View Vacancy – CLIMATE & NATURE POLICY OFFICER

Main purpose of job:

 The UK Government’s Mission to the United Nations (UKMIS) in New York has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and driven person to join the Sustainable Development and Economic (SDE) Team in the Humanitarian, Development and Peacebuilding (HPD) Section, as a Climate and Nature Policy Officer. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and advances the UK Government priorities on the Sustainable Development Goals at the United Nations, to make a real difference globally.

This is a chance to contribute directly to expanding the UK’s influence with the United Nations. The jobholder will undertake diplomatic work to help tackle the climate and nature crisis, as a top UK government priority. These issues cross-cut intergovernmental discussions in the UN General Assembly, its Second Committee and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and other multilateral and UN outside New York. They will be expected to build and maintain a network of internal and external contacts; help deliver engagement and influencing strategies; represent the UK in UN discussions and negotiations; provide policy advice and written/oral briefing to UK Ambassadors, Ministers, and other senior representatives, along with other work as required. The jobholder will be managed by the Policy Adviser for climate and nature, and work in a team alongside colleagues working on broader sustainable development and economic issues (macroeconomic, financing for development, and social development).

This is a critical time to be working on these issues at the UN as its Member States focus on how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development its 17 Sustainable Development Goals at the halfway point towards the deadline, and with progress on mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss significantly off-track.  You will be working for a government who cares about this issue as a top priority, whose views are influential, and whose thought leadership and convening power are respected. The role of UKMIS is critical in supporting delivery of a wide range of UK government department views and objectives internationally at the UN.

UKMIS 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.  It also promotes a culture of flexibility, which enables people to better maintain wellness through a work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including some remote working and flexible hours, where possible.  In this role, you would be working in a diverse international environment working with UK diplomats and other country-based staff, armed forces personnel, UK government officials based in the UK and across the UK overseas network, foreign diplomats and UN officials.

Roles and responsibilities:

 Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, those outlined below. The successful candidate should be prepared to work flexibly across a range of tasks, including:

• Work with the Climate & Nature Policy Adviser and others in the team to develop, drive and deliver UK strategies, engagement plans and communications campaigns on climate and nature issues at the UN across relevant Sustainable Development Goals, to advance the UK’s international leadership.
• Represent the UK on climate and nature policy issues at the United Nations HQ, including in Second Committee negotiations (annually Oct-Nov), wider General Assembly and ECOSOC consultations and events, and working with HQ and member states to develop and promote UK positions and offers
• Help shape UK engagement on climate and nature policy issues for the annual UN General Assembly, UN Forum on Forests, UN High Level Political Forum (July), and environmental COPs.
• Act as a focal point across climate and nature policy at UKMis, coordinating short-and long-term climate and nature engagement priorities, and scoping and planning opportunities in the UN / international calendar to help deliver UK objectives through meetings, events, and visits.
• Take a day-to-day lead role on several specific topics within the climate and nature policy, including, but not limited to, biodiversity, forests, disaster risk reduction, and agriculture and food security.
• Work with UK government departments in HQ and at posts (including BCG, FCDO Energy, Climate & Environment leads, DEFRA, DESNZ, Geneva, Nairobi, DC, Bonn) to develop UK positions, feedback political developments, and influence policy and strategy
• Develop and use strong relationships with other member states, the UN Secretariat and agencies (e.g. UN Climate Action Team, UNDP, UNEP, UNFCCC, FAO, UNEA), and New York focal points for the World Bank, IMF, G77+, G20, G7 and SIDS to understand and report on stakeholder priorities, capitalise on opportunities in the international calendar, and help advance collective action on international climate and nature issues.
• Contribute to advancing the UK’s priorities for UNFCCC, CBD and UNCCD Conferences of Parties through complementary engagement at United National HQ.
• Develop expertise on UN and member state perspectives, processes, systems and procedures to advise colleagues across UKMis, FCDO and other government departments on UN working.
• Support delivery across UKMis New York operations as needed, including for Ministerial and Senior Official visits and events, briefing and statements, including for the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week (Sept).
• Contribute to making UKMis a great place to be, through engaging in wider cross-mission visits, events, corporate activities, learning and development.

• Two to three years of relevant work experience
• Excellent written and oral communication including public speaking
• Strong organisational, project and time management skills, with very good attention to detail
• Ability to manage competing priorities, and prioritise and deliver results across multiple areas of work
• Keen and flexible team player
• Excellent networking skills with the ability to develop and maintain long-lasting relationships at all levels
• Flexible and resilient under pressure, and decisive, with a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Teams