Main purpose of job:

The Pacific Clean Energy Adviser will have responsibility for maximising the UK-Pacific partnership on energy priorities, assisting UK High Commissions in the Pacific to work with host governments and other stakeholders to support the Pacific energy transition, and overseeing a subset of our Pacific clean energy programmes.

The Adviser will spend around 80% of their time on working with UK teams across the Pacific as part of a virtual Pacific hub and a highly ambitious, active, global climate and energy network. This part of the role will involve responsibility for various clean energy projects and programmes, as well as providing high quality energy policy advice to our diplomatic posts across the region and to London on Pacific energy opportunities. It will also involve responsibility for driving our strategic objectives on clean energy in the region, including supporting the Pacific in their ambition to accelerate the Pacific energy transition. The work on energy will take a holistic perspective, working across Pacific Government/Pacific Island Forum agendas, including trade, prosperity, science and innovation. You will need to hold or be willing to develop a diverse and strong network across Governments, industry, academia, philanthropies and communities, with your role having a key focus on diplomatic activity as well as energy policy and programmes.
The post holder will also provide support for the UK’s wider climate, energy, and nature agenda in the Pacific. This will include work to support UK Ministerial visits, providing briefing and analysis, and helping identify opportunities for the UK to communicate about the work we do. You will work in partnership with colleagues across the High Commission you are based in and the wider FCDO Pacific Island network. You will need to build an understanding of the added value that the UK and Pacific partnership can bring to our domestic net zero transitions and vice versa, informed by the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the UK’s own priorities. 
The Adviser will plan and deliver clean energy related events for the UK’s Pacific network and represent the UK at external events, often presenting. They will help to build internal expertise; lead on clean energy policy development and advice; and build networks across a diverse range of Pacific stakeholders. They will lobby on UK priorities – or support posts to influence – as appropriate, and will also harness programme funds, events and communications to help deliver their objectives. 
   
This is a great job for a climate/energy expert passionate about delivering long term change across climate and energy policy and programme agendas, and who can spot and maximise opportunities across the region, as well as managing an ambitious agenda.  We are ideally looking for someone who can bring their own expertise, developed relationships, and initiative.
The role will suit someone who can work collaboratively as part of a virtual team to deliver high quality work, aiming high to meet long-term goals whilst responding promptly to diverse short-term commissions. Strong communication skills and an ability to build relationships while working remotely will be essential. The successful candidate should have strong existing knowledge of global and Pacific climate change and energy issues and ideally have a strong existing climate/energy network in their country and/or the wider Pacific. Adaptability and willingness to provide surge capacity to other areas of the British High Commission and the region you will be based in is also required, which could constitute to 20% of your time.

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

• Work with British High Commissions across the Pacific and form a key part of the Suva-based Pacific Climate, Nature, and Energy team on UK engagement across the Pacific.
• Deliver for the UK Pacific network on the energy parts of the UK’s climate, nature, and energy 2035 strategy and post country business plans.
• Provide energy policy advice to our diplomatic posts across the region and to London on Pacific energy opportunities.
• Oversee selected UK energy development programmes in the region.
• Work with Pacific stakeholders to help drive the energy transition in the region and harness UK strengths to provide support, including utilising funding sources such as climate finance.
• Profile the UK’s Pacific-focused energy activities to the regional audience including through British High Commission social media channels, programmes and public engagements.
• Lead internal capacity building, championing climate/energy expertise across UK and the Pacific networks.
• Support occasional missions/programme visits within the wider Pacific region.

• Strong knowledge of and experience working on climate change/clean energy policy in in the Pacific (ideally) or other developing region.
• A sound understanding of the regional climate change/energy landscape
• Degree in a relevant field
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong relationship management skills
• Willingness to travel in the Pacific