View Vacancy – Policy Advisor, Energy and Climate

Main purpose of job:

The British Government is seeking an Energy and Climate Policy Advisor, to be based in our Boston Consulate.  The job holder will be a member of the Energy & Climate Policy Team, located primarily at the British Embassy in DC but also with colleagues throughout the US network. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US. The job holder will work across the full range of energy, climate and environmental issues at a national level, and lead on subnational climate and energy engagement across Northeast States.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  This role is based in the Consulate General in Boston, which is responsible for UK interests in the six New England states, especially in the areas of trade and investment, science and innovation, and consular affairs.  

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 Policy Advisor will provide advice to UK Government departments on US developments in environmental, energy and climate policy at a national and regional level and work to promote the transition to a low-carbon global economy in the US and the UK.  The Policy Advisor will represent the UK Government in meetings and outward-facing events and will be responsible for building a strong network of contacts on climate and energy at a Federal level and across the Northeast.  The candidate is also responsible for managing visits from UK stakeholders to the US.

The jobholder will report to the Senior Policy Officer, Climate and Energy, in Washington DC.  They will work closely with a range of Embassy and consulate teams and with other offices in the US Network. This includes officials from other departments including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Science and Innovation Network, Trade Policy, Politics and Public Affairs and Energy teams.  They will be able to draw on and collaborate with teams across the Boston Consulate to achieve their goals. Equally we would expect the jobholder to support the wider work of His Majesty’s Government (HMG) including through economic growth and corporate contributions.  The job holder may need to travel a number of times a year across the region and to DC and may potentially visit the UK approximately once per year.

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker and utilise and build on their understanding of US environmental, 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 legislatures, and non-governmental organisations.  They will be a self-starter, proactively developing ideas and strategies to foster UK-US collaboration on environmental, energy and climate priorities.  They will also have a proven track-record in working collaboratively in a team-setting.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Monitor and analyse US domestic environmental, energy, climate change, and low-carbon policies and initiatives, with a particular focus on subnational actors in Northeast US States and the Federal Government.
• Act as the Team Lead on 2-3 priority environment, climate and energy (ECE) policy sectors and themes at a national level.  Design and deliver projects and events to support closer UK-US collaboration on top ECE priority areas.
• Provide regular high-quality reporting (written and oral) on federal and regional 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.
• Advocate British interests with a range of key US interlocutors in the Northeast and at a federal level 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 effective and strategic relationships within Congress, the Federal Administration, state and local governments, 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 Northeast US to provide expertise, advice and resources on environment, energy and climate issues, as well as deliver relevant projects.
• Contribute to broader Consulate and US network initiatives and programmes delivering benefits for the UK, for example collaborating with science and business teams to support the UK government’s growth mission.

Resources managed:

• 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 climate and energy projects where you will be responsible for delivery including monitoring spend.

• Minimum of 4 years relevant experience is required. A previous role focused on international and/or US climate/energy/environmental/ policy is preferred.
• Ability to work as part of a team spread across different posts.
• 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.
• Knowledge of US environmental, climate and energy stakeholders including knowledge of Northeast States and municipal government policy landscapes.
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally.