Department: TechnicalEmployment Type: Contract / TempLocation: AfricaReporting To: Project Lead – Bulk Materials StrategyDescriptionAllied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.High-Level OverviewOur client is an international organisation developing a regional strategy to support the decarbonisation of bulk materials used across the built environment – specifically cement, steel, and construction chemicals. The strategy requires strong engineering credibility, robust process-level analysis, and realistic assessments of industrial constraints and opportunities across emerging markets.The client is seeking a Senior Technical Advisor (STA) to serve as the technical lead for the assessment and decarbonisation of these three sectors. The STA will review, validate, and elevate sector analyses produced by a Research & Coordination Analyst (RCA), beginning with a near-complete cement baseline, followed by steel and chemicals. The STA ensures that technical assumptions, emissions profiles, materials flows, and process descriptions are scientifically accurate, industry-grounded, and aligned with feasible pathways for decarbonisation.This role focuses on high-value senior expertise: interpreting LCAs, reviewing production routes, shaping decarbonisation pathways, validating assumptions with targeted expert interviews, and producing engineering-quality inputs for the final strategy. It does not include administrative work or first-pass research.Role and ResponsibilitiesRole: Senior Technical Advisor – Bulk Materials Decarbonisation Strategy Direct Report: Project Lead – Bulk Materials StrategyCandidates Required: 1Key Deliverables Technical Strengthening & Review (Primary Responsibility) Conduct deep review of all baseline research developed by the Research & Coordination Analyst (RCA). Correct, refine, and elevate sector assessments for cement, steel, and construction chemicals. Ensure datasets, factsheets, and sector profiles are accurate, representative, and triangulated. Provide explicit quality control and manage all technical assumptions. Identify and flag analytical gaps, inconsistencies, or misinterpretations. Sector Engineering & Material Science Analysis Develop engineering descriptions of production processes for cement kilns, EAF/BOF steelmaking, and bulk chemical production. Provide detailed costing data including material cost structures, OPEX, energy intensity, fuel switching, substitution options, and efficiency levers. Prepare high-level cost curves and marginal abatement insights where appropriate. Develop emissions baselines and identify key drivers of carbon intensity and abatement potential. Map material flows and identify substitution opportunities. Standards, Codes & Testing Systems Analyse building codes, materials standards, and testing protocols relevant to cementitious materials, aggregates, rebar, structural steel, and chemical admixtures. Identify technical bottlenecks and propose realistic reform opportunities. Evaluate testing laboratory capability, certification systems, and institutional readiness. Stakeholder Engagement & Validation (Capped Time Allocation) Conduct 5-10 targeted interviews per sector (cement, steel, construction chemicals), each capped at 30 minutes. Conduct an additional 4-6 validation interviews for emerging or final strategy insights. Coordinate closely with the RCA to ensure all logistics and note-taking are delegated. Use interviews exclusively to validate assumptions-not to gather raw data. Pathway Development & Scenario Analysis Develop realistic, technically grounded decarbonisation pathways for cement, steel, and chemical sectors. Identify enabling conditions across energy, transport, skills, testing capacity, and policy. Provide inputs into feasible 0-2 year and 2-5 year implementation scenarios Technical Documentation & Steering Support Produce engineering notes, costing tables, technical annexes, and supporting materials. Support preparation of Steering Committee briefing materials. Attend remote review meetings and provide written clarifications as required. RequirementsExperience Required: Minimum 15 years’ experience in cement, steel, chemicals, construction materials, industrial engineering, or materials science. Advanced Materials & Industrial Engineering Expertise – Strong understanding of industrial production routes, material flows, and decarbonisation levers for cement, steel, and chemicals; ability to interpret lifecycle assessments (LCAs) and validate assumptions across multiple process pathways. Standards, Codes & Testing Systems – Experience assessing building codes, materials standards, testing laboratories, and certification regimes. Costing, Emissions & Abatement Analysis – Ability to generate high-level costing inputs, emissions baselines, and credible abatement insights for scenario development. Analytical Review & Quality Control – Demonstrated experience reviewing and elevating the work of junior analysts; ensuring analytical rigor without performing first-pass researchTechnical RequirementsAdvanced degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field Familiarity with LCA principles, emissions modelling, and energy/material flow analysis Ability to produce engineering-grade documentation, annexes, and technical notes Strong capacity for data interpretation and technical validationOther SkillsStrong analytical judgement and attention to detail Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex engineering concepts clearly Ability to understand regulatory, institutional, and political economy dynamics and apply insights across multiple geographies High reliability and responsiveness during project-critical periods Collaborative, professional approach to interacting with multidisciplinary team Experience supporting industrial decarbonisation in Africa or other emerging markets. Working ArrangementLocation: Fully remote Travel: None anticipatedTerms Of AgreementStart Date: January 2026Contracting Period: ~50–60 days over 4 months, with optional 1-month extension