About IISD

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with more than 30 years of experience working to solve today's greatest sustainable development challenges. We combine deep expertise across critical policy areas with a collaborative approach to research, advice, and hands-on support that delivers real-world results. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we are a diverse team of over 300 experts working from offices in Canada and Switzerland as well as other locations around the world.

The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), hosted by IISD, is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to improving mining governance for sustainable development. Through policy advice, technical assistance, capacity building, and international dialogue, the IGF supports more than 85 member countries in maximizing the contribution of mining to sustainable development.

Scope

The IGF is seeking a Government Relations Coordinator – Africa to lead government engagement and partnerships across the African region.

Working closely with the Director, Government Relations Lead, and technical teams, the successful candidate will strengthen relationships with African member governments, coordinate access to IGF technical assistance and capacity-building activities, develop strategic partnerships, and contribute to expanding IGF's visibility and impact across Africa.

The successful candidate will serve as the primary relationship manager for African member countries and key regional partners, ensuring that governments and strategic partners receive timely, coordinated, and high-quality engagement and support aligned with IGF's strategic priorities.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategies to engage, re-engage, and expand IGF membership across Africa.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with member governments, focal points, regional organizations, and development partners.
• Coordinate government requests for technical assistance and facilitate communication between governments and IGF technical teams.
• Coordinate African participation in the Annual General Meeting (AGM), Executive Committee activities, regional events, and bilateral meetings.
• Organize and coordinate consultations with member countries on IGF governance matters, including Executive Committee elections, governance reforms, and other strategic initiatives.
• Prepare briefing notes, engagement reports, country profiles, and regional analyses.
• Develop strategic partnerships and support fundraising and donor engagement.
• Represent the IGF at regional and international meetings and conferences.
• Collaborate with technical, communications, and project management teams to ensure coordinated delivery of IGF activities.
• Maintain government engagement records and contribute to monitoring and reporting.

The successful candidate will receive a detailed Terms of Reference outlining the full scope of responsibilities.

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• A Master degree or postgraduate degree in international relations, political science, public administration, law, public policy, sustainable development, mining governance, or another relevant discipline.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, diplomacy, stakeholder engagement, international development, or public policy.
• Experience working with governments, regional organizations, or multilateral institutions, preferably in Africa.
• Experience coordinating international meetings, technical assistance, or capacity-building initiatives.
• Excellent organizational, planning and project management skills.

Desirable

• Experience working on mining governance or sustainable development.
• Experience working with African regional organizations or development finance institutions.
• Experience supporting donor engagement and resource mobilization.

Skills, Competencies, and Attributes

Essential

• Excellent relationship-building and diplomacy skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
• Strong political judgment and cultural awareness.
• Excellent IT skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)

Languages

• Excellent written and spoken English and French.
• Portuguese and/or Arabic are strong assets.
• Knowledge of additional African languages is an asset.

Position Details

Location: Remote within Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa or Uganda

Candidates must hold an appropriate work authorization for locations where they expect to be based, without any sponsorship from IISD.

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience and location

Type of employment: Full time

Job Type: Replacement

Application deadline: August 31, 2026, 4PM CST

Start Date: Immediate opportunity

• Develop and implement strategies to engage, re-engage, and expand IGF membership across Africa.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with member governments, focal points, regional organizations, and development partners.
• Coordinate government requests for technical assistance and facilitate communication between governments and IGF technical teams.
• Coordinate African participation in the Annual General Meeting (AGM), Executive Committee activities, regional events, and bilateral meetings.
• Organize and coordinate consultations with member countries on IGF governance matters, including Executive Committee elections, governance reforms, and other strategic initiatives.
• Prepare briefing notes, engagement reports, country profiles, and regional analyses.
• Develop strategic partnerships and support fundraising and donor engagement.
• Represent the IGF at regional and international meetings and conferences.
• Collaborate with technical, communications, and project management teams to ensure coordinated delivery of IGF activities.
• Maintain government engagement records and contribute to monitoring and reporting.

• Excellent relationship-building and diplomacy skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
• Strong political judgment and cultural awareness.
• Excellent IT skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)

• A Master degree or postgraduate degree in international relations, political science, public administration, law, public policy, sustainable development, mining governance, or another relevant discipline.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, diplomacy, stakeholder engagement, international development, or public policy.
• Experience working with governments, regional organizations, or multilateral institutions, preferably in Africa.
• Experience coordinating international meetings, technical assistance, or capacity-building initiatives.
• Excellent organizational, planning and project management skills.
• Experience working on mining governance or sustainable development.
• Experience working with African regional organizations or development finance institutions.
• Experience supporting donor engagement and resource mobilization.