View Vacancy - Climate Change, Environment & Energy Officer (AUT22.591)

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.
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Political

The British Embassy in Vienna is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is looking for a Climate Change, Environment & Energy Officer. 

The successful candidate will shape the Embassy’s profile as a local leader on climate action and Net Zero and coordinate the Embassy’s work in support of all climate, environment, bio-diversity and energy-related business, including on energy security (in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine) and the decarbonisation of energy supplies.  Delivering best in class insight and analysis on domestic climate and energy developments in Austria, this role presents an opportunity to connect with wide-ranging stakeholders, driving forward the UK-Austria bilateral relationship on climate, environment, bio-diversity and energy.  

Duties will vary but will include organising diplomatic action that sets high ambition for the delivery of bilateral climate and energy goals, UK objectives in relation to the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (known as COP), actively supporting the Embassy’s Corporate Climate Action agenda via the work of the Vienna Green Team, and participating in the work of the Climate and Energy Network in the FCDO’s regional Central European Network (CEN).  Highlights will include: leading on the delivery of public diplomacy events; strengthening relationships with relevant stakeholders; supporting lobbying efforts, visits and social media profiling of the Embassy’s climate and energy work; and engaging collaboratively with colleagues from across the Embassy – in particular colleagues in the Department for International Trade and the Science and Innovation Network – to deliver green growth objectives in partnership with the business and research communities. The policy environment is dynamic and evolving and will require resilience and flexibility. In return, we offer an inclusive workplace culture where individuals and teams thrive.  


Roles and responsibilities: 

Working in the political section of the Embassy the job-holder will support the work of the wider embassy (including the UK’s multilateral missions) on the UK’s climate and energy agenda.  Specifically you will be responsible for:

  • Coordinating and leading on the implementation of the Embassy’s Climate and Energy strategy working closely with economic, political, prosperity, Science and Innovation Network (SIN) and communications colleagues, including those from across the FCDO’s Central European Network (CEN) and DACH group (Austria, Germany & Switzerland). This will include ensuring that ambitious climate and energy transition and diversification objectives underpin long-term energy independence from Russia, decarbonisation, resilience and adaptation strategies in Austria and the wider CEN region through initiatives spanning a wide range of sectors: clean growth, clean tech, energy transition, transport and industrial decarbonisation, nature-based solutions and green finance etc;
  • Support coordination with Whitehall colleagues on engagement with Austria, advising on local sensitivities and Austrian priorities; including feeding into briefing for ministers and senior officials;
  • Support liaison with officials in the Austrian government (in the Federal Chancellery, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Climate Ministry etc) on policy developments and initiatives. This will include advising and supporting engagement between senior officials (including Heads of Mission) and Ministers;
  • Support the planning and implementation of engagement with non-Government actors.  This will include building relationships with working level contacts in sub-national authorities (cities, states, provinces), representatives of businesses, and civil society (including representatives of think-tanks and NGOs);
  • Manage Ministerial and official visits from the UK related to climate diplomacy events in Austria. This could include planning and advising on visit agendas, coordinating with media colleagues, and supporting events as required, including those that support the climate agenda of other British Embassies across the CEN region;
  • Liaise with colleagues from across the FCDO’s CEN Network, feeding in and learning from examples of best practice, assessing opportunities for joint regional events; 
  • Provide support to the UK’s multilateral missions (UKMis and UKDel) as required;
  • Support the work of the political section as need requires, and take on corporate responsibilities within the wider embassy as required, eg crisis.


Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

  • There are no formal line management responsibilities.  However, the role comes with significant opportunity to lead and drive UK-Austria bilateral relations working with a full range of staff including the Ambassador.  
  • Advising upon, developing and submitting project bids (and subsequently managing spend) will be a key part of the role.

Essential on arrival:

  • Full professional proficiency in English and German (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
  • Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, for instance, Climate and Environmental Science, Climate Diplomacy, Public Policy, Public Administration, International Relations etc;
  • A minimum of 2+ years of experience working for an organisation in a relevant field, for example, working for/with national or regional government, international organisations or agencies, preferably in affairs relating to climate and energy; 
  • Strong understanding of international climate change policy, with relevant experience including from university or previous professional work experience;
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
  • Experience of managing diverse and senior level relationships.

Would be an advantage: 

  • Knowledge of financial / budget management principles or previous financial management experience; 
  • Knowledge or experience of project management and relevant skills. 
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
18 December 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
24 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Austria
Vienna
British Embassy
1
EUR
3987
1 February 2022

This is a country based staff position in the British Embassy Vienna; it is not a diplomatic designated position. The position is subject to the terms and conditions of British Embassy employees.

This is a full-time (35 hours per week- candidates can have the flexibility to reduce working until a minimum of 80%) fixed term contract.  Working hours are flexible and staff are entitled to time-off-in-lieu for extra hours worked. The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per year pro rata increasing to 30 days annually after 5 years of service. The Embassy also enjoys 14 Austrian / UK public holidays per year and we are committed to ensuring a work / life balance.

The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background check and security clearance. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they are legally able to work in Austria. The Embassy is not able to assist with any visa or sponsorship arrangements.

The monthly salary will be € 3987 gross, payable 14 times a year. Please note that UK nationals will receive their salary net, minus the deduction of an equivalent level of Austrian (UK) tax retained at source. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process. All other nationals will receive paid their salary minus social insurance deductions and are expected to comply with Austrian tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Austrian authorities.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions service according to Austrian employment law.

Visa / Passport requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Austria and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

  • Compulsory online training courses include Diversity and Inclusion, data protection, safeguarding and security. 
  • Additional online courses offered via the UK Diplomatic Academy on Programme Delivery, Leadership and Management, Corporate Skills and on Europe and the UK government.    
  • The British Embassy has an active L&D Committee and offers a wide range of in-house training and funding for external training on policy and programme work.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

FCDO does not pay for travel related expense incurred in interviews (including Security Check) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or reschedule costs. The FCDO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

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.