Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
The British Embassies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have a vacancy for a Climate
Change and Energy Policy Officer. This is for a full-time, fixed-term contract
until 31st March 2025.
The jobholder will lead on the embassy 's bilateral engagement on climate
change, nature and energy, including diplomatic action to tackle climate
change, support the transition to Net Zero and meet the UK's energy security
objectives. The jobholder will work closely with the embassy's COP28 Liaison
Officer to support preparations for the 28th Conference of the Parties of the
UNFCCC (COP28).
The jobholder may be based in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai and will be required
to travel between both locations as required in order effectively to engage
with the embassy's internal and external stakeholders across the UAE.
The jobholder will be responsible and accountable for delivery in the
following areas:
Policy engagement
* Lead on UK bilateral policy engagement on climate change, nature and energy issues with the UAE system, including building long-term partnerships guided by the UK-UAE Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Climate and Environment collaboration and the UK-UAE MoU on Clean Energy.
* Help shape the UK 's strategic energy relationship with the UAE, working closely with the Department of Business and Trade and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to ensure that policy, trade and investment objectives are complementary.
* Develop and maintain strong relations with key contacts across the UAE, including in the UAE government, business, media, civil society and other diplomatic missions, representing the UK in external meetings and networks.
* Advise on and support engagement between senior officials and ministers and their UAE counterparts, including by providing insightful briefing for meetings and visits.
* Develop and maintain strong relations with key stakeholders in the UK government (including the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Cabinet Office), acting as a focal point for climate policy requests from UK government departments. Coordinate with the relevant departments on engagement with the UAE, providing expert advice on how best to engage the UAE system on issues of importance to the UK, including advising on UAE priorities and local sensitivities.
* Contribute to UK policy development through researching, analysing and explaining UAE climate and energy trends and policy developments, identifying potential issues, and providing expert advice on campaigns, programmes and submissions for Ministers.
* Ensuring the Embassy's work supports efforts towards long-term emissions reductions (Net Zero by 2050), adaptation and resilience objectives and mobilisation of finance, with the UK working in partnership with the UAE to implement and build on the outcomes of COP26 and COP27.
Projects and visits
* Design, develop and manage projects that support UK objectives, drawing on the FCDO 's Gulf Strategy Fund and Climate Diplomacy Fund.
* Facilitate visits by UK Ministers and senior officials to the UAE in support of UK climate, energy and environment objectives, working with others to design and shape programmes that make best use of visitors' time, to support policy, commercial and communications priorities. Contribute to briefing packs and oral briefings and provide timely reports and analysis after the visits.
* Facilitate participation of UK delegations in high-profile events in UAE in the build-up to COP28 and during the UAE's Presidency.
COP28 Support
* Working closely with the embassy 's COP28 Liaison Officer, support delivery of the UK's policy goals and stakeholder engagement for COP28 and provide practical support to the UK delegation for COP28, including by acting as the lead policy officer for ministerial visits during the conference.
Communications
* Work with the embassy communication teams to take a strategic approach to communications, raising the profile of climate issues, UK climate action and partnerships with the UAE.
Regional engagement
* Work with the UK 's climate, prosperity and energy leads in embassies across GCC countries and the wider MENA region to understand and analyse wider trends, such as the implications of climate change and the net zero transition for the economic diversification agendas in the Gulf's hydrocarbon economies and for global energy security, and to develop joint strategies to encourage high ambition on tackling climate change.
Resources Managed
* Oversight of projects (Gulf Strategy Fund and Climate Diplomacy Fund)
The above list is not exhaustive and may be subject to change. The jobholder
will be required to be flexible and to take on other duties, projects and
tasks as required. The jobholder will also be expected to play a full role in
the embassy 's emergency planning and any crisis response.
Key behaviours required:
* Seeing the bigger picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
* Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others
* Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
* Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
* Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
* Developing Self and Others - Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
* A minimum of 2 years' experience working for an organisation in a relevant field, for example working with/for a national government, international organisation or agency, preferably on climate change and energy policy issues.
* Knowledge of international climate and energy policy and strong understanding of the main drivers of climate change and energy policies in the UAE and in the UK, with relevant experience either from university or professional work experience.
* Ability to see the big picture, to see and describe climate change and energy issues in the UAE and across MENA at a bilateral, regional and multilateral level.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely in English, both orally and in written communication.
* Advocacy and policy engagement experience, with demonstrable experience of developing a strong professional network and building influence with multiple stakeholders; ability positively to engage public and private sector and civil society actors and gain commitment for action.
* Ability to manage a varied and complex workload to deliver high quality outcomes, planning and prioritising work to meet tight deadlines.
* A team player, who is able to bring others with them and to work with a diverse range of colleagues and external contacts (e.g. government, academic, civil society and business groups) to build consensus on common action.
* Proactive approach to problem solving.
* Strong IT skills using Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and the internet.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
* Bachelor's degree (or equivalent work experience) in a relevant field, for example Public Policy, Public Administration, International Relations, Economics, Climate and Environmental Science, etc.
* Experience of multilateral negotiations (e.g. UNFCCC).
* Project management experience or qualification.
* Experience of working for the UK or other governments in a policy role.
* Experience of working in the UAE, coupled with good cultural awareness and business knowledge.
Required behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace,
Communicating and Influencing, Working Together, Developing Self and Others
Application deadline Application deadline - day Application deadline - month
Application deadline - year
29 March 2023
Grade
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Type of Position
Full-time
Working hours per week
35
Region
Middle East & North Africa
Country/Territory
United Arab Emirates
Location (City)
Abu Dhabi, Dubai
Type of Post
British Embassy
Number of vacancies
1
Salary Currency
AED
Salary
23,238
Start Date Start Date - day Start Date - month Start Date - year
1 May 2023
End Date End Date - day End Date - month End Date - year
31 March 2025
Other benefits and conditions of employment
The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration
package for this role, including 25 days of leave per annum.
Salary is AED 23,238 per month.
There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No
accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this
position.
The Embassy is open from Monday to Friday, from 07:30 to 18:00. Normal weekly
working hours are thirty-five (35) hours per week, net of breaks.
The role can be based in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, however the jobholder will
be required to travel frequently between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and will be
expected to attend the UNFCCC COP28 at Dubai Expo in December 2023.
The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the
Embassy's sponsorship.
Additional information
How to apply:
Interested candidates must include in their online application form
* an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
* a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and
* example(s), in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required.
Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.
Closing date for applications is at 23:55 UAE local time on 29th March
2023
Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
Process:
The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take
around two - three months. You may experience some delay in the progress of
this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.
Due to the large number of applications, we receive, only those shortlisted
for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the
successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures.
Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable
clearances.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a 'reserve
list'. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar
role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent
candidate.
The British Embassies Abu Dhabi / Dubai are an equal opportunities employer,
dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country
Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net
site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites,
however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you
complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive
it.