View Vacancy - Climate Change Policy Advisor

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Economic and Prosperity

Main purpose of job

Working to drive forward the UK’s leadership on COP26 across the US

The British Government is seeking a Climate Change Policy Advisor based at our LA office to support the delivery of 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in November 2021. COP26 is described as the most important climate event since the Paris conference in 2015, and engagement across the full US system is vital in achieving the UK’s high ambition for the event.

The role will primarily be responsible for supporting subnational climate engagement with the City of LA, southern California, NV, UT, AZ and HI, engaging on a broad spectrum of sectors across a wide range of stakeholders.

S/he will provide advice and reporting to UK Government departments on local developments in energy and climate policy and how to best deliver our COP26 priorities in the region. The Policy Advisor will support the Consul General in senior level outreach on COP and will also advise and support UK Government representatives at working-level meetings and events. The role will also be responsible for organising visits from UK stakeholders to the region.

The successful candidate will coordinate stakeholder outreach across the region, working with their colleagues at the LA consulate and the broader Energy and Climate Policy Team to identify how best to deliver on the UK’s overarching COP26 objectives. A significant part of this role will entail working on our city-level climate engagement, in alignment with the C40. The role will also involve engaging other relevant interlocutors in the region to help advance our COP26 strategy for the region. S/he will be a self-starter, proactively developing ideas to deliver the UK Government’s COP26 priorities in the region. S/he will also have a proven track-record in working collaboratively in a team-setting.

The job holder will be part of the 9-person Energy & Climate Policy Team, located primarily at the Embassy in DC, with colleagues in San Francisco, Chicago and Houston. The job holder will work closely with the Energy & Environment Policy Advisor based in San Francisco who has overall responsibility for the region. S/he will also work in collaboration with a range of UK government teams at the Embassy, within the LA consulate, and with other offices in the US Network. The job holder will likely need to travel a number of times a year across the region, with possible travel to DC and the UK.


Roles and responsibilities

  • Support the implementation of the UK’s COP26 strategy in the region, working closely with economic, political, prosperity and communications colleagues.
  • Coordinate with London-based colleagues on engagement with the US stakeholders, advising on local sensitivities and priorities; this could including working with the broader team to draft briefing for ministers and senior officials.
  • Use local knowledge to identify regional climate engagement priorities that most effectively meet the UK’s international climate objectives.
  • Support the Consul General in senior COP26 outreach and ensure effective broader outreach in the region through online and in person events, meetings etc,
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships within state and local governments, industry, and non-governmental stakeholders to support COP26 objectives.
  • Monitor and analyse US domestic energy, climate change, and low-carbon policies and initiatives, with a particular focus on subnational actors in the south-western US.
  • With support from the broader team, provide regular high-quality reporting (written and oral) on US developments to inform UK policy and contribute proactively to policy discussions.
  • Design and deliver projects and events to support closer UK-US collaboration on energy and low-carbon developments, particularly in relation to COP26.
  • Advocate British interests with a range of key US interlocutors to promote UK priorities and policy interests
  • Take responsibility for delivering effective visits to the US by UK ministers and senior officials.
  • Minimum of 2 years relevant experience.
  • Ability to work remotely as part of a team spread across 5 offices.
  • A minimum of a bachelor's degree is required; advanced degree desirable, with economic, policy, or environmental focus preferred.
  • Must be able to represent the UK at external meetings.
  • Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues to diverse audiences.
  • Must be a proven self-starter with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, possess excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, and adapt to fast-paced and shifting demands.
  • Knowledge of US energy and environmental stakeholders.
  • Ability and willingness to travel occasionally.

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office.  Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa.  All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. 
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.

  • A background in energy and/or environmental policy,
  • Demonstrated experience in project management and delivery
  • Interest in or knowledge of UK policy strengths and priorities
  • Events management experience
24 September 2020
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term
40
24 months
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Los Angeles
British Consulate General
USD
$26.35
16 November 2020
The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance. 
Staff recruited locally are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with US, state, and/or local employment law.
Individuals who are not a US taxpaying citizen will be paid a net salary based on a simulated US tax status.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
Only successful candidates will be contacted.  Please no phone calls.  Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone.  We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
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This opportunity is closed to applications.