The British Embassy Baghdad has a vacancy for a Climate Policy Officer, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO), to join the Development Team.

The Development Team is the part of the British Embassy that provides core analysis and ideas to inform the UK’s development and climate work in Iraq. The UK’s objective in Baghdad is to help strengthen Iraq’s security, stability, economic sustainability, and tackle the underlying drivers of conflict.

This is a key role within the Embassy and will put the jobholder at the heart of decision making. The jobholder will focus on Climate and Environment issues in Iraq, developing a strong network of Iraqi and international contacts, providing in-depth knowledge and reporting, and supporting the delivery of our development programmes (focused on Climate and Environment). 

Duties and responsibilities:

This role will support the British Embassy’s work in Iraq by

– Monitoring, reporting, and analysis

• Closely follow climate and environmental issues in Iraq, working independently to provide fast, insightful, and concise analysis.
• Provide regular oral and written reports to update the UK Embassy and Ambassador, as well as teams in London, on key issues in relation to climate and environment. This will include fiscal and monetary provision for climate and environment, implementation including new legislation and policies; and public-private sector dialogue (working with other teams across the mission where relevant).
• Understand the Iraqi political environment and how this impacts climate and environmental reform.
• Work closely with the British Consulate General Erbil to oversee climate and environment issues in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

– Policy and programme development

• Contribute to the development and management of UK policy and programming to support Iraq’s Energy Transition, including aspects of the UK’s Integrated Security Fund (UKISF) programme (Climate Security) and Home Office (Climate Migration) as well as regional and centrally managed programmes (e.g., the Sand and Dust Storms programme under the Kuwait fund), spotting risks and opportunities, and working with Iraqi and UK stakeholders.

– Networking

• Engage, form, and manage relationships with relevant ministries and actors, including the Ministries of Environment, Water Resources, Electricity, and Oil as well as relevant interlocutors in the Prime Minister’s Office, UNDP, and the World Bank.
• With others from across the Embassy, you will manage relationships with key private sector organisations, civil society organisations, and other international embassies to complement and build on existing embassy relationships, making introductions to enable the UK to better understand climate and environment policy and activity.
• Recommend and arrange meetings for the team, including the Ambassador. This job requires a significant amount of in-person engagement, and you will be required to provide briefings ahead of meetings, attend meetings, and provide technical advice and translation.

– Ad hoc tasks

• Help organise visits to the UK for Iraqi stakeholders and visits to Iraq by UK officials. You will help draft notes verbales (NVs) when needed, using appropriate technical terms.
• Provide cover for the wider team when they are away from Baghdad, including 1x Climate Advisor (job grade G7).
• Support the wider Development Team as required, in particular, support around NVs and stakeholder management.

– Corporate

• Support wider Embassy activities based on your interests and development needs, such as the Chevening programme, major events (i.e., King’s Birthday Party), and promoting Wellbeing or Diversity & Inclusion within the Embassy.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future and this would be at the discretion of the line manager. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis.

Key behaviours required:

• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
• Seeing the Big Picture – Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• Developing Self and Others – Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others, and the organisation as a whole.
• Leadership – Show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.

Eligibility:

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as:

• We can obtain the appropriate level of local and UK security clearance for you; and
• You have (or be willing to obtain) the right to live and work in Iraq. Candidate’s residence permit and work permit, and the expense to obtain them, will be their own responsibility – the Embassy does not provide residence or work permits. If you have any questions about residency and/ or visa requirements, you should contact the relevant Iraqi Government Ministry.

• Strong understanding of Iraq’s climate and environment situation.
• Relevant professional experience in a similar role, ideally for at least two (2) years.
• Excellent team-working, communication and networking skills with both Iraqi and international stakeholders, including working effectively across an international mission.
• Good judgement in assessing solutions to problems where issues are complex or conflicting, weighing up several factors to produce and communicate constructive ideas and solutions
• Able to understand UK objectives and prioritise their workload accordingly. A self-starter who can take initiative and work independently in a fast-paced, high-profile environment and deliver to deadlines.
• A positive approach and resilience when facing challenges. Ability to propose new ideas/ spot opportunities.
• Fluent English and Arabic language skills. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely. Able to simplify complexities and adapt communication so others can understand.
• Confident in translating between English and Arabic, both in meetings and in writing.
• Holds at least a bachelor’s degree.
• Strong IT/ computer skills and in using MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).