View Vacancy - LAO - Climate Change Policy Officer, B3 (L) / EO

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)
Political

Main purpose of job:

To coordinate UK Government work in Laos to combat Climate Change, including diplomatic action to support the outcomes from the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26).  This position will focus on engagement in Laos within a regional context, with support from colleagues in other SE Asian countries.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

The UK Government champions diplomatic efforts to prevent global climate change. In 2019  the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report concluded that ‘limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require “rapid and far-reaching” transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings, transport, and cities. Global net human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) would need to fall by about 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching ‘net zero’ around 2050.’

As the Co-Presidency of the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26), the UK remains committed to working with the UN and partners, to prevent catastrophic climate change. The UK were pleased with commitments made at COP26 but it is now important that these commitments are implemented. This is critical to safeguard our future.

  • The role will involve lobbying senior officials in the Lao government and raising broader awareness on the risks of climate change among the public and wider stakeholders.   
  • We are looking for a pro-active, engaged individual with a passion for making a difference, and an understanding of the importance of this issue.   

Full responsibilities of the jobholder would be as follows:

  • To promote more effective action to reduce GHG emissions in Laos, including through effective energy and forestry policies, to encourage Laos to increase its overall resilience through improved adaptation policies, and to support other aspects of a transition to a low carbon economy (e.g. green finance). 
  • To report to the Regional Climate Change Policy Officer in Bangkok on engagement with Laos, advising on local sensitivities and priorities, and providing briefing for UK ministers and senior officials.
  • Raising awareness about the risks of climate change in a Laos context.
  • Liaising with senior officials in Laos on policy and operational elements of delivering on their commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050. This will include advising and supporting engagement between senior officials (including the Head of Mission) and Ministers with some translation/interpretation if required.
  • Supporting existing UK programmes to help the government of Laos improve its renewable energy portfolio.
  • Planning and implementing 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 actors.
  • Managing visits and climate events. This could include planning and advising on visit agendas, coordinating with media colleagues, and supporting in events as required.
  •  Ad hoc administration support for projects team.

This is a challenging and exciting opportunity to play an influential role on what may be the most important issue of our lives. The position will initially be in place until 31 December 2022 but with the possibility of an extension. The British Embassy in Vientiane is a small friendly mission committed to diversity and staff development.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • Budget for events and other interventions – size to be confirmed.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, for instance, Public Policy, Public Administration, International Relations, Climate and Environment Science, 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 organizations or agencies, preferably in climate change.
  • Good understanding of international climate change policy.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience of managing diverse and senior level relationships.

Language requirements:

Language: English and Lao

Level of language required:  Fluent written and spoken English essential; fluent written and spoken Lao preferred.

  • Knowledge of financial / budget management principles or previous financial management experience.
  • Knowledge or experience of project management and relevant skills.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the Lao government – in particular the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment or the Ministry of Energy.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
27 May 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
10 months
Asia Pacific
Laos
Vientiane
British Embassy
1
USD
USD 1,642.22
18 July 2022

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, 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.

Embassy Vision and Values:

VISION: What do we want to build?

A better, safer, more prosperous world for Britons and Lao alike.

MISSION: How will we achieve this?

By championing UK values and delivering tangible benefits to individuals, businesses and society: through quality service, effective partnerships and local expertise.

VALUES: that underpin our work

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

The British Embassy Vientiane encourages all staff to develop their capabilities, through both formal training (courses) and informal opportunities (job-shadowing, coaching, on-the-job training etc). The majority of our formal learning and development opportunities are drawn from FCDO resources. All staff are encouraged to share their skills and experience with colleagues, through informal training or coaching/mentoring.

Your application must be submitted before 23:55 Vientiane Time (GMT +7) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”

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

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.

Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

Please check the application centre regularly for any update on your application.

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.