How to apply for Women Building Power for Climate Justice Lead

About WoMin

WoMin is a unique African ecofeminist alliance that has been fighting since 2013 to expose how extractive industries harm peasant and working-class women, while building women-led alternatives. Unlike mainstream NGOs, WoMin is rooted in movement-building and Pan-African solidarity, making it a powerful platform for anyone committed to climate justice and feminist organising. Working here means being part of a radical, women-centred challenge to the dominant development model.

About the role

As the Women Building Power for Climate Justice Lead, you will drive WoMin’s climate justice programme, focusing on resisting false green energy solutions like gas and oil in West Africa and advancing climate reparations and energy commons. You will lead a team, support women-led organising, and help shape an African ecofeminist movement that centres women’s voices and alternatives. This is a high-impact role for someone who wants to translate ecofeminist politics into concrete campaigns and movement strength.

A typical day

Your day might start with a strategy call with WoMin’s WCJ team to plan a campaign against a new gas project, followed by drafting a solidarity statement with West African partners. Later, you might mentor a local women’s group on advocacy tactics, then review research on climate reparations to inform upcoming policy briefs. Expect a mix of high-level strategy, hands-on support, and constant communication across time zones.

Who WoMin is looking for

• Deep understanding of ecofeminist and Pan-African political analysis, with experience applying these frameworks to climate and energy issues in Africa.
• Proven track record in strategic leadership and team management within social movements or NGOs, ideally in West Africa and on extractives or climate justice.
• Strong experience in campaign design, grassroots organising, and alliance-building with women’s groups, peasants, and mining-affected communities.
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills in both French and English, with the ability to represent WoMin in diverse forums and media.

Tips for this application

• Demonstrate your grasp of WoMin’s ecofeminist and post-extractivist politics by explicitly linking your experience to their critique of false green energy solutions, especially gas and oil in West Africa.
• Highlight any direct experience working with women-led organising or movements in Francophone West Africa, as the role is remote but context-specific.
• Show that you can lead strategically while also being hands-on in campaign support—WoMin values both vision and practical solidarity.
• Use examples of how you have built alliances or coalitions across different countries or sectors, reflecting WoMin’s Pan-African approach.
• If you have engaged with climate reparations or energy commons, mention it—even if not central, it shows alignment with WoMin’s broader agenda.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your personal commitment to ecofeminist and Pan-African politics, and why WoMin’s mission resonates with your own journey.', 'Concrete achievements in leading climate justice or women’s organising campaigns, especially those challenging extractives or false solutions.', 'Your ability to work remotely and collaboratively across Francophone West Africa, with sensitivity to local contexts and movement dynamics.', 'How you would strengthen WoMin’s WCJ programme, including ideas for supporting women-led energy alternatives and climate reparations advocacy.']

Research before applying

• Read WoMin’s published reports, especially those on extractives and women’s rights, to understand their analysis and campaign priorities.
• Familiarise yourself with the concept of ‘false green energy solutions’ and current debates around gas and oil in West Africa, including key actors and resistance efforts.
• Research other African ecofeminist and climate justice movements to see how WoMin collaborates and differentiates itself.
• Look into WoMin’s structure and recent campaigns to understand their movement-building approach and how this role fits into their broader strategy.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you apply ecofeminist and Pan-African analysis to design a campaign against gas and oil extraction in West Africa?
• Describe a time you led a team through a complex campaign or organising effort—what was your strategy and what did you learn?
• What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for building an African women’s movement for climate justice today?
• How would you engage with women in mining-affected communities to ensure their leadership in WoMin’s work?
• Can you give an example of how you’ve built alliances with other organisations or movements to advance climate justice?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using generic language about ‘sustainability’ or ‘empowerment’ without grounding it in WoMin’s specific ecofeminist and anti-extractivist politics.
• Failing to demonstrate understanding of the West African context, especially Francophone countries, and the realities of women in mining-affected communities.
• Presenting yourself as a lone expert rather than a collaborative movement-builder—WoMin values solidarity and collective leadership.