View Vacancy - SRR - Climate and Environment Policy Advisor (HEO)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Climate change, Environment & Sustainability

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Climate and Environment Policy Advisor, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO), on a fixed term contract until 31 March 2025.

The purpose of this job is to track the UK and global debate on climate, and deepen the UK-Saudi partnership on climate and nature. This involves political advocacy and the development and implementation of practical collaboration.

Tackling climate change is a top priority for the UK. UK was the first major economy to legislate for net zero carbon emissions.  It has committed to reducing emissions by over two-thirds by 2030. An effective response to global warming requires a coordinated international response. The UK Integrated Review Refresh (2023) is clear that ‘The UK’s first thematic priority remains tackling climate change, environmental damage, and biodiversity loss, given the urgency of making progress before 2030’. In March 2023, the UK published the 2030 Strategic Framework for International Climate and Nature, outlining how the UK will drive forward international action on climate and nature. The Framework recognises that immediate action on climate and nature is imperative.  Also that climate and nature is integral to UK and global security and prosperity.

 

Duties and responsibilities

The jobholder will be expected to:

  • Track and develop deep expertise on UK and Saudi climate and environment policy, and the wider regional and international climate debate.
  • Advise the British Embassy in Riyadh and UK Government on climate and environment, with specific reference to Saudi Arabia.
  • Advise the British Embassy on how it can continue to mainstream climate and sustainability across the full range of its activity.
  • Identify and support opportunities for UK diplomatic engagement on climate, e.g., Ministerial visits. This is likely to be particularly intense ahead of major international meetings, such as COP28 in UAE later this year.
  • Collaborate with Saudi partners in raising awareness of climate and the environment. Engage civil society, e.g., through public speaking and wider communications activity.
  • Develop and implement practical initiatives to advance UK climate and environment policy. This includes designing and securing UK government funding for projects, and overseeing their implementation.
  • Support and develop existing UK-Saudi environment partnerships, including but not limited to marine environmental protections, meteorological services cooperation and sustainable agriculture.
  • Lead within the embassy on the environmental track of the bilateral strategic partnership, working closely with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and with Saudi Environment Centres.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other tasks as required.

 

Key behaviours required:

  • Leadership - Show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  • Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.

Eligibility:

The position is available to Saudi Nationals and to current holders of valid Saudi residence permits or transferable iqama. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their sponsorship to the British Embassy.

  • Public sector experience for example, in national or regional government, international organisations or other agencies and bodies.
  • Understanding of policy making and/or research and analytical experience.
  • Excellent relationship development and management skills, capable of operating at all organisational levels. Experience of developing relationships and building influence with multiple stakeholders in public and private sectors.
  • Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication. Able to simplify complexities and adapt communication so others can understand.
  • Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure. With a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines.
  • Excellent organisational ability, with proven ability to manage, plan, and prioritise tasks and workload; and a proactive approach to problem solving.
  • Team player who is capable of working on their own initiative and manage others.
  • Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
  • Understanding of international climate change policy, with relevant experience including from university or previous professional work experience.
  • Academic background (i.e., Public Policy, Public Administration, International Relations, Climate and Environment Science, etc.) and/ or professional experience in energy, climate, or conservation.
  • Knowledge or experience of project/programme management and track record of delivering agreed outcomes.
  • Arabic language skills, both written and spoken.
Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing
13 June 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
18 months
Middle East & North Africa
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
British Embassy
1
SAR
18,458
13 August 2023
31 March 2025

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.

Monthly salary details:

  • Base Salary - SAR 14,446
  • Housing Allowance - SAR 3,612 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Travel Allowance - SAR 400 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Total - SAR 18,458

* Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form. Spouses/ Dependents of UKBS officers working at the Embassy are not eligible to Housing or Travel Allowance.

No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

 

This position is full-time, based on 35 hours per week. Normal working hours for the Embassy are from 08:00 to 15:00 from Sunday to Thursday, with core working hours from 10:00-15:00. Core working hours is the period of the day that employees are required to be at work. The working day outside of the core hours is a flexible period, which allows employees to choose when they work, subject to operational needs.

The jobholder will be required to be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evening/ weekend) during visits and events.

The jobholder will have opportunities to benefit from a range of Learning and Development (L&D) initiatives. There is great opportunity for learning and development ‘on the job’. The jobholder will also be required to undertake a number of mandatory training courses as part of their role.

The International Academy (IA) is the home of L&D for the FCDO. It covers a wide range of essential as well as job-specific subjects; and is designed to ensure that all staff can access high quality learning products. The jobholder will also have access to the FCDO’s Diplomatic Academy. Our staff are given responsibility and autonomy (and support), allowing them to develop skills and confidence through delivery.

 

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period.

Application process:

Interested candidates must include in their online application form

1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV);

2) a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and

3) specific examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours/ skills required.

Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (KSA local time) on 13 June 2023.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.


Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step in the recruitment process will be contacted.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

The start date mentioned in the advert is an assumed start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances, medical clearance and reference checks.

 

 

The British Embassy Riyadh is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy is subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Saudi Arabia employment law.

 

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.