Environment and Economic Policy Officer

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The Environment and Economic Policy Officer is a vital role in the British Embassy’s Development and Economic Affairs Team, tasked with managing the climate, economic and education portfolios. The role contains some regional elements and involves co-ordinating with colleagues at other British Embassies in Central America.

This role leads on the Embassy’s Environmental Engagement, following up on the implementation of COP 26’s Legacy Actions, and policy lobbying in the run up to different COP Conferences (CITES, CBD, UNFCC). The job holder will be expected to develop relationships with relevant Panamanian government departments and institutions, as well as civil society The role is expected to facilitate expert level discussions, and government-to-government technical assistance on key topics such as climate change action, biodiversity conservation, clean and green growth, Marine Protected Areas, Waste Management, Climate Diplomacy, and the CMAR Initiative. The job holder work alongside the Department of Business and Trade to help identify commercial opportunities for UK companies to support and invest in net zero and clean energy transition plans in Panama.

The jobholder also leads on the Embassy’s economic engagement across the Central American Network and London. This entails leading on economic reporting for the region and for Panama. The officer is expected to produce reports identifying trends, risks, and opportunities; and contributing to both the team’s and embassy’s understanding of Central American economies.

The jobholder also leads the Embassy’s educational engagement, working on the UK’s approach to educational policies, including STEM careers and girls’ and women’s educational empowerment. The jobholder will also work alongside colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade to identify other educational opportunities in both the public and private.

The jobholder reports directly to the Head of the Development and Economic Affairs Team and is currently responsible for line managing the team intern. The jobholder also works directly with the projects officer, ensuring projects in their policy areas align with to the embassy’s country goals. The jobholder will be expected to be flexible should the requirements of the role change.

**Roles and responsibilities**:
Environment 70%:
Support the Embassy objectives on environment, building an international network of contacts in Panama, CA, and the UK to deliver policy engagement on Climate Change, biodiversity and green growth. Visit project sites to monitor project progress and ensure UK visibility. Actions areas include: CMAR, IUU-AA, Climate Education, Water Tracker, Marine Protected Areas, GPAP, Net Zero, and waste management. Identify commercial opportunities for UK companies to support and invest in green growth in Panama.

Economic analysis and reporting 15%:
Lead on economic analysis and reporting in the region, as well as supporting senior leadership in CA and London. Report on significant economic developments and their effects on the Panamanian and Central American economies. Lead on economic reports for Central America, along with regional colleagues, and ad hoc thematic reports depending on priorities.

Wider policy support and other responsibilities 15%:
The jobholder leads on education policy and is expected to mainstream other policies into the role: including human rights, transparency, gender, and inclusion. The jobholder focuses on education (with a particular focus on STEM Careers), and Climate Change education and capacity building.

The jobholder is expected to lead on project proposals concerning their policy areas, with support from the Projects and Events Officer and external partners. This includes, drafting, reviewing, and modifying internal project proposals; analysing and commenting on external project proposals; and monitoring and evaluating delivery.

**Resources managed** (staff and expenditure):
The jobholder currently manages the team intern.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

**Essential on arrival**:

- Degree or equivalent experience related to climate change or similar
- Excellent writing/drafting skills in both languages (English and Spanish)
- Research skills (assessing various sources, Internet searches).
- Personal drive, sound judgement and attention to detail.
- Strong organisational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritise.
- Flexible, resilient under pressure and decisive with a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines.
- Strong networking skills.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

**Desirable**:

- Experience working in a multicultural/international organisation and an understanding of UK culture
- Experience of building and maintaining effective networks
- Project management
- Understanding of current affairs, international relations