View Vacancy - Climate Change COP26 Policy Manager

The British Embassy in Mexico City is part of a worldwide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas.

We are currently looking for a Policy Officer: COP26 Climate Change Conference to coordinate the Embassy’s efforts to support delivery of the UK-Italy hosted 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in 2020

Main purpose of job

To coordinate British Embassy Mexico work to support delivery and follow up to the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in 2020, with a particular focus on ensuring coherent strategic outreach and communication on climate related issues to support policy objectives, and leading on regional coordination on priority themes (including green finance, cities, energy transition and nature based solutions).

This is an exciting opportunity that requires a mix of policy analysis, project management, briefing, and lobbying on behalf of the UK government.  Reporting to the Head of the Climate, Energy and Future Cities Policy, the successful candidate will work collaboratively across the Embassy and its consulates, as well as with other countries in the region.

Roles and responsibilities

• To coordinate implementation of the Embassy’s COP26 strategy for Mexico working closely with the International Climate Finance (ICF) team, economic, political, prosperity and communications colleagues through the Embassy’s COP26 Taskforce, where the successful candidate will play a critical role. The successful candidate will also work to support a number of Embassies across the region (Central America and the Caribbean), alongside the COP26 Policy Manager in the British Embassy in Belize, lobbying for ambitious targets in various geographies, building upon both Mexico’s and the UK’s leadership in this agenda. This will include ensuring that delivery COP26 objectives supports long-term decarbonisation, and resilience & adaptation objectives in Mexico and the region, including clean growth, energy transition, transport and industrial decarbonisation, nature-based solutions and green finance.
• To coordinate with London based colleagues on engagement with Mexico, advising on local sensitivities and Mexican priorities; including briefing for ministers and senior officials, liaising closely with the wider climate team at the Embassy for these purposes.
• To liaise with officials in the Mexican government on policy and operational elements of delivering COP26. This will include advising and supporting engagement between senior officials (including the Heads of Mission) and Ministers, complementing and coordinating with existing dialogues led by the ICF and Global Issues teams at post, with a specific focus on COP26 objectives. To do this, the candidate will be required to work closely across the Embassy to ensure effective and coordinated engagement with Mexican counterparts, as well as with regional Embassies to support their engagement with their host governments. In principle, the candidate will focus 80% of their time to Mexico and 20% to engaging regionally.
• To plan and implement engagement with non-Government actors. This will include building relationships with working level contacts in sub-national authorities (states and municipalities, particularly where there is appetite for uplifting ambition), representatives of businesses, and civil society activists, with a specific focus on COP26 objectives, complementing and coordinating with existing initiatives supported by other HMG programmes, including, but not limited to Prosperity Fund, ICF and Newton Fund.
• To manage Ministerial and official visits from the UK related to COP26 and climate events in Mexico. This could include planning and advising on visit agendas, coordinating with media colleagues, and supporting in events as required.
• To act as focal point for engagement with the Embassy of Italy in Mexico when relevant, facilitating the delivery of COP26 objectives and strategies established by the co-presidents to the Conference.
• To lead on COP 26 strategic internal and external communications, ensuring that these communications deliver policy impacts on key areas as well as raising awareness about the risks of climate change and importance of increasing ambition and the COP26 negotiations. This would include liaising with press and communication teams at Post, London and across the region for delivering impactful campaigns and events throughout the year to influence key target audiences.
• To hold a corporate responsibility objective, contributing to the Embassy’s wider corporate agenda and values.
  

• 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.
• Strong understanding of international climate change policy, with relevant experience including from university or previous professional work experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience of managing diverse and senior level relationships.

Language: Fluent written and spoken English and Spanish

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