Grad Gallery: Dr Najma Mohamed

LinkedIn: bit.ly/3tHF8Af

Current position:

Policy Director: Green Economy Coalition in London

Past positions:

Green Jobs Programme Officer at International Labour Organisation

Policy Advisor: Green Fund at Development Bank of Southern Africa

Lecturer and Course Coordinator at Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies

Academic history:

2011 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Curriculum Studies, specialising in Environmental Ethics and Transformative Environmental Education at Stellenbosch University

1998 Master of Science in Environmental and Geographical Science at UCT

1995 Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental and Geographical Science at UCT

1994 Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Geographical Science at UCT

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How did you obtain your current position?

I applied for the position which I saw advertised on LinkedIn. I had interacted with the organisation in the years before joining and identified a strong alignment with their vision and work.

What do your day-to-day responsibilities look like?

I work in the global secretariat of the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest civil society movement inspiring and working for just transitions to green and fair economies. At the GEC, I lead the policy work programme on the supply and advocacy of green economy policy, practices and institutions that guide green and inclusive transformations. My day often involves liaising with team members, global and national partners on projects we are implementing jointly, and at times convening policy workshops and representing GEC in global and national policy forums. In addition to regular team meetings, I allocate some of my day to dealing with email correspondence with partners, as well as policy research and writing.

What value do your qualifications add to your work, directly or indirectly?

My qualifications directly relate to my work as it provides the foundation for understanding the socio-ecological system, the dependence of our economies, societies and communities on nature and the policies, institutions and practices that can support the creation of a just, sustainable and climate resilient economy and society. It also established my commitment to integrating community and citizen voices, values and priorities in green policies and practices.

What are the key skills that have contributed to your success so far?

A willingness to learn and grow, respect for all knowledge and perspectives and deep listening.

What advice would you give to graduates entering your field of work?

Develop a deep commitment to social, environment and climate justice and an awareness of the intertwined and systemic challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change and inequality; coupled with a willingness to engage in advocacy needed to shift narratives, reform policies and restructure governance and institutional processes.

What impact has COVID-19 had on your career and industry?

Much of my interaction with national and global partners was already online, but now team meetings and also in-person meetings with partners, including annual meetings have either taken place online or have been postponed. Partners no longer engage in community research and advocacy, as this has had to go online or be postponed. And many of the key international policy processes on climate and nature, which are key policy advocacy moments, have also been postponed or been held online.

How do you see your role as Policy Director evolving in the next few years?

I would like to strike the balance between deepening the policy analysis and advocacy work, programme management and supporting the external impact and visibility of the GEC. I want to help establish new connections and collaborations with key organisations, particularly civil society, academia and social movements in the global South. Further, I hope to support the expansion of collaborations that bridge the inequality and green economy agendas, and develop my thought leadership and activism on inclusive policies, institutions and practices that advance social, climate and environmental justice.

Develop a deep commitment to social, environment and climate justice.