Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy Bangkok is a large diplomatic mission of around 150 staff delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK’s objectives including on economic and sustainable development, trade, security, open societies, consular services and law enforcement. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team.

The British Embassy Bangkok is recruiting a Climate Officer to support the UK Government’s work to combat climate change and tackle environmental issues in partnership with the Royal Thai Government.  

In Thailand, the UK’s activity on climate change spans diplomatic action and lobbying, events and media engagement to raise broader awareness of climate change risks and action, and a range of UK-funded technical assistance programmes. These programmes support the Royal Thai government in developing its policy and mechanisms to implement the low carbon transition. In particular, we partner with the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Thai financial regulators in areas such as just energy transition, climate adaptation, green finance, and carbon pricing.

The jobholder will be a member of the Economic and Sustainable Development (ESD) Team at the British Embassy Bangkok – a team which focuses on sustainable development partnerships on economic reform, digital, health, science, climate and environmental issues.

The UK and Thailand recently signed a Strategic Partnership which strengthens cooperation in a range of areas including economic, trade and investment; political, security and defence; climate change, energy and sustainable development; science and technology; health; agriculture and people-to-people links. This is an exciting role to support the Embassy’s delivery of our bilateral partnership.

The jobholder will be line managed by the Climate and Energy Attaché and support the UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerating Climate Transitions) Programme Manager. The jobholder will also be part of the UK’s Regional Southeast Asia Climate Networks. We are looking for a pro-active team player with a passion for making a difference and a background and interest in climate change and environmental management issues.

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

The jobholder will report to the Climate and Energy Attaché and work closely with the UK PACT Programme Manager of the British Embassy Bangkok ESD Team to: 
 

• Support UK engagement and relationships with the Royal Thai Government and other key internal or external stakeholders to promote actions on climate change and strategic environmental issues.
• Monitor climate and environmental policy and landscape in Thailand. Provide analysis and stakeholder engagement plan on key issues, including but not limited to climate action, renewable energy, green finance and carbon market, nature and biodiversity, marine and coastal protection, and pollution prevention, based on reporting, meetings with contacts, and relevant channels. Develop understanding of UK-Thailand policy priorities to shape the British Embassy actions.
• Build and maintain a broad network of contacts to raise the profile of these issues as required in response to global UK initiatives. This will include supporting engagement between senior officials (including the Head of Mission) and Ministers with some translation/interpretation if required.
• Work with the Science and Innovation Advisor (SIN) to develop UK-Thailand science, research, innovation and technology partnerships that are focused on climate and environmental areas. This will involve advising on programme activities as well as stakeholder mapping and engagement.
• In the context of all programmes, follow project management principles, and work with dedicated programme management teams to document the programme as required by UK processes, including identifying risks, financial management and carrying out monitoring and evaluation.
• Plan, organise and facilitate activities such as partnership meetings, knowledge sharing events, seminars, policy discussions. Prepare briefs, attend events, participate in meetings, write reports, and carry out follow-up actions where relevant.
• Manage the visits and events. Plan the visit agendas, coordinate with media and communication colleagues, and support the event preparation, as required.
• Provide ad hoc administrative support for climate work and the wider teams.
• In times of peak operation demand, work flexibly within the Section and within the Embassy.
• Make a corporate contribution, including a crisis response to the smooth running of the British Embassy, either through a committee membership or another voluntary role. Also take part in the Embassy-wide events to create an inclusive supportive working environment.

• Positive attitude, proactive, and resilient approach to work under light supervision.
• Good team player with a passion to make a difference and enhance the values of kindness and inclusion.
• Interest in climate change and environmental issues
• Ability to build stakeholder networks of government, academia, civil society and the private sector with a focus on climate and environmental management issues.
• Ability to think independently, research, and make policy recommendations.
• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly both orally and in writing when providing advice or responding to demands from colleagues.
• Ability to prioritise own workloads and adjust to accommodate urgent work items.

Language requirements: 

Language: English and Thai

Level of language required: 
English: Excellent command of spoken and written English, equivalent to IELTS 7 or above
Thai: Excellent command of spoken and written Thai