Legal Adviser - Energy and Natural Resources

Legal Adviser - Energy and Natural Resources (ENR)

£80,672 p.a. + benefits

Central London, Pall Mall SW1

Closing date: 22 January 2026, 17:00 GMT

The Commonwealth Secretariat seeks to appoint a Legal Adviser (Energy and Natural Resources) in our Climate Change and Ocean (CCO) Directorate. The CCO Directorate is one of the three Programme Directorates of the Commonwealth Secretariat. It is responsible for delivering on two strategic pillars of the Secretariat’s Strategic Plan, Sustainable and inclusive economic and social development and Climate-resilient and low-carbon development to respond to climate and ocean emergencies. A significant part of the Directorate’s work is of a consultancy and advisory nature, delivered through a combination of in-house and external expertise.

The Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Section within the CCO Directorate is responsible for delivering Commonwealth strategic mandates relating to sustainable energy and natural resources. For over 55 years, the Commonwealth Secretariat has provided independent expert advice and practical support to governments in the sustainable development of energy and natural resources.

Reporting to the Head of ENR, the Legal Adviser will provide advisory services to support Commonwealth countries advance climate-resilient economic development, improve energy security, reduce energy poverty, strengthen social and environmental protections, limit climate change and secure a just energy transition.

The Legal Adviser will work individually and in multi-disciplinary teams on a portfolio of projects. ENR current projects include designing and implementing governance reforms of mining sectors (including deep seabed mining and critical minerals), energy sectors (oil, gas, renewable), including revenue management and sovereign wealth funds, emission reduction, carbon taxation, climate finance, energy transition planning and implementation of low-carbon energy systems.

To be considered, you will need a post-graduate degree in law, with a specialisation in the extractive and energy sectors; A minimum of ten years of experience at a senior level in the practice of law and in advising governments on the implementation of projects related to the governance of energy and extractives, in particular, the mining industry and/or low carbon systems and developments; you should be qualified to practice law in a Commonwealth jurisdiction; Demonstrated skills in: policy advisory, legislative drafting, contracts and negotiations in extractives and/or energy, and dealing with high-level government officials. Alos prior experience in: an international context, gained in an international or intergovernmental organisation, a government ministry or the private sector.

Please note that this job involves frequent overseas travel.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 member governments and provides guidance on policymaking, technical assistance and advisory services to Commonwealth member countries. We support governments to help achieve sustainable, inclusive and equitable development.

Please apply by submitting a CV and cover letter. Covering letters should be structured to address the key criteria required in the person specification, giving clear examples.

To join us, you must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country.