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Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission (BHC) in Ghana is seeking an experienced and qualified specialist to lead UK objectives focused on climate and nature, under the People and Planet Pillar of the Country Business Plan, encompassing forestry and carbon markets, assisting the Commission’s wider climate objectives.

This role is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated individual to leverage their network and policy expertise to influence change. You will be part of a fast-paced and supportive team, leading a key strand of our renewed 3-year strategy, working in partnership with the Government of Ghana and other external stakeholders. Your contributions will promote and enable sustainable, low-carbon development in Ghana, and ensure climate and environment considerations are well integrated cross the UK’s wider engagement in Ghana.

The UK has a range of centrally managed programmes with a footprint in Ghana. These cut across forestry, carbon markets, and wider nature and environment for which you will provide in‑country technical and diplomatic leadership. This role will ensure delivery is well targeted, well-coordinated, and work alongside the BHC’s infrastructure advisor to support Ghana’s ambition to mobilise climate finance while protecting forests and biodiversity.

The jobholder will be expected to build and maintain senior relationships with Government of Ghana counterparts, including the Environmental Protection Agency and Forestry Commission, Ministries of lands and natural resources, the office of the Minister of state for climate change and sustainability, civil society and private sector actors, and on occasion support UK representation in high‑level dialogues (e.g. COP and other international climate commitments).

Roles and responsibilities:

1. Sector leadership (Climate & Nature): Provide strategic leadership to shape how UK partnerships can deliver forest protection, nature and climate goals in Ghana. Collaborate closely with country economists, advisers, and wider Growth team to align efforts, as well as climate and nature officials in London and across West Africa. This includes liaising closely with the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in particular the International Forest Unit (IFU), ensuring alignment between in‑country engagement and UK policy and programme priorities.

2. Programme oversight and coordination: Oversee and coordinate existing centrally managed programmes on forestry, carbon market and nature as well as shaping future work in Ghana and ensure strong technical quality assurance across relevant portfolios. This includes (acronyms relate to specific programmes):

  • Lead UK technical engagement on REDD+, forest carbon credits and voluntary carbon markets, including LEAF Coalition implementation and scale up of benefit sharing structures.
  • Support delivery and coordination across AIM4Forests, IFSLU2 and FGMC2 in close collaboration with programme teams and national stakeholders.
  • Provide advice to BHC and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) on UK‑Ghana Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) developments and sustainable timber governance.
  • Provide regular updates on donor priorities and actions linked to forests and mining to identify synergies and reduce duplication.

3. Stakeholder engagement, coordination and representation: Build and maintain senior networks across Government of Ghana, key relevant agencies, development partners, UN agencies, NGOs and private sector actors to inform policy and programming, and influence change. In particular

  • Maintain strong relationships with the Forestry Commission, key forestry and environmental CSOs to strengthen situational awareness and evidence for diplomatic engagement.
  • Engage with the Environmental Protection Agency and relevant stakeholders on Ghana’s carbon framework and registry development; and on International Climate Commitments such as National Determined Contribution pledges and Adaptation Plans.
  • Support engagement with carbon market developers, sharing lessons and providing technical input as required.

4. Climate and nature diplomacy (COP): Support BHC engagement in the run-up to and during COPs or other high-level events to amplify Ghana and wider African ambition on forests, nature and climate finance. Represent climate and nature interests in cross‑departmental discussions at post (including with DBT and upstream threat teams).

5. Agriculture: Although primary agricultural production is not a core office priority, staying informed about developments in the sector and providing advice on issues relevant to agroforestry, carbon markets, and deforestation may also be expected.

6. Internal Cohesion: docking into the People & Planet strategy pillar lead, to provide technical leadership on climate and nature, developing briefings, reports, and presentations to support the BHC’s diplomatic goals, business planning, and strategic initiatives. This will also include horizon scanning, identifying and signposting new opportunities. Collaboration with the wider Growth pillar team is expected to deliver BHC Accra’s wider programming and broader climate objectives. Finally, they will need to work with cross thematic areas for coherence on issues such as Women & Girls.

Resources managed:

No line management requirements, though previous experience managing people is desirable in case of future team structure changes.


Essential qualifications, skills and experience

In FCDO Climate Advisers are expected to demonstrate competencies as set out in the Climate, Environment, Infrastructure and Energy (CEIE) Technical Competency Framework - GOV.UK as this is an officer position, proficiency is expected at foundation or practitioner level across climate & environment, nature and diplomacy competencies.

Further, capabilities cut across:

  • expertise and thought leadership in international policy and investment, applicable across a range of themes and geographies, and with a focus on development impact
  • use of evidence to inform policy and programming including the use of political economy analysis
  • policy and programme delivery, from design through to implementation and appraisal
  • international influence and diplomacy, thinking and working politically and cooperatively, and through appropriate challenge, to shape norms and approaches
  • brokering partnerships with governments, civil society, the private sector, multilaterals, research organisations and professional bodies in the UK and globally
  • safeguarding to ensure the UK does-no-harm by integrating gender equality, child protection, disability inclusion, preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment

Essential:

  • Advanced Degree: An undergraduate’s degree in climate change, natural resource governance, environmental science, or a related field such as environmental economics or Equivalent Experience
  • Professional Experience: A minimum of 3 years of full-time professional experience, demonstrating expertise in research or practical work focused on climate change and sustainable development themes.
  • Relevant Experience in Ghana: Proven experience working directly on forestry, carbon market and/or nature initiatives in Ghana is highly desirable.
  • Policy Landscape Familiarity: A solid understanding of the institutional and policy framework related to climate & nature in Ghana and international architecture for dialogue and action on climate change
  • Technical Competencies: Experience and expertise that align with the FCDO’s climate and environment technical competencies, as mentioned in the framework referenced above.

Language requirements:

Language: English (ability to understand, write and speak English without difficulty)

Level of language required: Proficient


Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

  • Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and well-structured documents on diverse topics quickly.
  • Problem-Solving Ability: Demonstrated capacity for problem-solving and developing mutually beneficial solutions in challenging situations during project preparation and implementation with stakeholders.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Proven ability to navigate multicultural environments and establish effective working relationships with colleagues, partners, and government representatives.
  • Program Management Experience: Previous experience in delivering development or climate programs, with a solid understanding of program management cycles.
  • FCDO Knowledge: Familiarity with FCDO operational and analytical products, as well as insights into international development and climate change strategies and plans, is a plus.
  • An established network with the Forestry Commission and /or the carbon office at EPA, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Transition environment division
  • Working knowledge of agriculture sector: working knowledge of agroforestry and agriculture as a driver of deforestation is a plus