SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Climate Change Policy Analysts

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Climate Advisor
  • Climate Analyst
  • Climate and Energy Program Associate
  • Climate Economist
  • Environmental Policy Analyst
  • Policy Analyst
  • Policy Associate
  • Policy Research Associate

What do Climate Change Policy Analysts do?

A Climate Change Policy Analyst is a professional who specializes in evaluating, developing, and advocating for policies aimed at addressing climate change and its environmental impacts. These analysts examine the scientific, economic, and social dimensions of climate issues to provide informed recommendations to governments, organizations, and stakeholders. They often work with data related to greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy technologies, and climate adaptation strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of current policies and propose new initiatives. Additionally, Climate Change Policy Analysts engage in research, conduct impact assessments, and promote awareness and action on climate-related challenges. Their work is crucial in shaping strategies that aim to mitigate climate change effects and promote sustainable practices for future generations.

What the work actually is

  • Provide analytical support for policy briefs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, or climate change.
  • Propose new or modified policies involving use of traditional and alternative fuels, transportation of goods, and other factors relating to climate and climate change.
  • Prepare study reports, memoranda, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform government or environmental groups on environmental issues, such as climate change.
  • Analyze and distill climate-related research findings to inform legislators, regulatory agencies, or other stakeholders.
  • Make legislative recommendations related to climate change or environmental management, based on climate change policies, principles, programs, practices, and processes.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities

  • Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Knowledge

  • Law and Government Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Master's degree
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral degree

A normal week

  • Getting Information
  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Analytical or scientific software Community Climate System Model CCSM · Grid analysis and display system GrADS · SAS · The MathWorks MATLAB
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Object or component oriented development software C++ · Perl · Python · R
  • Development environment software Formula translation/translator FORTRAN · Interface definition language IDL · NCAR Command Language NCL · Unidata Network common data form NetCDF
  • Geographic information system ESRI ArcGIS software · Geographic information system GIS systems

Tools

  • Scanners Computer data input scanners
  • High end computer servers High-performance cluster HPC computers
  • Mainframe computers
  • Notebook computers Laptop computers
  • Laser printers Computer laser printers

Who it suits

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Climate Change Policy Analysts earn in South Africa?

Climate Change Policy Analysts salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Climate Change Policy Analysts do?

Provide analytical support for policy briefs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, or climate change, Propose new or modified policies involving use of traditional and alternative fuels, transportation of goods, and other factors relating to climate and climate change and Prepare study reports, memoranda, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform government or environmental groups on environmental issues, such as climate change.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.