Senior Environmental and Social Adviser

 

Position description

The Environmental and Social Risk Management team (E&S team) is responsible for the implementation of UKEF’s environmental, social and human rights (ESHR) policy. The E&S team represents UK Export Finance and, where appropriate, the UK Government on ESHR issues relating to UKEF’s operations.

The E&S team currently consists of a team of 9 members of staff. We are now seeking to fill up to 4 new positions in the team due to organic growth and demand, following on from UKEF’s record volume of export support last year, and our continued focus on environmental, social and human rights risks and opportunities, and applying good international industry practice to their due diligence, and post-issue management.

Job description

The Senior Environmental and Social Adviser provides advice, manages and takes responsibility for the ESHR due diligence and monitoring of cases. These primarily fall within the scope of the OECD Common Approaches and Equator Principles (as set out in UKEF’s environmental, social and human rights (ESHR) policy) but also includes wider ESHR review of other UKEF products including short term business and corporate financing. In addition, the Senior E&S Adviser provides technical ESHR advice to the Business Group, provides training and mentoring on ESHR issues within UKEF, and supports and contributes to the E&S team reporting. The Senior E&S Adviser supports the Head of the E&S team in providing ESHR advice on relevant policy and international relations matters, such as with the OCED Export Credit Group and the Equator Principles group, as well as any necessary policy revisions in technical areas (for example climate change considerations or human rights).

Responsibilities

Case managing and taking responsibility for ESHR due diligence and monitoring

• Undertaking and leading in screening, ESHR due diligence and monitoring case work;
• gathering and appraising case ESHR risk assessment and management information;
• benchmarking against relevant ESHR international standards;
• discussing management of ESHR risks, UKEF’s due diligence and monitoring requirements with applicants, UK exporters, project sponsors, etc.;
• managing external ESHR consultants in the provision of specific or general advice on cases;

Training of other staff

• Mentoring and assisting other E&S advisers on ESHR issues; and
• Assisting with the development and training to other UK Export Finance staff, including awareness raising presentations and ESHR training for underwriters.

Production of management information

• Contributing to internal and external ESHR reporting;
• Attending EGAC meetings to discuss specific ESHR case due diligence reviews and monitoring, when required; and
• Contributing to Executive Committee and Management Board reports and UKEF’s Annual Report and Accounts.

Developing policy and procedures

• Assisting the Head of the E&S team with the development of UKEF’s ESHR policy and contributing to policy papers for Executive Committee and Management Board;
• Working with other UKEF divisions to develop approaches to ESHR review of emerging and “non-traditional” products, including short term and corporate business; and
• Taking initiative in proposing and developing procedures for updating and/or implementing UKEF’s ESHR policy.

Professional development and training

• Attending ESHR or other relevant training courses;
• Develop an understanding of international trade and finance and UKEF’s underwriting processes;
• Reading professional journals, magazines and new articles;
• Attending relevant conferences and seminars; and
• Obtaining membership to a relevant professional institution.

You may be required to carry out additional duties according to business need. Please read Information Pack for further details.

Qualifications

Degree/post graduate degree in engineering or environmental science, social sciences and/or significant practical experience in engineering or environmental science, social sciences.

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• A short presentation (this will be on a topic determined by UKEF and will need to be prepared in advance).

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension

Application instructions