Climate Change And Biodiversity Policy Officer Heo - (17/24 Pta) - (Maternity Cover)

View Vacancy - Climate Change and Biodiversity Policy Officer HEO - (17/24 PTA) - (Maternity Cover) The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Job Category 1 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory 1 Climate Diplomacy
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) 1 Main purpose of job: Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing our world. The UK has responded with some of the world's most ambitious legislation and domestic targets, embedding the green economy in all our industrial, research and growth strategies. Internationally, the UK is one of the most significant contributors to international climate finance and active in pressing for global ambition in line with the 2015 Paris agreement to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees.

South Africa is a key strategic partner: 1) The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between South Africa and the UK, US, France, Germany, the EU, Denmark and The Netherlands (announced at COP26 in Glasgow, November 2021) is about supporting SA to meet its ambitious NDC commitments, doing so in a just way. 2) As a developing country under the UNFCCC, South Africa is dealing with the twin challenges of adapting to, and building resilience against climate impact that is already occurring and increasing; 3) As the 6th most mega diverse country in the world, South Africa has an important role to play in delivery of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) including on digital sequencing information; and 4) As an influential member of the Africa Group, the G77 +China, G20, BRICS, SA is a key player in securing real progress within the UNFCCC negotiation process.
The British High Commission is looking for a temporary (Maternity Cover) Climate Change and Biodiversity Policy Officer to work with partners across government, NGOs, civil society and business on climate change and biodiversity.
This position plays a central role within the British High Commission to lead on delivering climate and biodiversity policy and events. You will monitor relevant policy developments in SA, and report on those developments and their implications. The role includes supporting diplomatic action linked to the 16th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) in October 2024; the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in November 2024; campaigns including around Earthshot week which takes place in Cape Town in November 2024; and ongoing implementation of the JETP.
It is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of this key area of UK-South Africa collaboration. The post holder will contribute to the development of a vision for how to grow a long-term UK-South Africa climate relationship. This role will report to the Head of Climate Change and Biodiversity. You will be expected to develop strong links with other colleagues working on JETP, Development, Economic Growth, Science and Innovation and Department for Business and Trade (DBT) teams.
Roles and responsibilities: To plan and deliver engagement with government including sub-national authorities, non government actors, business and civil society on climate change and biodiversity.To deliver timely and insightful reporting on climate change and biodiversity developments in South Africa and their implicationsTo contribute to implementation of the High Commission's Climate Change and Biodiversity strategy for South AfricaTo ensure this strategy supports long-term decarbonisation, resilience & adaptation and biodiversity objectives in South Africa, including clean growth, just energy transition, biodiversity and green financeTo act as the High Commission's focal point on climate change and biodiversity policy, developing and owning the bilateral narrative by working closely with colleagues on issues relevant to climate change and biodiversityTo coordinate with Whitehall colleagues on engagement with South Africa, advising on local sensitivities and priorities; this will include contributing to briefing for ministers and senior officialsTo liaise with the South African government on policy relating to UNFCCC COP29 and CBD COP16, including communicationsTo identify climate diplomacy high impact, outcome-driven projects, deliver grant agreements with implementing partners and track progressTo manage Ministerial and official visits from the UK related to climate change and biodiversity in South AfricaTo play an active part in the corporate life of the High Commission (including if necessary as a member of any High Commission Committees) to maximise the overall well-being of staff Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
The postholder might oversee a climate related outreach budget.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1 We are looking for a proactive self-starter, able to work well with others and have a flexible approach to work whilst under pressure. Excellent interpersonal and communications skills to build strong relations within the High Commission and with a wide range of stakeholders in South Africa.
At least a Bachelor's with honours degree, preferably in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Biological Diversity, Public Policy or a related course Solid knowledge of climate change and/or biodiversity issues in South Africa and related international institutional frameworks Minimum 5 years of work experience, ideally with some background in working with international stakeholders Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication and stakeholder relationship skills Be a flexible and creative problem-solver, able to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems, and coordinate coherent and compelling programmes and projects Fluency in written and spoken English Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to adjust to different audiences Excellent presentation skills Team player, driven by values Desirable qualifications, skills and experience 1 Relevant post-graduate courseSound network of contacts in political arena, government, private sector and civil societiesCandidates with prior work experience in International or multilateral programmes will be considered as a plus: Knowledge of UK climate change and biodiversity policy and its global leadership in the subject matter Knowledge of just energy transition Knowledge of the low carbon/green sector Required behaviours 1 Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together 29 April 2024
Grade 1 Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Type of Position 1 Fixed Term
Working hours per week 1 36.5 hours
Duration of Post 1 6 months
Region 1 Africa
Country/Territory 1 South Africa
Location (City) 1 Pretoria
Type of Post 1 British High Commission
Number of vacancies 1 1
R 701,134.36 (per annum)
Start Date 1 2 September 2024
End Date 1 28 February 2025
Other benefits and conditions of employment 1 Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed): Post has an active Learning and Development committee and there are significant opportunities for learning and growth in this role.

Working patterns: The postholder will be required to be office-based at least 3 days per week.

Additional information 1 Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a positionEmployees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Pretoria are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in South AfricaAll candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permitThe responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;Obtain the relevant permitPay fees for the permitMake arrangements to relocateMeet the costs to relocation The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do soEmployees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amountInformation about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles . Please note this position is: HEOReference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidatesAppointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a 'reserve list'. If during the reserve period of 6/12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate". Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.#J-18808-Ljbffr