Climate Attaché

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Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles)

Job Subcategory: ,Climate change, Environment & Sustainability

I. Main purpose of job:

Vietnam is one of the fastest growing carbon emitters globally. With trend GDP growth at 6-7%, deep integration into global trade (200% trade to GDP) and highly attractive to Foreign Direct Investments, Vietnam’s energy demand is predicted to double in the next 10 years and double again the following decade. Vietnam is already twice as energy intensive as China per unit of GDP. Vietnam is also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with 50% of the population in coastal areas liable to flooding, highland areas liable to drought, and the Mekong Delta liable to salt water intrusion.

At COP26 Vietnam made a bold change in its climate change policy, committing to 2050 net zero GHG emissions, joining the Adaptation Action Coalition, endorsing the Glasgow Declaration on Forest and Land use and the Leaders Pledge for Nature, signing the Global Methane Pledge and engaging in the Sustainable Agriculture Policy Action Agenda and Global Action Agenda for Innovation in Agriculture. There is a window of opportunity now for Vietnam to radically shift away from the BAU scenario and deliver on the political commitments on climate mitigation and climate adaptation that they made at COP26.

The Climate Attaché will take day to day responsibility for the climate diplomacy work in Vietnam, focussing both on climate mitigation and climate adaptation work. They will shape HMG’s climate change policy objectives in Vietnam through analysis and a deep understanding of local context across the economy carried out through timely reporting to UK stakeholders. They will deliver the UK’s climate and energy policy priorities by building constructive and collaborative working relationships with Vietnamese Government, private industry, and third sector. They will ensure communications tools are properly mobilised across the Mission to secure the fullest political impact of the UK’s COP26 Presidency and foreign policy towards these goals.

The role holder will work closely with the Vietnam Energy Attaché to ensure that climate and energy work is tightly coordinated and integrated. The role holder will also be expected to integrate their work with UK programme activities, working with programme colleagues from across the Embassy, the region and in the UK.

II. Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

Oversee and run the broad climate policy agenda with the Government of Vietnam and other stakeholders, with the objective of increased ambition on climate mitigation and climate adaptation.
Lead on HMG policy in respect of the UN negotiations, Nationally Determined Contributions, Long Term Strategy, climate adaptation, low carbon agriculture, green finance, and nature elements of the Vietnamese climate portfolio, supporting colleagues across the Embassy, including the Ambassador himself, to understand and deliver these policies together to better effect.
Provide accurate, well-researched and concise expert analysis and reporting of local views and policies on climate change issues to UK stakeholders, incorporating whole of HMG perspectives from the Mission. Be prepared to regularly articulate technical opinions verbally, in writing, and in presentations (internal and external).
Represent, communicate and advance these policies to external audiences in Vietnam, including the Government, collaborating with supporting advocates within the wider diplomatic, private, and third sector community.
Establish and maintain positive working relationships with a wide range of Government and non-Government stakeholder across the Vietnamese system.
Lead on climate public diplomacy in close collaboration with the Embassy’s Communication Department, including events, workshops, and campaigns, to advance our climate policy objectives and UK visibility
Develop proposals, bid, procure, project and budget manage external support to deliver additional impact to the above in a value for money way, consistent with HMG policies and frameworks.
Actively seek synergies and collaboration across the Embassy and with potential external allies.
Support corporate priorities within the team and the wider Mission where necessary.
The jobholder be line managed initially by the Climate Counsellor, until the recruitment of the Senior Climate Adviser, both of whom will be based in Hanoi.

III. Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, for instance, Public Policy, Public Administration, International Relations, Climate and Environment Science, etc.
A minimum of 5 years of experience working for an organisation in a relevant field, for example, working for/with national or regional government, international organizations or agencies, preferably in climate change.
Strong understanding of international climate change policy, with relevant experience including from university or previous professional work experience.
Experience of analysis and research to bring complex information together into a visually accessible format, improving process and organisational strategy

✅ Language requirements:

Language: Fluent written and spoken English
Level of language required: minimum level required C1 under the CEFRL or equivalent.

IV. Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Experience of working on climate change and nature priorities in Vietnam
Knowledge of financial / budget management principles or previous financial management experience.
Knowledge or experience of development project / programme management and relevant skills.

V. Required behaviours

Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together

Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Type of Position: Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
Working hours per week: 35
Region: Asia Pacific
Country/Territory: Vietnam
Location (City): Hanoi
Type of Post: British Embassy
Number of vacancies: 1
Salary: VND 53,809,569
Start Date: 8 August 2022

VI. Other benefits and conditions of employment

This position is being advertised as a 12 months fixed term position in Hanoi, with possibility of renewal.

Detailed information: CLICK HERE

All applications must be received before 23:55 (Local Vietnam Time) on 22.06.2022

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.

Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

Please check the application centre regularly for any update on your application.