View Vacancy - Head of Climate Change

Main purpose of job:

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) promotes the United Kingdom’s interests overseas, supporting UK citizens and businesses around the globe. The British Embassy in Santiago leads on diplomatic relations with Chile. This role is based within the Prosperity Team in Chile, the team that covers Climate Change, Trade Policy, Economic Diplomacy and Science and Innovation within the Embassy.

We are looking for a specialist in climate change policy, skilled at relationship management, policy development and project design and implementation. This position will lead on climate change policy at the British Embassy Santiago. The jobholder will lead on diplomatic action to support delivery of objectives related to the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in November 2021, which the UK will host.

The successful candidate will lead on developing climate change policy as part of the Economic Affairs Prosperity Section at the British Embassy Santiago. Working with the Economic Diplomacy Programme Manager, they will be responsible for overseeing a series of projects under the Prosperity Fund and Climate Diplomacy Fund totalling £55,000. Post-COP26, the jobholder will continue to implement the climate action agenda of the British Embassy Santiago liaising with key Chilean stakeholders and helping to support UK-Chile collaboration on long-term climate change and clean growth objectives.

The successful candidate will be fluent in English and Spanish, able to cultivate a wide range of contacts in Chile and the UK and to design and implement successful projects that promote clean growth in Chile. The role will be based in the British Embassy, Santiago and report to the First Secretary for Economics and Trade.

The funding for this role is confirmed for the entire 2021/22 financial year (until the end of March 2022). We hope to be able to extend the contract beyond March 2022 but this is dependent on securing additional funding for the role.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

Plan and deliver UK-Chile activities around COP26 (30%)

• To design and execute the Embassy’s COP26 engagement plan, building UK-Chile collaboration on climate change. This will include ensuring that delivery of COP26 goals that aim to support increased climate ambition in Chile and action for a resilient, net zero economy in the areas of: mitigation, finance, adaptation and collaboration on priority objectives related to nature-based solutions, green finance, clean growth in the private sector and energy transition decarbonisation.
• Lead on delivery of Non-Official Development Assistance (Non-ODA) project fund programmes in Chile to support work across COP26 priority areas on raising climate ambition, nature/biodiversity, finance, energy, non-state actor action (i.e. youth and Race to Zero/Race to Resilience campaigns).

Policy development and stakeholder management (30%)

• To coordinate with UK Government Department colleagues (FCDO, BEIS, DIT, etc.) on engagement with Chile, advising on local Chile priorities. Supporting events in Chile and visits from senior UK stakeholders, including briefing for ministers and senior officials.
• To liaise with officials in the Chile government, Ministries of Environment, Finance, Energy and Science among others, working closely with our UK BEIS Secondee - on policy and operational elements of climate change, including around COP26. This will include advising and supporting engagement between senior officials (including the Heads of Mission) and Ministers.
• Promote the UK’s climate, environment and clean energy policy experience, strategies and low carbon capabilities to key Chilean public, private and academic stakeholders; represent the British Embassy by participating in Chile’s Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Action and the British Chamber’s Sustainability Committee.

Project Design and Execution (20%)

• Lead on delivery of Non-Official Development Assistance (Non-ODA) project fund programmes in Chile to support work across COP26 priority areas on raising climate ambition, nature/biodiversity, finance, energy, non-state actor action (i.e. youth and Race to Zero/Race to Resilience campaigns). Funding available includes the Prosperity Fund (for Climate Change and Biodiversity) and the Climate Diplomacy Fund.
• Support low carbon themes within the UK-Chile Trade Dialogue, via the Low Carbon Working Group:

1. Promote the UK’s climate and environment policy experience and clean growth capabilities to key Chilean public, private and academic stakeholders.
2. Collaborate with Department of International Trade (DIT) to generate and identify UK clean growth and circular economy business opportunities in Chile.

Climate Change Management and Strategy (20%)

• To plan and implement engagement with non-Government actors to support an inclusive, ambitious COP26. This will include building relationships with working level contacts in sub-national authorities (cities, states and provinces), representatives of businesses, NGOs, indigenous communities, youth and civil society activists to assure voices from marginalised groups contribute to more inclusive climate action in the future.
• To lead climate change activities, including the line management of a Climate Change Officer. To support the growth and development of this officer, the Prosperity and COP Support Officer and the wider team. Contribute to the functioning and development of the wider Embassy (e.g. on an Embassy Committee or through another corporate contribution).

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• B3(L) Climate change officer

Funding managed: At least £55,000 Non-ODA (Official Development Assistance) climate related programmes with opportunities to bid for further funding.

• Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in a relevant field, for instance, Climate and Environment Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, International Relations, 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.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience of managing diverse and senior level relationships.
• Language: Fluent written and spoken English and Spanish. Minimum level required C1 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or equivalent.
• Must have the legal status to live and work in Chile. The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.