FCDO: SG – Climate, Energy and Nature Attaché, HEO – Singapore

Main purpose of job:

The British government is seeking a Climate, Energy and Nature Attaché to support delivery of the UK Government’s climate change, energy and nature policy objectives in Singapore. This includes scaling nature and climate finance, accelerating global and regional energy transition and driving ambition and action in Singapore on global climate and nature goals.  The successful candidate will help advance UK-Singapore cooperation by driving forward implementation of the UK-Singapore Green Economy Framework and climate and energy elements of the Prime Minister-level UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership. They will develop and maintain constructive and collaborative relationships with stakeholders across Singapore Government, private industry, and the third sector.

The job holder will report to the Singapore Climate, Energy and Nature Team Leader and work closely with other co-located teams at the British High Commission, particularly colleagues working to the UK’s Department for Business and Trade and the Science and Technology Network.

Climate & nature is a top UK Government priority, and Singapore is an important partner for the UK – on this and many other issues.  This role provides a fantastic opportunity to leverage the commitment, expertise and leadership of both partner nations to drive progress on this critical issue in our respective countries, and across the wider Southeast Asia region.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

The successful candidate will work as part of a small team in the British High Commission alongside stakeholders and colleagues from across UK Government to:

• Shape and progress UK climate, energy and nature policy objectives (15%): Support development and delivery of climate, energy and nature elements of the Singapore Country Plan and strategy, particularly through implementation of the climate and sustainability elements of the UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership and Green Economy Framework (GEF). Themes include: raising climate ambition and securing policy alignment in the lead-up to UNFCCC negotiations; accelerating regional low carbon energy projects; enabling green transport initiatives; promoting the development of high integrity carbon and nature markets; scaling and mobilising sustainable finance; protecting nature and biodiversity; and progressing adaptation and resilience plans.
• Conceive and implement innovative, high impact engagements to translate that strategy into real world effect (25%): Work with colleagues across UK Government, private sector and Singaporean partners to advance shared Singapore-UK objectives on climate, energy & nature, including in the wider ASEAN region, with a particular focus on climate finance mobilisation and transport decarbonisation efforts. This includes developing proposals, bidding for funds and hands-on delivery of activities/outputs (e.g. dialogues, events, workshops, high-level visits, reports).
• Provide advice and analysis (25%): Provide expert policy analysis on developments in Singapore affecting climate, nature and energy priorities in southeast Asia, and advice to UK stakeholders tailored to the specific interests different Government departments have in climate, energy and nature policy. Be able to offer an expert and balanced assessment of the local context to enable effective and timely UK Government policy decisions.
• Build relationships and represent the UK effectively with Singapore stakeholders (15%): Seek out and develop new relationships with Singaporean government, diplomatic, private and third sector community to build the UK’s profile as an international leader on climate, nature and energy in Singapore. Support policy colleagues across the high commission to prioritise and deepen relationships with key stakeholders who can help advance the UK’s climate and energy priorities. Represent and communicate UK policies to external audiences in Singapore, including the Government, collaborating with supporting advocates within the wider diplomatic, private, and third sector community to raise awareness and secure buy-in.
• Use communications tools effectively (10%): Support on climate public diplomacy in close collaboration with the High Commission’s Communications Department, including events, workshops, and campaigns, strategically leveraging all communication tools at the High Commission’s disposal to advance our policy objectives and UK visibility.
• Build others’ capability on climate & nature (5%): Support colleagues across the High Commission, including the High Commissioner, to develop the expertise on climate and nature to be effective in delivering UK policy priorities on climate, energy and nature.

Share learning (5%): Work with climate, energy and nature counterparts across the Southeast Asia region and in London to share learning and help shape UK engagement with regional climate and nature initiatives, including through joint partnerships with Singapore.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Potential for line management of administrative support through an intern.

Oversight of project, programme, and administrative budgets of up to around SGD 500,000.

• Experience working on policy development in a climate, energy, or nature field
• A strong record on policy innovation and delivery
• Experience working independently/autonomously to deliver complex projects without day-to-day supervision
• Ability to manage competing priorities, prioritise and deliver results across multiple areas of work
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to write clearly, concisely and tailor briefing to different audiences
• Strong IT skills in all MS Office applications