Who are we?

The British Embassy in Bishkek is seeking a new Climate and Infrastructure Policy Manager to support its Central Asia Development and Programme Team (CADPT). The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) handles the United Kingdom’s foreign affairs and development programmes. Its Central Asia Development and Programme Team (CADPT) manages development programmes in the region. The team is led by a Regional Development Director sitting in the British Embassy in Tashkent (BE Tashkent) and comprises British and local staff in-country and the UK. CADPT has a regional climate programme, “Climate, Energy and Water Security in Central Asia” (CEW-CA) which is managed by a UK based Regional Climate Adviser and other members of the Climate Team. The Climate and Infrastructure Policy Manager in Bishkek will work on regional and national climate, energy and water resources issues.

Main purpose of job: 

• Providing strategic and policy advice on climate, infrastructure, environment, energy and water issues to CADPT and BE Bishkek – sometimes to very tight deadlines.
• Building strong working level networks with external partners, ministries and development partners; engaging on key climate, infrastructure, governance related issues in an evolving landscape.
• Tracking trends and undertaking research/analysis on climate change and maintaining thematic briefs.
• Programme management: supporting implementation of CEW-CA and the management of risks, finance and operations in line with FCDO policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge management: ensuring knowledge management systems are updated and information is shared across teams.
• Supporting diplomacy outcomes, e.g. on the Conference of the Parties (COP) and wider lobbying priorities working with the Regional Climate Adviser and Climate Team. Following political developments and identifying governance opportunities and constraints that deliver on the UK’s climate ambition.
• Working in a team. The Bishkek embassy and the regional development team are small units which require everyone to lean in from time to time to get tasks done.

The Climate and Infrastructure Policy Manager will be the climate and infrastructure lead for Kyrgyzstan and will have the following responsibilities:

CADPT (60%):

• Support the priorities set by the Regional Climate Adviser.
• Work closely with the Senior Regional Infrastructure Adviser on issues in Kyrgyzstan and across Central Asia on large infrastructure and the services they are providing.
• Help to deliver CEW-CA by working with the Climate Team and the implementing partners.
• Liaising and building strong partnerships and relationships with working level contacts in the relevant government, civil society, business and development partners and participating in events.
• Work with the British Embassy’s Regional Communications Officer to increase public awareness of FCDO programmes.

BE Bishkek (30%):

• Own delivery of the climate and infrastructure Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) in BE Bishkek’s Country Business Plan, ensuring alignment across different functional teams and departments.
• Brief the Ambassador and other embassy colleagues on climate and infrastructure issues in Kyrgyzstan and across the region.
• Liaise with other embassy teams and UK government partners to ensure the UK’s OKRs for Central Asia and Kyrgyzstan are delivered.
• Build and leverage relationships with private sector and other non-governmental organisations in Kyrgyzstan and internationally to deliver OKRs.
• Support climate, infrastructure and governance related events, and incoming CADPT visits.

Misc (10%):

• Continue professional development and expand technical and other relevant skills.
• There will be opportunities for travel in the region.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

Our Ideal Candidate shows: 

• fluency at C1 level in English and Russian according to the CEFR Framework*.
• At least five years of experience in climate, infrastructure, energy and water resources management.
• Strong organizational, analytical and time management skills, with high attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• A self-starter that can work well individually, and be willing to help the team get the job done.
• Flexible, reliable ‘can-do’ attitude.
• IT-literate specifically in Microsoft Office.