The International Press Institute (IPI) is seeking an expert in climate policy to shape and drive IPI’s work advocating for the rights and safety of journalists covering climate and environmental topics and their impact on local communities.
As climate and environmental crises intensify, the need for robust, fact-based journalism to cover these issues and their impact on communities is greater than ever. A free and independent press is essential to raising public awareness, holding governments and businesses to account, and informing meaningful action and policy responses. Yet journalists covering climate and environmental stories face a range of barriers and threats to their work.
For this role, we’re looking for someone with a strong background in climate and environmental policy frameworks and advocacy as well as a deep understanding of the role that the independent press plays in responding to climate and environmental challenges. This person will work with IPI to elevate and champion that role, supporting greater protections for reporters covering these essential stories of local and global importance.
This role will focus on sub-Saharan Africa — where our climate journalism programme is currently situated — but is envisioned as part of a wider global programme on climate and environmental journalism that IPI is currently building.
This individual will:
- Drive, coordinate, and carry out advocacy on the rights and safety of journalists covering climate and environmental issues in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Develop and implement advocacy strategies aimed at strengthening protections for climate and environmental journalists in Africa, identifying key actors and opportunities to influence policies and practices.
- Develop and maintain relationships with key actors, including public authorities, businesses, and relevant regional and global multilateral organizations and mechanisms dealing with climate and environmental protection and/or safety of journalists
- Foster broader multi-stakeholder collaborations and partnerships to advance a safer environment for journalists covering climate and environmental topics.
- Carry out monitoring and research into attacks and threats against journalism, in particular on climate and environmental reporting, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa, identifying key vectors and trends.
- Draft advocacy statements, policy briefs, position statements, and other communications content in response to developments affecting journalists and press freedom, with a focus on environmental and climate reporting.
- Coordinate IPI input to and participation in external processes, events, and fora that can be used to advocate for the rights of journalists covering climate and environmental issues.
- Cultivate, develop, and maintain relationships across civil society groups to broaden the reach of IPI’s work and message and advocate for greater awareness about the specific role journalists play in climate and environmental protection.
- Represent IPI at relevant regional and international fora and events.
A strong candidate for this position will have:
- Substantial advocacy or policy experience in environmental and climate policy and governance, including experience working with multilateral mechanisms dealing with climate and environmental issues.
- A strong understanding of the role that independent journalism plays in covering climate and environmental challenges and crises and their impact on local communities.
- Strong understanding of the impact of climate and environmental change in Africa.
- Ideally, familiarity with the African media landscape and broader press freedom challenges that journalists in Africa face.
- Strong analytical skills with a sharp eye for strategy and messaging.
- Experience developing advocacy plans and in identifying strategic opportunities for engagement at various levels and with diverse stakeholders.
- Familiarity with global and regional human rights protections and mechanisms.
- At least 4-6 years of previous experience in advocacy work in a relevant field. Previous work with non-profit human rights organisations is strongly preferred.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Excellent planning and time management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and requests.
- Exceptional English writing and communication skills. Proficiency in other languages, in particular French and/or Portuguese, is welcome.
IPI understands that qualified candidates come with a mix of valuable skills and experiences. We encourage interested candidates to apply even if you don’t meet all the exact criteria listed here.
Compensation and benefits
- Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
- Flexible working hours and remote work options.
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth within a globally recognized press freedom organization.
- Generous leave package (25 days of leave + additional company leave)
Location
This position is expected to be based in sub-Saharan Africa. Other options may be considered based on a candidate’s circumstances.
Application procedure
IPI encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter. Your cover letter should clearly explain the background and experience that make you a good fit for this role, and what skills, qualities, and strengths you would bring to the position and to IPI.
Applications for this position are being considered on a rolling basis with a final application deadline of December 7, 2026. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible. Application materials should be submitted via email to [email protected].
About IPI
IPI was founded in 1950 by 34 editors from 15 countries who believed in the power of the free flow of information to promote peace. Today it is a global network of editors, journalists and media executives from over 100 countries who share a common dedication to quality, independent journalism. Our members include award-winning journalists, Nobel laureates and editors at some of the most prestigious media outlets around the world. Together we work to promote the conditions that allow journalism to fulfill its public function, the most important of which is the media’s ability to operate free from interference and without fear of retaliation. Our mission is to defend media freedom and support independent journalism wherever they are threatened.