic sessions, networking and social activities.
• Help ensure that the Summit agenda elevates Global South perspectives on climate change and development.
• Support priority themes including climate adaptation, loss and damage, and evidence-based climate solutions.
• Coordinate consultations and inputs from ASCEND partners.
• Supporting identification and engagement of participants, speakers and partners whose expertise aligns with Summit priorities.
• Helping ensure participants reflect diverse Global South perspectives and experiences.
• Facilitating engagement with researchers, practitioners, donors and policy stakeholders across international networks.
• Coordinate communications between ASCEND, other Summit organising partners and communications teams.
• Help coordinate and draft content for social media, websites, newsletters, media engagement, news articles and relevant journal or feature opportunities.
• Support development and alignment of messages about ASCEND's role in the Summit.
• Ensure communications products and timelines are aligned across partners.
• Support documentation of Summit outcomes, lessons and successes.
• Supporting fundraising efforts associated with the Summit.
• Helping identify and engage potential donors, strategic partners and collaborators.
• Coordinating donor engagement opportunities.
• Supporting post-Summit discussions with funders and partners.
• Contributing to identification of future programme and funding opportunities arising from Summit relationships and outcomes.
• Coordinate the capture and dissemination of Summit lessons, outputs and outcomes.
• Support development of impact stories, case studies and knowledge products.
• Facilitate sharing of Summit outcomes across relevant networks and platforms.
• Contribute to post-event reporting and documentation.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in climate change, environmental studies, development studies, international relations, public policy or a related field.
• Experience supporting workshops, conferences, multi-stakeholder events or international convenings.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in project coordination, programme management, event management, stakeholder engagement or a related administrative coordination role.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, including action tracking, scheduling and follow-up.
• Experience working across multiple organisations, partners and stakeholder groups.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines simultaneously.

Salary

R450,000 - R520,000 annual remuneration package, including benefits

How to Apply

Apply by email: mira.blumberg…