Main purpose of job:

The successful applicant will play a key role in shaping the UK Government’s work to help protect Ecuador’s rainforests, as part of a regional strategy focused on the Amazon Basin. This is an exciting position within the Embassy’s Environment & Economic Diplomacy team and will involve collaborating with national stakeholders as well as UK Government officials in London and across Amazon country Embassies.

The jobholder will identify and unlock opportunities to assist Ecuador in protecting, restoring and sustainably managing its forests. They will do this by supporting the development of a country strategy and project portfolio for UK funding on forests, land use, climate, energy, and green finance in Ecuador, as well as overseeing elements of project design and implementation. This will focus in particular on projects funded through the International Climate Finance (ICF).  Mapping and promoting climate and green growth goals between Ecuador and the United Kingdom, supporting a transition that contributes to shared global objectives will be relevant.

A key responsibility of the job holder will be overseeing the development and delivery of projects, ensuring high quality and timely outcomes. Flexibility to provide support on the design, implementation, management and/or oversight of other new ICF programmes is required.

Building strong relationships and engagement with external stakeholders will be key, including national and subnational government, and non-government stakeholders. The jobholder will also collaborate closely with other colleagues at British Embassy Quito, UK embassies throughout the Amazon region and officials from the UK’s International Climate Finance. In addition, the role will contribute to the Embassy’s wider climate and development agenda.

The jobholder will report to the Head of the Environment & Economic Diplomacy Team in the British Embassy Quito and will also liaise directly with the UK’s Amazon Regional Strategy Coordinator based in the region, and a focal point from the UK’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). 
Occasional internal and international travel will be required.  

Roles and responsibilities:

Strategy development and contextual analysis (20%)

• Develop a strong understanding of existing UK Government policy, strategy and forest, energy and climate programmes, as well as relevant work by other actors in Ecuador (e.g. national and subnational governments, multilateral development banks, NGOs, other donor countries).
• Contribute to the development and updating of a country strategy for UK funding on forest, terrestrial biodiversity, climate, energy, and green finance in Ecuador, identifying priority areas/themes for future support in this area.
• Identify opportunities and risks for aligning UK-supported initiatives and programme activities with the delivery of wider Ecuadorean and regional objectives on biodiversity loss, climate change and poverty reduction.
• Proactively engage with a range of Ecuadorean stakeholders, the UK’s Amazon Regional Strategy Coordinator, the UK International Forests Unit (IFU) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) team to refine the strategy.
• Arrange orientation and briefing for visiting UK officials or deliver partners associated with the strategy, providing local knowledge, understanding and advice.

Project oversight/programme management (40%)

• Develop a strong understanding of the rules, procedures and best practices associated with programme and project management in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and apply these to any implemented projects.
• Lead oversight of the forest and climate sector portfolio in Ecuador, shaping and reviewing delivery partners’ development and delivery of projects and their alignment with Embassy’s the Country Business Plan, and His Majesty’s Government Strategies for Climate, Nature & Energy, and International Climate Finance delivery.
• Monitor and assess risks and opportunities associated with engagement and programming in Ecuador. Report clearly to the programme team and take remedial actions as necessary.
• Monitor and provide programme management support to the wider ICF portfolio. This includes ensuring delivery partners are meeting agreed objectives, local and global results are maximised, and risks are controlled. Help programmes exceed expectations: e.g., by building greater political momentum; integration with other policy and finance initiatives; and better outcomes for businesses and private investors.

Stakeholder engagement and visibility (30%)

• Build a strong network with a wide range of professionals at local, national, regional and international levels. Draw on this network to shape development and refinement of the country strategy on forests, as well the focus of projects.
• Positioning the UK’s leadership in science, research, education and diplomacy to positively influence the climate, through knowledge, science and inclusive partnerships.
• Provide an effective and professional service when liaising with colleagues, delivery partners, stakeholders and the public, using tact and diplomacy to encourage effective working.
• Respond to enquiries from key stakeholders to provide information in line with agreed protocols and procedures.
• Support projects by developing and identifying communication resources required, ensuring all materials and resources are current and appropriate.
• Lead on the preparation and coordination of visits by UK officials to Ecuador, including ICF programme monitoring visits.
• Increase UK’s visibility and impact by strengthening communications, disseminating key messages to stakeholders, and supporting Ministerial and senior UK officers engagement for visits to Ecuador.

Other (10%)

• Support and advice the Environment and Economic Diplomacy Team in its work dynamics to achieve their goals.
• Deliver wider mission critical work as required as part of the team at British Embassy Quito.
• Summarise correspondence, reports and compile letters, ensuring that deadlines are met.
• Assess and prioritise own workload within given timeframe, to meet project schedules.
• Manage own workload and activities, including emails and diary management.
• Participate in self-development to continually improve performance/systems and undertake development activities that are identified.

The above is an indicative outline of likely tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the Embassy. These responsibilities may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Resources managed: 

• Potential line management of interns/associates.

Essential on arrival 

Qualifications

• Degree qualification in climate change, biodiversity, environmental sciences, or similar fields.
• Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Training or equivalent on the job experience of in project/programme management.

Knowledge and experience

• At least 5 years of experience in similar role in project/programme management in public sector or with bilateral/multilateral organisations.
• At least 5 years of experience working with local and international partners in project implementation and monitoring.
• Experience working with governments, private sector and non-governmental organisations on environment.
• Ability to develop and work through a strong network of stakeholders within and beyond your organisation.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship-building skills.
• English and Spanish Language; fluency and professional proficiency required in both.
• Experience drafting briefing papers, reports, and presentations tailored to different audiences.
• Experience organising events, conferences, field excursions and workshops with different target audiences.
• The right to work in Ecuador.

Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish, on complex matters, often requiring persuasion and influence.
• Ability to identify strategic opportunities and risks, underlying drivers, and connections, especially political and reputational implications.
• Ability to effectively be part of a team which is dispersed across the region and in the UK.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the proven ability to navigate and resolve conflicts among diverse or challenging stakeholders.
• Effective organization, prioritization, and planning skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative and organize own workload without supervision, working to tight and often changing timescales.
• Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to cope with uncertainty and change. Resilience to pro-actively develop solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to handle sensitive information from internal and external sources whilst always adhering to best practices of confidentiality.
• Computer literate and proficient user of Microsoft programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel, Microsoft Teams, Copilot, and SharePoint.
• Able to deliver during periods of significant pressure from competing demands.