Climate Change & Nature Policy Officer

Main purpose of job:

Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing our world. The UK has responded with some of the world’s most ambitious legislation and domestic targets, embedding the green economy in all our industrial, research and growth strategies. Internationally, the UK is one of the most significant contributors to international climate finance and active in pressing for global ambition in line with the 2015 Paris agreement to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees.

South Africa is a key strategic partner. 1) The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between South Africa and other countries including the UK, France, Germany and the EU (announced at COP26 in Glasgow, November 2021) is all about supporting SA to meet its ambitious 2030 NDC commitments, doing so in a just way. 2) As a developing country under UNFCCC, South Africa is dealing with the twin challenges of adapting to, and building resilience against climate impact that is already occurring and increasing; 3) As an influential member of the Africa Group, the G77 +China, G20, BRICS, South Africa is a key player in securing real progress within the UNFCCC negotiation process.

The British High Commission is looking for a Climate Change and Nature Policy Officer to deliver reporting and briefing on climate change and nature issues including just energy transition, adaptation and the illegal wildlife trade. Key to delivery of the role will be relationship-building at working level with partners across government, NGOs, civil society and business. The role will also involve supporting the delivery of events including UK ministerial visits to South Africa and BHC climate and nature engagements hosted by the High Commissioner. It will involve occasional travel around South Africa including to Cape Town.

You will have your finger on the pulse monitoring and promptly reporting on climate and policy developments in SA and their implications. The role includes supporting UK diplomatic action linked to implementation of the JETP, the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Conferences of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

It is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of this key area of UK-South Africa collaboration. The post holder will contribute to the development of a vision for how to grow a long-term UK-South Africa climate relationship. This role will report to the Head of Climate Change & Nature and will be expected to develop strong links with other colleagues working on JETP, Development, Economic Growth, Science and Technology and Trade teams.

Roles and responsibilities:

• To maintain an effective understanding of relevant climate and nature developments in South Africa and produce written reports on these developments and their implications.
• To develop stakeholder relationships at working level across government (including at sub-national level), NGOs, civil society and business to gain broad insights into climate and nature developments in South Africa.
• To coordinate with UK colleagues on climate and nature engagement with South Africa, advising on local sensitivities and priorities. This will include contributing to briefing for ministers and senior officials.
• To keep abreast of climate and nature-related developments and announcements on social and traditional media.
• To identify and recommend opportunities for UK in South Africa climate and nature communications on British High Commission social media.
• To support Ministerial and official visits from the UK related to climate and nature in South Africa.
• To use your local climate and nature knowledge to provide informed comments on bids to the UK’s Biodiversity Challenge Funds.
• To play an active part in the corporate life of the High Commission (including, if necessary, as a member of any High Commission Committees) to maximise the overall well-being of staff.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• The postholder might oversee a climate related outreach budget.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

We are looking for a proactive self-starter, able to work well with others and have a flexible approach to work whilst under pressure. Excellent interpersonal and communications skills to build strong relations within the High Commission and with a wide range of working level stakeholders in South Africa.

• University degree, preferably in Climate Change, Public Policy or related course.
• Minimum 5 years of work experience, ideally with some background in working with international stakeholders.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to adjust to different audiences.
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication and stakeholder relationship skills, confident with relationship-building.
• Be a flexible and creative problem-solver, able to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Experience providing administrative and logistical support.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Team player, driven by values.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• BA (Hons) or relevant postgraduate course.
• Solid knowledge of South Africa’s climate change policy, its international commitments and institutional framework.
• Sound network of contacts in political arena, government, private sector and civil societies.
• Knowledge of the low carbon/green sector.
• Knowledge of South Africa’s nature policy, its international commitments and institutional framework.
• Knowledge of UK climate and nature policy, technology and commercial capabilities, and its global leadership in the subject matter.