View Vacancy - Climate Change Policy Officer

Main purpose of job:

To coordinate British Embassy Colombia policy and strategic communications work to combat Climate Change, including diplomatic action to support delivery and follow up of the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in December 2020.

Roles and responsibilities:

• To coordinate implementation of the Embassy’s COP26 strategy for Colombia, working closely with political, climate programme, trade, prosperity and communications colleagues. This will include ensuring that delivery of COP26 objectives supports low-carbon transitions, and resilience & adaptation objectives in Colombia, including clean growth, energy transition, transport and industrial decarbonisation, tackling deforestation nature-based solutions and green finance – all in line with the UK-Colombian Partnership for Sustainable Growth.
• Working closely with Embassy press and ICF colleagues, to devise, plan and implement COP26-related strategic communications and engagement activities with government and non-Government actors. This will include building relationships, and lobbying when required, with working level contacts in government, sub-national authorities (cities, states, provinces), representatives of   businesses, and civil society activists
• To coordinate with London-based HMG colleagues on engagement with Colombia, advising on local sensitivities and Colombia’s priorities for COP26; including briefing for ministers and senior officials.
• To lead engagement with officials in the Colombian government (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Environment, National Planning Department, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Agriculture, Colciencias, among others) on policy and operational elements of delivering COP26. This will include lobbying, advising and supporting engagement between senior officials (including the Heads of Mission) and Ministers.
• To manage Ministerial and official visits from the UK related to COP26 and climate events in Colombia. This could include planning and advising on visit agendas, coordinating with media colleagues, and supporting in events as required.
• To play an active part in the corporate life of the Embassy, including where relevant as a member of Embassy committees (crisis, L&D, Brilliant Bogota) to maximise the overall well-being of staff.
• The jobholder will be expected to manage his or her own administrative tasks within the Economic Diplomacy Team. He/she will actively participate in meetings and briefings of relevance to the role.
• To fulfil requirements of performance appraisal process, including setting a career development plan; and to identify and attend opportunities to improve existing skills and/or develop new ones.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Project management: the jobholder would be required to design bids for project funding relevant to the role and to COP26 posts objectives; while ensuring effective implementation and expenditure.
• Line manager for one B3L Global Issues Officer and supervision of one intern.

Essential on arrival:  

• 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 in a strong, collaborative team environment for an organisation in a relevant field, for example, working for/with national or regional government, international organizations or agencies, preferably in climate change.
• Strong understanding and of international climate change policy, with relevant experience (at least 2 years) including from university and/or preferably from previous professional work experience.
• Strong background and track record of success in strategic communications planning and delivery.
• Experience of lobbying and negotiation ideally around climate and environmental issues.
• Good network of contacts with a wide-range of stakeholders both internally and externally: national and local government, private sector, NGOs.
• Experience of managing diverse and senior level relationships.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people both orally and in writing; good judgement to inform decisions and provide advice.
• Ability to research, organise and analyse facts and data.
• Sound judgement and ability to determine work priorities, work methods and budget allocations.

Language: Fluent written and spoken English and Spanish.

Level of language required: minimum level required C2 (under the CEFRL or equivalent).