View Vacancy - Political Attaché 11/18 PTA

Main purpose of job:

To manage the British High Commission’s work on the Illegal Wildlife Trade and climate change in South Africa – providing high-quality analysis and policy advice on developments in South Africa and delivering related programme work in line with the UK’s bilateral objectives in South Africa.

Roles and responsibilities:

• This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of the Political Section at the British High Commission. This is a high profile policy position, requiring a self-starter with a background in environmental issues, with a particular focus on the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and climate change issues. The job holder should also have a good grasp of the wider economic and political context and international agenda and be prepared to coordinate our bilateral cooperation in all these areas, through the Foreign Minister-led Bilateral Forum. 
• Tackling the Illegal Wildlife Trade is a personal priority of the Foreign Secretary. With the London Conference on IWT taking place in October this year, this job will offer a unique opportunity to contribute to this important agenda and shape our engagement with South Africa, which is a key partner and an IWT priority country. This job will offer a high level of exposure to senior colleagues as the Conference approaches, as well as influencing UK policymaking. The jobholder will need to develop a network and engage proactively and creatively with Government, NGOs and civil society, as well as business to inform UK policy and influence South African stakeholders. The jobholder will be expected to identify and implement small programmes to support policy objectives. 
• In addition, the job holder will be expected to monitor and provide written reports on climate change, energy and wider environmental developments in South Africa, in close collaboration with colleagues in the High Commission’s Prosperity and Political Teams, Media team, Department for International Development as well as the High Commissioner. The jobholder will also work with UK’s Department for International Trade, in order to create opportunities for the UK on low carbon, and to help deliver projects in this area. The job involves regular liaison with colleagues in London, in order to provide policy and handling advice on UK/South Africa climate and energy matters. 
• The job holder should also have an interest in wider foreign affairs issues. The team is looking for an individual who is a proactive self starter and inquisitive to learn about new issues affecting the world. The job holder should be willing to adapt to new challenges and deliver under pressure, as a part of a diverse team. 
• Political Section is a hard working but friendly team who strive for a good work life balance. However, applicants for this job need to be aware that the nature of the work sometimes involves travel and out of hours work, for which time off in lieu can be claimed.

Outline of specific roles and responsibilities:

• Lead policy officer on the Illegal Wildlife Trade. Monitor, analyse, influence and report on South Africa’s efforts to tackle IWT developments and be able to report on these developments in a clear and concise way. Drive forward high level engagement with Government, civil society, business, parliament and media contacts. Lead on UK IWT policy formulation and implementation at the High Commission, including through policy documents, briefings and delivery of official visits from the UK.
• Lead policy officer on climate change and energy issues in South Africa, monitoring and analysing developments and drive forward high level engagement on the low carbon economic transition with Government, civil society and private sector contacts. 
• Shape and help deliver British High Commission small projects on IWT, climate change and energy, working with colleagues in our Prosperity team. Identify and prime suitable projects for funding, through reaching out to civil society and business. Create opportunities for using projects to maximise UK visibility. 
• As a member of the Political Team, he/she will also be fully involved with the day to day tasks of bilateral diplomacy including monitoring developments, organising events and programmes for visiting Ministers and officials, interacting with DIRCO and other Government ministries, as well as other diplomatic missions. A number of corporate tasks are also shared across the team.

• Degree or equivalent in conservation, climate change, energy and/or sustainable development
• Ability to work in fast-paced policy environment