View Vacancy - Climate and Environment Intern, Colombo

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)
Chancery

Please note that due to Covid-19 outbreak, the start date of employment mentioned in the advert is tentative. All recruitment campaigns will remain open for applications and we will progress the recruitment process as swiftly as possible. We will be in touch with you for the interviews/ should there be further updates on the application. However, under the given circumstances, kindly expect some delay in response. Please reach out to if you have any further questions.

Main purpose of the job:

To help coordinate British High Commission Colombo’s work to combat Climate Change in Sri Lanka and the region, including action to support delivery of campaign priorities relating to the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) to be hosted in Glasgow November 2021.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Support the Head of Prosperity and Prosperity Officer to coordinate the implementation of the High Commission’s COP26 strategy for Sri Lanka, working closely with wider departmental colleagues at the mission. This will include ensuring that delivery of COP26 objectives supports long-term decarbonisation, and resilience & adaptation objectives in Sri Lanka, including clean growth, energy transition, transport, decarbonisation, nature-based solutions and access to green finance. (40%)
  • Coordination of COP26 activities with colleagues working across the UK’s network in Sri Lanka, in particular, Department for International Trade(DIT) and the British Council. (20%)
  • Coordinate with Whitehall colleagues on engagement with Sri Lanka on COP and climate issues. (15%)
  • Liaise with officials in the Sri Lankan government (e.g. Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Foreign Relations) on operational (and some policy) elements of delivering COP26. (5%)
  • Coordinate and liaise with Sri Lankan stakeholders (other than government) working on COP26 negotiations; (15%)
  • Provide the assistance to manage visits from the UK related to COP26 and climate events in Sri Lanka. This could include planning and advising on visit agendas, coordinating with media colleagues, and supporting in events as required. (5%)

Learning and development opportunities:

The Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office is committed to provide learning and development opportunities to all its employees, including:

Formal in-house and external trainings:

  1. Coaching, mentoring and job shadowing.
  2. Structured learning on the job, including stretching objectives and work.
  3. Potential field visits to project deliverables, and attendance to regional conferences.
  4. Online training

Specific to this role, there will be opportunities to attend specific UK Government course on climate change and energy policy.

Language requirements:

Language: Fluent written and spoken English and Sinhala/Tamil

Level of language required: Fluent

Other skills / experience / qualifications:

Essential on arrival:  

  • Experience (educational or practical) in a relevant field, for instance Climate and Environment Science, etc.
  • Understanding of international climate change and environmental work/policy, with relevant experience including from university, college or previous professional work experience.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience of project delivery.



Desirable:  

  • Bachelor’s Degree
Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace
21 March 2021
Internship
Fixed Term, Full-time
36
12 months
South Asia & Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
Colombo
British High Commission
1
LKR
Stipend: LKR 50000
30 April 2021

Stipend: LKR 50,000 per month.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks.

The BHC is recognized as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system. The High Commission takes pride in its organisational culture and its strong and diverse team. We offer leave entitlements as per Sri Lankan labour laws.

We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.

Working patterns:

 This job requires full-time office presence as standard; ad hoc flexible working possible with Line Manager’s approval.

Please note that applications will only be considered with (a) and (b):

(a) Complete the Online Application Form

(b) Complete the Motivation Segment in the Online Application Form

We will accept only online applications received by ­­midnight on 21st March 2021 (Sri Lanka Standard Time).

  • Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with. However, the status will be updated on the recruitment software which will be viewed by the applicant.
  • The appointment will be subject to police and other checks including references, educational and professional.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed.

Other information:

Those who advance in the selection process will be interviewed based on the competencies above.

Only electronic applications will be accepted.

NOTE:

  • The British High Commission in Colombo is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
  • Staff recruited locally by The British High Commission in Colombo is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.
  • The successful candidate will be subject to reference checking and security clearances checks.
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.