View Vacancy - International Climate Finance Manager, Forests & Land Use

Main purpose of job:

This position is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of the growing UK-Brazilian collaboration focussed on tropical forests and sustainable land use. The post holder will be part of the International Climate Finance (ICF) team in the UK Government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The main duties include providing programme management support to BEIS’s existing forest and land use initiatives in Brazil, conducting regular research and analysis for the BEIS Forests and Land Use team particularly in the run-up to COP26, building effective relationships with in-country stakeholders, and helping guide the ICF Brazil strategy.

Climate and Energy work is a core part of the UK Embassy in Brazil’s focus, and this role sits alongside major programme and policy initiatives involving a range of UK government departments (Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for International Trade). The UK International Climate Finance (ICF) is a £5.8bn portfolio of Official Development Assistance (covering the period 2016-21), which includes a range of programmes designed to support emerging economy countries achieve a low carbon transition. This includes supporting the implementation of their Nationally Determined Contributions for emissions reductions into stronger policies and tangible progress on the ground. BEIS is providing £2bn of this ICF support, with a significant portion focussed on helping partner countries halt deforestation.

Brazil is a major recipient of international support to reduce deforestation. It has made world-leading progress to halt forest loss and place sustainability at the heart of rural development. BEIS’ support includes:

-               £43m of results-based finance through the REDD for Early Movers (REM) programme to support the States of Acre and Mato Grosso to strengthen forest governance and reduce deforestation.

-               £19m to support the Partnerships for Forests (P4F) programme in Latin America, which provides grant finance and technical assistance to propose alternatives to business as usual in the land use sector.

This role will work directly with the implementers for REM and P4F, contributing to effective programme management by supporting risk management, enhancing and communicating results, and ensuring that the programmes respond to evolving forest and land use policy dynamics.

Roles and responsibilities:

1. Portfolio management (50%)

-               Monitor and provide programme management support to the BEIS ICF portfolio. This includes ensuring delivery partners are meeting agreed objectives, local and global results are maximised and risks are controlled. Help programmes exceed expectations: e.g. by building greater political momentum; integration with other policy and finance initiatives; and better outcomes for businesses and private investors. Contribute to coordinated engagement with Brazil between UK government Whitehall departments.

-               Leverage the ICF portfolio of programmes to develop effective relationships with the Brazilian Federal and State Governments, particularly with Acre and Mato Grosso, private sector stakeholders, civil society and indigenous peoples organisations.

-               Lead on the preparation and coordination of key visits (BEIS monitoring missions to Brazil; ministerial visits) and senior-level meetings that will increase the profile of our programmes and help secure measures needed to strengthen their implementation. Publicly represent the Embassy and UK government as a credible interlocutor.

-               Work with other donors, government entities and regional stakeholders to effectively raise the profile of BEIS forest and climate programmes, supporting key events to showcase our work to reduce deforestation and increase the value of standing forests, enhancing the UK’s position as a major partner of strategic importance for Brazil.

-               Scope and develop a pipeline of potential new investment options for new BEIS ICF initiatives that could deepen the UK-Brazil forest and land use partnership. Influence key organisations and individuals to help shape the initiatives to meet both BEIS’ and Brazil’s needs. As part of this, build and apply expertise in how BEIS makes investment decisions and prioritises policy efforts.  

2. Research and Analysis (30%)

-               Monitor and analyse key policy changes regarding forests and sustainable land use. Assess potential policy barriers and wins and regularly communicate this analysis and policy changes in a concise manner to London-based colleagues.

-               Guide ICF thinking and analysis on Brazil for COP26 preparations through research and analysis, and evidence-based recommendations.

-               Prepare evidence-based responses to consultations, commissions and briefings for Ministers.

3. Integrate BEIS finance and policy initiatives with the wider UK government Brazil network (20%)

-               Proactively seek collaboration opportunities amongst Embassy and Consulate teams to support the UK’s low-carbon agenda in Brazil by e.g. ensuring BEIS’ finance and policy initiatives interact effectively with Department Environment, Food and Rural Affairs programmes, Prosperity Fund and political and communication teams, and Department for International Trade.

-               Play an active part in the corporate life of the Embassy (potentially also as a member of Embassy Committees) to maximise the overall well-being of staff.

-               The job holder will be expected to manage his or her own administrative tasks and support the wider team on administrative tasks as and when required.

-               At least 5 years of relevant professional experience;

-               Excellent verbal and written communication skills;

-               Demonstrable interpersonal and relationship skills, and the ability to influence others;

-               Self-directed, able to create a plan, prioritise initiatives and execute independently and in collaboration with others, to agreed deadlines;

-               Solid knowledge of Brazilian State-level and Federal climate, forest, agriculture and land-use policy and institutional frameworks;

-               Proven project management skills;

-               Ability to work well and have a flexible approach to work whilst under pressure; team player, driven by collaboration;

-               supply chains.

Language requirements:

Language: Fluency in written and spoken English and Portuguese – excellent communication, adjusting for audience.

Level of language required: English Fluent, Portuguese (Brazilian) fluent.