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, 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
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory
Global Issues Team
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
Main purpose of job:
To coordinate British High Commission Kigali work to combat Climate Change, including diplomatic action to support delivery of UK objectives on climate and environment. The two key platforms for this delivery will be 1) the 2020 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, plus the subsequent two year period where Rwanda is Commonwealth Chair in Office; and 2) the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in December 2020 in Glasgow.
Roles and responsibilities:
- To coordinate bilateral engagement with the Rwandan government on climate issues related to CHOGM. This will include attempting to ensure coherence between UK COP26 priorities and CHOGM Environment priorities.
- To lead wider regional and continent-wide climate and environment inputs to CHOGM preparation.
- To be responsible for implementation of the Embassy’s COP26 strategy for Rwanda which you will help develop and maintain, working closely with economic, political, prosperity, DFID and communications colleagues. This will include ensuring that delivery of COP26 objectives supports resilience & adaptation objectives in Rwanda, including clean growth, energy transition, transport and industrial decarbonisation, nature-based solutions and green finance.
- To coordinate with Whitehall colleagues on engagement with Rwanda, advising on local sensitivities and priorities; including briefing for ministers and senior officials.
- To monitor progress and impact of UK engagement with Rwanda and continue to work together on shared climate goals after CHOGM and COP26 while Rwanda remain Commonwealth chair.
- To liaise with officials in the Rwandan government including the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on policy and operational elements of delivering COP26. This will include advising and supporting engagement between senior officials (including the Heads of Mission) and Ministers.
- To plan and implement engagement with non-Government actors. This will include building relationships with working level contacts in sub-national authorities (cities, states, provinces), representatives of businesses, and civil society activists.
- To manage Ministerial and official visits from the UK related to CHOGM, COP26 and any other climate events in Rwanda. This could include planning and advising on visit agendas, coordinating with media colleagues, and supporting events as required.
- To work alongside colleagues across the mission, especially those in DFID, to ensure that COP26 and broader UK climate objectives are considered as part of all activity.
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, for instance, Public Policy, Public Administration, International Relations, Climate and Environment Science, etc.
- A minimum of 2+ 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.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience of managing diverse and senior level relationships.
- Knowledge of financial / budget management principles or previous financial management experience.
- Knowledge or experience of project management and relevant skills.
- Master’s Degree in a relevant field.
- Compulsory online training courses include Diversity and Inclusion.
- Courses offered on UK government climate change and energy policy.
- The British High Commission Kigali has an active L&D Committee and offers a wide range of in-house training and funding for external training on policy and programme work
- 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 position.
- Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Kigali are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Rwanda.
- All 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 permit.
- The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
- Obtain the relevant permit
- Pay fees for the permit
- Make arrangements to relocate
- Meet the costs to relocation
- The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
- Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
- Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: EO=B3
- Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
- Please log into your profile on the application system on a regular basis to review the status of your application.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
Required competencies
Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace
Application deadline Application deadline – day Application deadline – month Application deadline – year: 17 January 2020
Grade C4 (L)
Type of Position: Fixed Term
Working hours per week 36
Duration of Post 24 months
Region Africa
Country/Territory: Rwanda
Location (City): Kigali
Type of Post: British High Commission
Number of vacancies: 1
Starting monthly salary (): RWF 2,048,343
Start Date – day Start Date – month Start Date – year: 3 March 2020
Other benefits and conditions of employment
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
Working patterns:
Able to offer one day a week of home working and flexible hours to work around broader life commitments.
Additional information
