Climate and Nature Adviser, Sustainable Development Team

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 Adviser. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and advances UK Government priorities on the Sustainable Development Goals at the United Nations (UN), to make a real difference globally.

This is a chance to contribute directly to expanding the UK’s influence within the UN. The jobholder will undertake strategic 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 fora outside New York. They will be expected to build and maintain a network of internal and external contacts; develop 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 manage a policy officer, and work in a team alongside colleagues working on broader sustainable development issues (on 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 and 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. This year is a pivotal point to influence, with UN conferences on the three Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD) this year, and the 3rd UN Oceans Conference coming up in 2025. 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.

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.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate their abilities in strategic awareness and planning, working with others, delivering results at pace, communicating and influencing, creative problem solving, good judgement and decision-making. There will be scope for the portfolio to grow as the jobholder gains experience in the role. You will work in a fast-paced and changing environment and must be willing to support other team members and priorities, including outside your portfolio, as needed.

Roles and responsibilities

• Develop and deliver strategies, engagement plans and communications campaigns to guide and increase the UK’s international leadership on climate and nature issues
• Represent the UK on climate and nature policy issues at United Nations HQ, including in Second Committee negotiations (annually Oct-Nov), wider General Assembly and ECOSOC discussions and events, working with HQ and member states to develop and promote UK positions and offers
• Shape UK engagement on climate and nature issues for the 3rd International Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (Dec 2024), UN Oceans Conference (June 2025), 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (June/July 2025), and World Social Summit (2025)
• Provide high-quality advice for UK Ambassadors, Ministers and HQ Senior Civil Servants on key climate and nature issues being debated at the UN to support ability to influence at a senior level
• Line manage one Climate & Environment Policy Officer
• Work with UK government departments in HQ and at posts (including BCG, FCDO Energy, Climate & Environment leads, Climate & Environment Advisers, DEFRA, DESNZ, Nairobi, Geneva, 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, UNOHRLLS, UNEP), 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 influence on UK priorities
• 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 leading on Ministerial and Senior Official visits and events, briefing and statements, including for the annual UN Forum on Forests, UN High Level Political Forum (July), UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week (Sept)
• Contribute to advancing the UK’s priorities for UNFCCC, CBD and UNCCD Conferences of Parties through complementary engagement at United National HQ
• Help upskill the wider UKMis New York office on climate and nature priorities
• Contribute to making the UK Mission a great place to be, through engaging in wider cross-mission visits, events, corporate activities, learning and development

Resources managed (staff and expenditure)

• x 1 EO Climate & Environment Policy Officer

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Demonstrated relevant work experience
• Expertise on international climate, nature and sustainable development issues and policy
• Excellent written and oral communication including public speaking, particularly with senior stakeholders
• Excellent research skills and ability to produce briefings and reports for a range of audiences
• Strong organisational, project and time management skills, with excellent 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
• Legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application

Please note: Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. The UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents, A and NATO visa holders with EAD cards, and L2 visa holders with an up-to-date I-94 form.

If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK Government. We cannot accept student Visas (J, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P). If you hold a work visa, it is best to check your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Experience of working within the United Nations System
• University degree in international development and/or climate and nature
• Experience in line management
• Experience of national or international policy development
• Experience of international climate, nature and sustainable development issues or negotiations
• Strong networks within the UK Government among climate and nature policy leads
• Networks within relevant staff in the UN and other member states

Other benefits and conditions of employment

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.

Working patterns

This role is full-time. It is externally-facing and requires some core hours and regular contact with colleagues in New York as well as different time zones. It may require some out of hours work during peak periods (e.g. UNGA)

UKMis New York and the US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home up to 40% per week (2 days). We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.

The FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.

Job Category

UK Mission

Job Subcategory

UKMIS (UK Mission to the United Nations)

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

Application deadline

13 October 2024

Grade

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

40

Location

UK Mission to the United Nations, New York

Number of vacancies

1

Salary

USD $87,130/annum (gross)

Start Date

2 December 2024