The British Government is seeking an Energy and Climate Policy Advisor in our Chicago Consulate.  The job holder will be a member of the Energy & Climate Policy Team, located primarily at the British Embassy in DC but also with colleagues throughout the US network. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, working across the full range of energy, climate and environmental issues that the team handles with a particular focus on leading the team’s sustainable agriculture portfolio.  The job holder will also lead on subnational climate and energy engagement across the Midwest States.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.  In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

The Policy Advisor provides advice to UK Government departments on US developments in environmental, energy and climate policy and promotes UK-US engagement around sustainable agriculture, sustainable aviation fuels, and the transition to a low-carbon global economy.  The Policy Advisor represents the UK Government in meetings and outward-facing events.  The candidate is also responsible for managing visits from UK stakeholders to the US.

The jobholder reports to the Senior Policy Officer, Climate and Energy, in Washington DC.  They work closely with a range of Embassy and consulate teams and with other offices in the US Network, as well as other departments including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for International Trade (DIT), Science and Innovation Network, Trade Policy, Politics and Public Affairs and Energy teams.  They will be able to draw on and collaborate with teams across the Chicago Consulate to achieve their goals and equally in return we would expect them to be supporting the wider work of His Majesty’s Government (HMG) including through corporate contributions.  The job holder may need to travel a number of times a year across the region and to DC, and may potentially visit the UK approximately once per year.

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker and utilise and build on their understanding of US environmental, energy and climate policy, both at the federal and subnational levels.  They will be a credible interlocutor with contacts in the US, specifically congressional staff, business and investors, state and local government, and non-governmental organisations.  They will be a self-starter, proactively developing ideas and strategies to foster UK-US collaboration on environmental, energy and climate priorities.  They will also have a proven track-record in working collaboratively in a team-setting. 

Roles and responsibilities:

• Monitor and analyse US domestic environmental, energy, climate change, and low-carbon policies and initiatives, with a particular focus on subnational actors in Midwest US States and the Federal Government
• Act as the Team Lead on 2-3 priority sustainable climate sectors and themes, including on sustainable agriculture policy and sustainable aviation fuels.
• Provide regular high-quality reporting (written and oral) on US developments to inform UK policy and contribute proactively to policy discussions, including advising on local sensitivities and priorities, and briefing for ministers and senior officials
• Design and deliver projects and events to support closer UK-US collaboration on sustainable agriculture and low-carbon developments
• Advocate British interests with a range of key US interlocutors to promote UK priorities and policy interests
• Take responsibility for structuring and delivering visits to the US by UK ministers and senior officials
• Develop and maintain effective and strategic relationships within Congress, the Federal Administration, state and local governments, industry, and non-governmental stakeholders to support all of the above duties and responsibilities
• Work closely with colleagues throughout the US network of Consulates and UK Government Offices in the Midwest US to provide clear direction that enables others to monitor environment, energy and climate issues, as well as deliver relevant projects.

Resources managed:

This role does not involve direct line management but does require the ability to develop and lead virtual teams in order to deliver your policy priorities. Depending on the local priorities, this role could be responsible for implementing climate and energy projects where you will be responsible for delivery including monitoring spend.

• Substantial previous relevant experience is required. A previous role focused on international and/or US climate/energy/environmental/agricultural policy is preferred.
• Ability to work as part of a team spread across different posts.
• Must be able to represent the UK at external meetings, and win the confidence of senior stakeholders, including US and UK officials.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues to diverse audiences.
• Must be a proven self-starter with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, possess excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, and adapt to fast-paced and shifting demands.
• Knowledge of US environmental, agricultural, climate and energy stakeholders including knowledge of Midwest States and municipal government policy landscapes.
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally.

Language requirements: 

Language: English
Level of language required: Fluent

Please note: Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents, A and NATO visa holders with EAD cards, and L2 visa holders with an up-to-date I-94 form. 

You may refer to our website for additional information:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.