Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Economic and Prosperity
Main purpose of job:
Do you want to shape the UK’s approach to engaging with the US on climate, energy and environmental issues during the UK’s year-long COP26 Presidency?
The British Embassy in Washington, DC is seeking a Climate, Energy and Environment Policy Advisor to cover a period of maternity leave on an eight-month fixed-term contract. The job holder will work across the full range of climate, energy and environment issues that the team handles, with a particular focus on US federal and subnational engagement around COP26 priorities in the lead-up to and during the UK’s presidency. They will provide advice to UK Government departments on developments in US energy and climate policy and engage US official and private sector actors around climate ambition and the transition to a low-carbon global economy. The Policy Advisor will also represent the UK Government in meetings and outward-facing events at a time when joint US-UK climate leadership will play a critical role in catalysing international climate action.
The successful candidate will need to be a strategic thinker and demonstrate a strong understanding of US energy and climate policy, both at the federal and subnational levels. They will be a credible interlocutor with contacts in the US, specifically congressional staff, business and investors, state and local government, and non-governmental organizations. The job holder will be a self-starter, proactively developing ideas and strategies to foster UK-US collaboration on energy and environmental priorities. They will also have a proven track-record in working collaboratively in a team setting
The job holder will report to the Senior Policy Advisor, Energy & Environment, and be part of a nine-member team with colleagues in Washington, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. They will also work closely with a range of Embassy teams and with other offices in the US Network, as well as other departments including the Department for International Trade’s Energy and Infrastructure team.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
- Monitor and analyse US domestic energy, climate change, and low-carbon policies and initiatives, with a particular focus on subnational actors in the Eastern US and the Federal Government.
- Act as the Team Lead for building and delivering US-focused programming during COP26 in order to advance broader US climate priorities.
- Provide regular high-quality reporting (written and oral) on US developments to inform UK policy development and diplomatic engagement on climate, energy and environmental priorities.
- Design and deliver projects and events to support closer UK-US collaboration on energy and low-carbon developments.
- Advocate British interests with a range of key US interlocutors to promote UK priorities and policy interests.
- Take responsibility for structuring and delivering visits to the US by UK ministers and senior officials.
- Develop and maintain contacts within Congress, the Federal Administration, state and municipal governments in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, industry, and non-governmental stakeholders to support all of the above duties and responsibilities.
- Work closely with colleagues throughout the US network of Consulates and UK Government Offices in the Eastern US to provide clear direction that enables others to monitor energy and climate issues, as well as deliver relevant projects.
- Lead US Network policy engagement on Offshore Wind.
Resources managed:
The successful candidate will line manage one member of the team and provide support/be supported by teams in two other consular posts. The role includes responsibility for delivering one to two projects a year including, design, delivery, budget management and review.
- Minimum of 4 years’ relevant experience.
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree desirable, with economic, policy, or environmental focus preferred.
- Must be able to represent the UK at external meetings, and win the confidence of senior stakeholders, including US and UK officials.
- Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues to diverse audiences.
- Must be a proven self-starter with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, possess excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, and adapt to fast-paced and shifting demands.
- Ability and willingness to travel occasionally.
- You will be required to use your knowledge of the US system of government (at the federal and subnational levels) to think strategically and creatively about how to advance the UK’s energy and environment priorities.
- Effective communication including an ability to build a strong network of contacts is essential to the role.
- Flexibility and an ability to quickly action requests and respond to developments is also a must in this role.
- Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A visa holders*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.ukinusa.com. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.
- A background in energy and/or environmental policy.
- Knowledge of US energy and environmental stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience in project management and delivery.
- Interest in or knowledge of UK policy strengths and priorities.
- An understanding of UK energy and environment policies and priorities.
- Experience managing projects.
- An understanding of how to work effectively with remote staff members.
Making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace
12 July 2021
C4 (L)
Fixed Term, Full-time
40
8 months
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
$72,661 (to be prorated)
6 September 2021
Learning and development opportunities:
No specific training courses are required for this role. Making time for personal learning and development is core to the UK Government’s values and there are plenty of opportunities to undertake training courses or on the job learning.
Working patterns:
This role is full time but there is the opportunity to have a flexible work pattern.
The role is for 8-months lasting until 30 April 2022.
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.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
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.
The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
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