View Vacancy – Policy Advisor, Energy & Climate Team

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 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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Subcategory

Political, Policy

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main purpose of job:

The British Government’s Consulate in Houston is offering an exciting opportunity to join the Energy & Climate Team as Policy Advisor. This is a meaningful role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US – contributing to work shaping international diplomacy to make a real difference globally.

The US Network offers a unique, career-enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a comprehensive benefits package- including generous leave, competitive insurance options, a top-tier 401(k) programme, and access to world-class learning and development resources.

We are committed to fostering a healthy work-life balance and supporting employee wellbeing through a structured hybrid working model that includes opportunities for remote work and flexible hours, where operational needs allow.

In this role, you will be part of a dynamic international environment spanning the British Government’s extensive network across the United States and the United Kingdom, which includes the Embassy in Washington, the UK Mission to the United Nations, multiple Consulates, and other Government Offices—comprising over 900 staff and supporting the work of approximately 30 UK government departments and agencies.

As Policy Advisor in the Energy & Climate Team, you will contribute to strengthening UK-US collaboration in Energy & Climate Policy across the full range of energy, climate and environmental issues that the team handles. Positioned within the Energy & Climate Policy Team, led from the Embassy in DC, based in the Consulate in Houston, you will work closely with internal stakeholders such as Energy & Climate Policy colleagues throughout the US network, the Consul General in Houston and Department of Business & Trade colleagues and external partners including US government, think tanks, academics and various lobby groups. This role supports the UK’s broader strategic objectives in Energy & Climate Policy and offers valuable experience in international engagement and cross-government collaboration.

We’re looking for a proactive self-starter, someone who is collaborative, detail-oriented and able to develop ideas and strategies to foster UK-US collaboration on energy, environmental, and climate priorities; a professional with experience in public policy, international relations, project and event delivery. You’ll bring strong knowledge and understanding of US energy, environmental, and climate policy, both at the federal and subnational levels as well as strong communication and prioritization skills and a commitment to high-quality work and continuous learning.

Roles and responsibilities:

In this role, you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats, and other country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences. The jobholder reports to the Senior Policy Advisor, Energy & Investment, in the British Consulate General Houston. They work closely with the Consul General in Houston and a range of Embassy teams and with other offices in the US Network to cover Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The job holder may need to travel a number of times a year across the region, and potentially visit the UK approximately once per year.

• Reporting and Delivering UK-US collaboration (about 40%)

Monitor and analyse US domestic environmental, energy, climate change, and low-carbon policies and initiatives, with a particular focus on subnational actors in Southern States and the Federal Government, acting as the Team Lead on 2-3 priority energy sectors and themes. Provide regular high-quality reporting (written and oral) on US developments to inform UK policy and contribute proactively to policy discussions, including advising on local sensitivities and priorities, and briefing for ministers and senior officials.

• Strategic Relationship Management (about 25%)

Proactively develop and maintain effective and strategic relationships within leading energy corporations, state and local governments, and non-governmental stakeholders to support all of the listed roles and responsibilities. Advocate British interests with a range of key US interlocutors to promote UK priorities and policy interests. Work closely with colleagues throughout the US network of Consulates and UK Government Offices to provide clear direction that enables others to monitor energy, environment, and climate issues, as well as deliver relevant projects.

• Progamme Management (about 25%)

Design and deliver projects and events to support closer UK-US collaboration on clean energy and low-carbon developments. Take responsibility for structuring and delivering visits to the US by UK ministers and senior officials. Horizon scanning to identify longer term energy trends across the southern US patch, working closely with energy colleagues leading on Business and Academia engagement to advise Whitehall on longer term trends.

• Communications (about 10%)

Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues throughout the US network of Consulates and UK Government Offices to provide clear direction that enables others to monitor energy, environment, and climate issues, as well as deliver relevant projects.

*These percentages are indicative and may shift over time depending on team priorities and organisational needs.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure)

This role does not involve direct line management but does require the ability to develop and lead virtual teams in order to deliver your policy priorities. Depending on the local priorities, this role could be responsible for implementing energy and climate projects where you will be responsible for delivery including monitoring spend.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential on arrival:

• Previous professional experience, preferably focusing on international and/or US energy/environmental/climate policy.
• Must be able to represent the UK at external meetings, and win the confidence of senior stakeholders, including US and UK officials and business people.
• Must have an understanding of the requirements of different audiences (Ministers, UK Parliament/US congress, media, UK or foreign officials, etc.) and an ability to flex your style appropriately.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues to diverse audiences.
• Must have the capacity to deliver consistently high-quality work and pay attention to detail even when delivering to tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and MS Teams.

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Expert

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable skills / experience / qualifications:

• A background in energy policy and demonstrated knowledge of climate/environmental science.
• Experience in project management and delivery.
• Interest in or knowledge of UK policy strengths and priorities.
• Events management experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture

Application deadline

3 June 2026

Grade

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

40

Region

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory

United States

Location (City)

Houston

Type of Post

British Consulate

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

USD

Salary

80,090

Type of Salary

yearly

Start Date

27 July 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

Eligibility

You must have the right to live and work in the US in order to take up this role, whether in your own right or as a dependant, and be able to demonstrate that when required. If you are not a US citizen, dual US citizen or US Permanent Resident, it is your responsibility check your eligibility to work for a foreign government in the United States, and specifically to work in this role at this location, and provide proof of your eligibility via an Employment Authorisation Document or other relevant document when required. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

Core Hours/Hybrid Working

While many jobs in the US Network are able to offer flexibility in terms of working hours, core business hours are 09:30 to 15:00 (in the local time zone) Monday through Friday.

Employees will be expected to work from office full-time during the first 90 days of employment. After this time employees may work from home no more than 40% of the working week, subject to operational needs.

All working hours and hybrid working are position specific and subject to change at any time, without notice. If you have any questions, please address them with the hiring manager.

This role is full time (approx. 40 hours per week) and may require occasionally working longer hours and/or working outside of core office hours.

Learning and Development

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.

Unique Tax Rules

Please note that the tax arrangements imposed by the US on staff working for foreign governments, as well as those imposed by the UK Treasury on British and dual nationals working for the UK Government overseas, are atypical. The UK Government cannot withhold taxes (including FICA) on behalf of a US taxpayer. Instead, a US taxpayer is required to file taxes as if they are self-employed, and a FICA allowance is granted for those required to pay the employer contribution. Certain categories of staff (for example dual UK-US nationals and some visa holders) who work at Consulates General are not subject to US taxes. For those not subject to US taxes the UK Government reduces gross pay to a level broadly equivalent to taxed net pay. There are also social security implications for dual UK-US nationals. Please keep all this in mind when looking at the salary and the benefits package. If you are offered a job with the UK’s US Network you will be given further tax and social security information relevant to your personal circumstances and place of work; you are advised to consider this information and its impact on your circumstances carefully – potentially with the advice of a tax professional – before accepting a job.

Additional information

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 03 June 2026.

All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.

Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.