View Vacancy – Energy Policy Officer (Brasilia/FCDO)

Main purpose of job:

To help shape and deliver UK Government energy objectives in Brazil, including analysis and reporting of political and commercial opportunities, and ensure the UK’s Prosperity Fund energy programme contributes to policy delivery.

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

The British Government in Brazil has a large presence with over 200 employees in Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Recife. The UK remains the largest foreign investor in the energy sector in Brazil. The UK iso also spending up to £25m in support of Brazil’s low carbon energy transition. This role, reporting to the Head of the Climate and Energy Team, will be key to shaping UK’s energy policy and delivery, ensuring that it advances both Brazil’s and UK’s energy, security and prosperity objectives.

You will be a dynamic team player, working collaboratively with the Climate Change and the Science and Innovation Network to ensure a coordinated approach to our climate change and energy objectives. You will bring your excellent knowledge of the energy sector to foster stronger ties between the UK and Brazil. You will need to be willing to adapt to changing priorities demonstrating a “can-do” attitude.

• You will lead in delivering our political engagement across the whole energy policy spectrum. This will include your own direct engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including Government and business, as well as advising on and creating opportunities for engagement by senior staff and visiting UK officials and Ministers.   In doing so, our aim to ensure that Brazil’s policy choices advance both Brazil’s and the UK’s energy, security and prosperity objectives.
• You will help to influence the strategic direction of the UK’s Prosperity Fund energy transition programme by contributing policy input and advice to the programme and project development team. In doing so your role is to ensure that the programme and projects have the right political impact and make a real difference to our prosperity agenda.
• You will work closely with Department of International Trade colleagues to ensure that the UK maximises commercial opportunities afforded by Brazil’s growing energy sector.  In doing so you will create opportunities for Brazilian and UK policy makers to share expertise.
• You will provide expert analysis and reporting to London and the region on significant energy issues and developments in Brazil. This will include monitoring and summarising of local media and analytical reports, identifying key energy developments; and routine reporting of key energy events.
• You will need to develop and maintain a network of key contacts within the Brazil government, civil society and business community and with UK counterparts.
• You will assist in the organisation and co-ordination of energy related visits to Brazil, as well as for Brazilian officials to the UK
• You will work closely with our climate change oficers and Science and Innovation Network to influence Brazil’s sustainability strategy, helping Brazil to become a leader in low carbon growth and smart energy systems.
• You will provide policy briefing to senior managers in Brazil and across UK government, including key messaging on programme and project achievements and strategies.

Language requirements:

Language: English/Portuguese

Level of language required: Fluent

Other skills / experience / qualifications:

Candidates need to have a university degree and excellent knowledge of the Brazilian energy sector. Excellent communication skills in English and Portuguese are essential for this position. In addition candidates should:

• Be resilient and resourceful

Create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the British Embassy to help get business done. At all levels, it requires working collaboratively, sharing information and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions