Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Climate Diplomacy
Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption. You may find more information in the Additional Information section below.
The United Kingdom Mission to the UN & WTO in Geneva (UKMis) represents the interests and policies of the UK at many international organisations. We are currently looking for a Country-Based C4(L) Climate and Environment Officer.
Climate and the environment are top priorities for HM Government. As we prepare to host COP26 this November, we are looking to recruit a talented policy professional to develop the UK Mission’s climate and environment policy. The successful candidate will develop quickly a strategy for the whole of the UK Mission in Geneva, in close consultation with our Trade and Economic, Humanitarian, Global Health, Human Rights, Communications and Senior Leadership teams. You will be expected to develop links with the key agencies and organisations in Geneva, NGOs and Civil Society and other diplomatic Missions, to help further UK policy objectives.
You will support UKMis engagement on climate and environment standard-setting and trade in the Geneva-based economic organisations working closely with the Mission’s Trade and Economic Team. You will work with the humanitarian team on the challenges which the humanitarian agencies in Geneva face on climate change and the environment, advocating for a co-ordinated approach, including for COP 26. You will support UK engagement in UN Human Rights Council processes on the environment and climate change and support multilateral work on the relationship between the environment and armed conflict. You will support colleagues in the Global Health team on “One Health”: the human-animal-environmental health nexus and on the impact of climate change on health.
The job-holder will lead the Embassy’s public diplomacy efforts on COP26, promoting the UK’s climate leadership and the work of the Mission. You will develop an engagement plan for the key climate and environment stakeholders in Geneva, delivering a communications and soft power strategy to influence them in close coordination with and in support of the Mission’s Communications team. You will send regular reporting to UK Government departments with recommendations for engagement with the Geneva-based agencies.
This job provides a great opportunity to build up an important strand of work for the UK Mission and to play a role in our diplomatic effort to increase global ambition on climate change. It will give the successful candidate the opportunity to develop policy skills at expert level. The role will require strategic vision, political awareness and a strong drive to get things done, suiting someone who wants to build their diplomatic and multilateral skills.
Roles and responsibilities:
- To develop and implement a climate and environment strategy for the UK Mission in Geneva, supporting the UK’s objectives at and flowing from COP26.
- To coordinate, support and track climate and environment-related work taking place across the different teams in the UK Mission, identifying synergies and ensuring coherence in approach.
- To boost the UK Mission’s profile on climate and environment issues in Geneva, including organising targeted public diplomacy events.
- To establish a network of contacts working on climate and environment issues in Geneva.
- To advise the Head of Mission and the senior leadership team on climate and environment-related lobbying and engagement in Geneva.
- To establish strong links with UK-based policy teams, supporting them as required.
- Fluent written and spoken English (minimum C2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages *).
- Proven experience of working in a multilateral or multi-stakeholder environment.
- Proven ability to build networks, influence and create and deliver a strategy.
- Strong stakeholder management.
- Strong interest and engagement on climate and the environment.
- French language would be desirable.
Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering
13 June 2021
C4 (L)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
40
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Switzerland
UK Mission to the Office of the United Nations, Geneva
UK Delegation
1
1 August 2021
This is a full-time fixed-term contract until 31 March 2022 with potential for renewal (to be confirmed), for 5 working days (40 hours) per week, at C4 level.
The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check, security clearance and 3 months’ probation period.
Staff recruited locally by the UK Mission for the United Nations in Geneva are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Swiss employment law.
Please note that you must have the right to work and reside in Switzerland without visa sponsorship. (For information: EU nationals do not require visa sponsorship).
Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Switzerland and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Please be advised that the UK Mission will not be able to meet any cost during the Recruitment and Selection process, Security Check nor the costs connected with relocation.
Information due to COVID-19:
- You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;
- Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;
- Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.
*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.
To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate on the application form /in your cover letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.