View Vacancy - LATAM Regional Energy, Climate and Environment Coordinator, Mexico City

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy in Mexico City is looking for a candidate to undertake the role of LATAM Regional Energy, Climate and Environment Coordinator. This is an exciting opportunity to support the work of our diplomatic network to tackle climate change, building upon the legacy of our COP26 Presidency. The successful candidate will work collaboratively across the Latin American region.

Roles and responsibilities:

Coordination of networks (30%): Enhance our strategic and policy objectives through effective regional networking and integration of ECE teams.

• Lead and manage the FCDO’s Latin American Climate Action Network (LACAN), by overseeing organisation and chairing of fortnightly meetings and delivering on agreed targets and initiatives;
• Work with LACAN members to plan and implement a LACAN regional conference in 2023;
• Consider appropriate internal coordination materials, such as regular newsletters, WhatsApp groups, etc., to support the LACAN;
• Be a central point of contact within the region for London and join the global network of senior regional climate advisers who dock into the central London HQ and support the regional delivery of HMG’s ECE objectives. Where required, work closely with Latin America Department and counterparts in the Caribbean.
• Prepare a visits plan to meet and support ECE teams at British missions throughout the region;
• Act as liaison point between the LATAM region and the UK for public and private sectors, academia, civil society and media;
• Proactively engage with critical external stakeholders and networks in the LATAM ECE space (e.g. MDBs, UNEP, CELAC, etc.), representing HMG’s regional interests.

Strategy (25%): Working with key contacts in London and the region, prepare and implement new LATAM ECE strategy building on the legacy of our COP26 Presidency.

• Review existing HMG national and regional ECE plans (including DIT Clean Growth Strategies), as well as relevant ECE strategies from key regional players (e.g. MDBs, UN, ECLAC, etc.);
• Consult HMG and other appropriate stakeholders, including the London Climate Diplomacy Desk Officer covering the Americas, on the draft strategy and, where relevant, integrate feedback to guarantee coherence, alignment and additionality;
• Disseminate and raise awareness of the new strategy and its objectives;
• Lead on and oversee its implementation;
• Monitor and evaluate progress; take steps to review and update strategy as appropriate.

Policy (15%): Identify, consolidate and promote agreed regional ECE policy priorities

• To understand ECE policy issues of greatest significance to the region, including policy direction set by London, through: engagement with policy makers, review of policy documents and participation in key policy fora;
• Interpret and recommend how to promote LATAM ECE policy priorities while recognising and capturing the range of different national and sub-national interests within the region;
• Articulate the agreed regional ECE policy priorities in verbal and written communications, such as briefings and presentations;
• Contribute to other regional ECE communications, including Diplomatic Telegrams and policy reports.

Programme (15%): Support successful implementation of existing regional ECE programmes and explore opportunities for new ones.

• Become familiar with existing regional ECE initiatives, included but not limited to our International Climate Finance portfolio (ICF). Participate in appropriate programme management conversations and determine what role, if any, the coordinator could assume to support programme objectives;
• Through the preparation of the new LATAM ECE strategy, as well as integration into regional networks, the Regional Coordinator will begin to develop a sense of whether there are any opportunities for the UK to invest in new programmes. If so, prepare recommendations for relevant teams across HMG.

Capacity Building (10%): Ensure provision of appropriate capacity building for ECE teams in LATAM

• Where necessary, build capacity of posts in the region on ECE related systems, procedures and networks;
• Help organise relevant technical capacity building for regional teams drawing on UK, regional and global expertise; 
• Lead the organisation of an annual regional conference, bringing together climate attachés in the region, as well as appropriate colleagues in London.
• Provide backup support on the UK’s ECE priorities to small teams in the region.

Corporate Contribution (5%): Help make the Embassy a great place to work.

• All Embassy staff are expected to fulfil a defined role in the event of a crisis;
• Contribute to the Embassy’s wider corporate agenda and values by being an active member in one of our committees, working groups or taskforces.

Resources managed:

None

Essential on arrival:  

• Essential: Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field (Climate, Energy or Environmental Science, Political Science, Economics, International Relations, etc); a Master’s degree is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of Latin-American climate, energy and environment political and policy landscapes.
• A minimum of 5+ years of experience working for an organisation in a relevant field, for example, working for/with national or local governments, international organisations or agencies, preferably in climate, energy and environment.
• High-level advocacy and policy engagement experience, with ability positively to engage senior political and policy thinkers on climate change issues and gain commitment for action.
• Ability to manage a varied and complex workload to deliver high quality outcomes, prioritising work to meet tight deadlines.
• A team player, who is able to bring others with them and to work with a diverse range of colleagues and external contacts (e.g., government, academic, civil society and business groups) to build consensus on common action.
• Experience working in an international context with multicultural environments.
• Strong working knowledge of IT including Microsoft Office applications (Teams, Word, Excel and Outlook).

Language requirements:

Language: English and Spanish; Portuguese is desirable

Level of language required:  minimum level required C1 under CEFRL or equivalent