Industrial decarbonisation in Africa

ECOS is undertaking a project “How can standards be best used to restart the engine of industrial decarbonisation?” aimed at assessing the links, opportunities, and bottlenecks for standards to support the delivery of national, regional, and international efforts towards decarbonisation of industries and, in particular, targeting construction materials: cement, concrete, and steel. The implementation of this project has a global focus, evaluating standards within the African region, Europe and international standards.  

Project objectives

The overall objective of the project is to provide concrete guidance and recommendations for standards and labelling schemes, and their interaction with legislation, based on a strategic analysis of the interaction of policies and laws, standards, and labelling schemes, for faster industrial decarbonisation.  

Expert profile:

Environmentally ambitious policies and standards are needed to ensure that the construction boom in Africa will serve as a key driver for the uptake of low-carbon construction materials, compatible with a climate neutral future. We are therefore looking for experts to help us secure an ambitious and effective decarbonisation pathway for the future concrete and steel value chain. 

Interested candidates should be able to demonstrate in-depth technical and scientific knowledge on one or more of the following areas: 

• Technologies and processes for the production and supply of cement and concrete and/or substituting materials, such as bio-based materials.
• Circularity building materials (cement and steel) including fostering use of secondary raw materials tailored to the local context and industries.
• Cement and steel material innovations (e.g., new recipes for low-carbon cement).
• International, regional and national buildings codes and standards concerning the production of construction materials and/or the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure using concrete, steel and/or alternative materials.
• National and/or regional policies relevant to the development of national/regional standards on construction materials.
• National and/or regional policies in relation to the green public procurement of construction materials (e.g. addressing GHG emissions reduction or circularity) including their interaction with whole-life carbon requirements).
• Design-related methods relevant to regional construction materials and procurement practices (e.g. material efficiency, material substitution, design for disassembly, adaptability). 

Scope of the assignment for selected experts:

• Overview of standards and labelling schemes for relevant sectors in selected geographies, regional and sectoral similarities and differences
• Mapping impactful standards and labelling schemes (notably those based on ISO type I and type III labelling categories) and their interaction with other industry-led classification systems (e.g. World Steel Association, the Global Cement and Concrete Association). 
• Interactions (coherence and contradictions) between global commitments, policy and legal incentives, and market instruments including formal standards and voluntary labelling schemes.
• Identification of drivers and blockages for decarbonisation in policies and standards within the region. 
• Assessment of areas within governance structures and processes that need reform or additional support to more effectively design and implement science-based policies and standards that are fair and inclusive.

In line with our internal policies, we seek to collaborate with experts that are independent from commercial interests. Therefore, we urge all interested expert(s) to flag any potential conflicts of interests when applying.

Given the geographical focus, we in encourage applications from expert(s) based in or with experience in one of the target countries/ regions (Kenya and East Africa, Southern Africa Region).

ECOS offers:

Depending on the specific assignments, we foresee:

• A lump sum for the delivery of this assignment which will cover desktop research and a report.
  If relevant, a daily fee for preparation of meetings, participation and reporting, as well as other relevant tasks.
• Reimbursement of travel costs in line with ECOS travel policy and project requirements.
• Per diem to cover accommodation and subsistence costs.

How to apply:

Send your CV and cover letter indicating relevant areas of expertise according to the above, outlining your motivation, and demonstrating your suitability to support and represent ECOS to marxine.waite@ecostandard.org by 12 August 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.