View Vacancy - Senior Policy Advisor, Climate & Energy
Main purpose of job:
The British Government’s Embassy in Washington DC has an exciting opportunity for a proactive and driven person to join the Climate & Energy Team as a Senior Policy Advisor focused on energy transitions and energy security. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, working at the forefront of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally.
The British Embassy offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible. In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.
This is a chance to directly contribute to the way in which both Governments collaborate and negotiate on a broad range of climate, energy and environmental issues. This is a senior position within Climate and Energy team. The job holder will design and oversee a programme of work, manage a small team, and direct a much wider network of officials across the US. The job holder will need to be creative in finding opportunities for UK influence, skilful in advocating UK priorities and effective in driving implementation. The successful candidate will have a sophisticated understanding of international and domestic US climate and energy policy and significant experience engaging across the political spectrum on energy issues. They will be a credible interlocutor with senior contacts in the US Administration, Congress, NGOs and the business community; and have ideas for how to develop and foster UK-US collaboration on this agenda, bringing benefits for the UK national interest and economy.
This is an exciting time for the UK as a world leader on climate action. The UK is currently COP26 President, after hosting the conference in November 2021. Climate is listed as a top international issue for the UK in our Integrated Review. Energy security and the energy transition is a top priority for the UK as we seek to increase energy independence and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
The ideal candidate will be a creative thinker, strong leader and confident interlocutor. The candidate will be able to set a clear strategic direction whilst responding to internal and external change. They will be a strong team player, happy to step in and support others as needed and keen to support the development of their team members. Ideally the candidate would have a background in US and/or international energy policy, the exact policies that this role will lead on will depend on previous experience but is likely to include energy security, energy transitions and supporting the team on broader sectoral priorities.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Advocate for British policy interests with a range of US decision-makers, engaging proactively to identify opportunities to promote UK policy interests at both Federal and state level. Develop and maintain a wide range of high-level contacts within Congress, government and industry to achieve this.
- Plan and drive forward a coordinated programme of UK-US collaboration to include knowledge exchange on UK and US low-carbon policies, working creatively to broaden US domestic support for climate policy priorities, and aligning UK and US positions on international climate and energy issues.
- Work closely with colleagues in other teams including Trade, Economics, and Foreign Policy, to deliver on cross-UK Government priorities.
- Ensure UK policy is informed by US developments, by providing insightful reporting on US policy developments for senior officials in the Embassy and Whitehall. Contribute proactively to UK policy discussions.
- Support your team to think outside the box and identify new opportunities for UK-US collaboration to advance the team’s objectives. Use your detailed understanding of the US energy/climate policy system and ability to understand trends and upcoming key events to ensure that resource is allocated effectively.
- Take responsibility for structuring and delivering visits to the US by senior UK Ministers and officials, and deliver on other projects and events. Handle requests for advice and information from UK Government.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
This role is the direct line manager for two members of staff, one who currently leads on green transport and also manages another member of staff, the other supports on the energy portfolio.
You will likely have responsibility for project delivery and managing project budgets of up to c.$100k.
Essential on arrival:
- At least seven years of relevant experience in international and/or US climate/energy/environmental policy.
- Existing connections to relevant stakeholders in Government, Congress, Industry, and NGOs.
- Experience working across the political spectrum on energy/climate issues.
- Able to represent the Embassy at external meetings and win the confidence of senior US and UK officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders.
- Excellent communication - able to write quickly and engagingly for expert and non-expert audiences, and to explain complex issues simply in writing and in person.
- Experience managing others.
- Ability to work independently, with an enthusiastic approach to work, and ability to proactively identify opportunities and drive them forward.
- Flexibility in a team setting, with strong interpersonal skills, and an ability to work well with others – including remotely – to win support and deliver results.
- Ability to travel occasionally and work flexibly if required
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.
Desirable:
- An understanding of UK low carbon policies and priorities
- An understanding of how to work effectively with remote team members
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communciating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).
Working patterns (If the job is suitable for flexible working patterns, please provide details):
This role is full time (approx. 40 hours per week) and may require occasionally working longer hours and/or working outside of core office hours. There is an opportunity for a flexible working pattern.
The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing flexibility to work from home when required. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.
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. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. 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, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
