The British Embassy Manila is a large diplomatic mission delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK’s objectives on prosperity, security and consular matters. The Embassy is a modern, diverse and inclusive employer where everyone contributes to the embassy’s values of Well-being, Opportunity, Respect and Collaboration.

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy in Manila is working closely with a broad range of partners across the country and the region to strengthen international collaboration on the major practical challenges of climate change, global greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental degradation. 

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has a network of climate and energy advisors and officers in South East Asia and the Pacific whose role is to promote and deliver on the climate change agenda with partner governments. In the Philippines, this is done through policy support and advocacy, commercial engagement, and UK International Climate Finance (ICF) to respond to the challenges and opportunities across adaptation, mitigation, and biodiversity.

This exciting and challenging role in the British Embassy in Manila will focus having a transformative impact on climate change and environment issues and the opportunity to scale up interventions in terms of policy, programmes, and diplomacy activities.

The job holder will work closely with a broad range of partners across the country and the region to realise transition to net zero, build climate adaptation and resilience, boost the blue economy, scale up nature-based solutions, address loss and damage, and mobilise much needed climate and green finance. 

The role requires strong in interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills, and effective stakeholder engagement including the ability to build relationships with key contacts in the Philippine government (executive and legislative both at the national and local levels), development partners, and representatives of businesses, and civil society organisations. While the role is based in Manila and the primary focus is on climate change and environment in the Philippines, the successful candidate would also be expected to spend a small percentage of time working independently and through other colleagues on UK climate engagement with Palau, for which the British Embassy Manila has non-residential diplomatic responsibilities.

The successful candidate will drive the Embassy’s climate and environment portfolio for the Philippines and will work directly with the Embassy’s Climate Change Team, Economic and Social Development Team and other colleagues in the Policy and Programmes Section and Trade Section. He/She will coordinate with colleagues based in other British Missions in the region, and officials in the FCDO and other relevant Departments across His Majesty’s Government (HMG). He/She will be directly reporting to the Economic and Climate Counsellor. He/she will also make a contribution to the British Embassy Manila’s corporate agenda, which includes promoting the Embassy’s values (i.e. well-being, opportunity, respect and collaboration).

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

The key elements of this role are:

1. Policy work and influencing

• Leading the delivery of the British Government’s climate change objectives related to long-term net zero emissions and adaptation in the Philippines, including: the blue economy, coastal and marine protection, biodiversity conservation, adaptation planning and implementation, nature-based solutions, and meeting international commitments, aligning with Paris Agreement and Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and consistent with the UK International Development Strategy. Key focus areas include:
  • implementation of the National Adaptation Plan,
  • updating of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC),
  • Long Term Climate Vision and Strategy (LTV and LTS), and
  • Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) and 30×30 initiatives. This includes support to other international treaty and agreements (e.g., Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction and Plastics Treaty).
• Leading the planning, facilitating, and convening of the annual UK-Philippines Climate Change and Environment (CCE) Dialogue, including tracking the progress and updating of the UK-PH CCE joint work plan.
• Identifying and convening wider public diplomacy interventions, roundtable discussions, and collaboration with development finance institutions, NGOs/CSOs, think tanks, experts, and other key partners on net zero, adaptation and resilience, and nature.
• Monitoring key flagship legislations/bills, working closely with the Embassy’s Internal Political team to lobby and influence their development.
• Providing technical inputs to policy and strategy papers across key thematic areas from the climate and nature context.
• Representing the Embassy and UK Government at key external events, including as a speaker when invited.

2. Programme oversight and review, technical advice, and project bids development

• Overseeing the delivery of climate programmes, including ongoing programmes and projects on adaptation, nature based finance, and mitigation.
• Leading the in-country implementation of the UK Blue Planet Fund Country Plan for the Philippines, including coordination and engagement with Philippine national government agencies, delivery partners, and other key stakeholders. With a particular focus on the Embassy’s work delivering the COAST Blue Carbon Action Partnership.
• Developing bids and delivery of non-ODA Climate Diplomacy Fund (CDF).
• Facilitating the provision of consolidated technical inputs on project proposals during the review and due diligence phases, particular those proposals covering the Philippines and Palau.

3. Leadership and management of climate mainstreaming cross-embassy, working with SEA and Indo-Pacific regional leads, and external engagements and advocacy work

• Line management of the Climate Change and Energy Officer
• Leading on the UK’s climate programme engagement with Palau and supporting the Internal Political team on the delivery of the cross-embassy strategy on Palau.
• Proactive engagement with the regional climate network.
• Representing the UK in programme boards, events, conferences and other external stakeholder meetings as required.
• Supporting the planning and delivery of climate change and environment-related events, high level meetings, delegation visits, and workshops.
• Strong collaboration with other policy leads on climate-security-migration, environmental defenders and human rights, maritime development work, critical minerals, climate science and research, energy and climate finance, and commercial opportunities.

4. Contribution to the Embassy’s corporate agenda

• Leading the Green Team to implement the Embassy Green Action Plan, facilitating employee and community engagement.
• Participating in wider corporate agenda, including crisis work as necessary.

The candidate will need to be flexible and resilient to changes in their role to respond to changing needs within the Mission, whether to cover particularly acute work periods (such as a humanitarian disaster) or support other teams during peaks in work.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, for instance, Climate and Environment Science, Engineering, Public Policy, International Relations, Public Administration, and Development Communication.
• At least 5 years relevant experience of working on climate change, energy and environment issues; with proven experience in policy analysis, with the ability to carry out research and summarise finding in a concise and professional format;
• Experience of working with and through networks of representatives from government, private sector, civil society organisations, media and international institutions;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Filipino;
• Good IT skills: proficient in MS Office applications and familiarity with social/multi-media applications; and
• Ability to work independently as part of a team, under pressure and to meet tight deadlines.