JOB DESCRIPTION

View Vacancy – Senior Climate Policy Advisor – Calgary

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Subcategory

Climate change, Environment & Sustainability

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Consulate-General in Calgary is recruiting for a Senior Climate Policy Advisor.

This is a key position within the British Consulate, responsible for a key delivery objective. The successful candidate will lead on advancing the UK’s relationship with Canada on climate policy, with a focus on Western provinces and territories, in particular.

The position will drive high-level climate, energy and nature policy cooperation to benefit UK policy goals, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and deepening cooperation between UK and Canadian policymakers and stakeholders. This work will be underpinned by a keen understanding of the Canadian climate change context and key stakeholders. The jobholder will work with the wider team on stakeholder engagement and communication, including activities such as organising visits, public events, representing the Consulate at relevant conferences and events.
This is an exciting time to join the British Consulate given fast-paced developments within the area of energy and climate change. It is an excellent opportunity to undertake a key role representing the UK government with plenty of responsibility and leadership potential. The role requires, and will further develop, a wide range of skills including project management, policy analysis, representational work and strategic stakeholder engagement. Reporting to the British Consul General in Calgary you will also be a part of the wider Science, Energy and Climate team across the UK’s diplomatic missions in Canada. You can fully expect to work collaboratively with other policy groups within the UK in Canada network, including the Department for Business and Trade, and other British government departments.

Occasionally, the successful candidate will be required to travel within Canada and internationally as well as some out-of-hours work, including attendance at evening events and in support of ministerial visits.

• Building partnerships and collaborations – between the UK and federal, provincial and municipal governments in climate and energy. In particular, engaging senior and influential stakeholders in government, academia, non-profits and industry to deliver high-impact projects and partnerships for the UK. Identifying and delivering opportunities to further UK-Canada objectives in energy and climate.
• Deepening policy exchange – encouraging deeper policy relationships between the UK and Canada (federal and provincial) on energy and climate. You will be the lead officer reporting on PM Carney’s plan to make Canada an energy superpower and provincial efforts to combat climate change, advocating UK policy objectives to influence its design and implementation. Coordinate with London-based colleagues on engagement with Canada, advising on local sensitivities and priorities; including preparing briefing and visits for UK Ministers and senior officials.
• Deliver energy and climate projects – Identify, develop, and deliver projects and events (normally $15-30k), often working with external partners, that support UK government objectives in Canada, including strengthening ties on energy and climate.
• Policy analysis and advocacy – Provide analysis of key policy developments in Western Canada and the UK. Utilise analysis in support of identifying and furthering UK government climate and energy priorities within the prairies. Advocate existing and new UK strategies that require international engagement and collaboration, such as the UK Net Zero Strategy. Work with our comms team to find impactful ways to communicate the UK’s approach on climate. Support wider team relationships with key stakeholders in Western Canada (grid developments, nuclear energy, renewables).
• Cultivate and maintain high quality working relationships with key contacts – develop a deep network of contacts including government, NGOs, think-tanks and universities that can deepen UK objectives in climate and energy. Develop and implement an external stakeholder engagement strategy. This will include stakeholder identification, event organisation, and meeting facilitation.
• Support UK trade and investment – work in collaboration with trade and investment promotion leads in clean energy and infrastructure to drive UK economic growth, investment and job creation.

You will be encouraged and expected to develop project proposals with budgets in the region of CA$10ks. This role does not currently have line management responsibilities.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, economics, engineering, or climate.
• A minimum of 3+ years professional experience working for an organisation in a relevant field on climate policy issues, for example working for/with national or regional government, international organisations or agencies.
• Experience working on energy and climate policy in Alberta, Canada and/or international energy and climate policy, particularly in relation to clean energy and/or climate issues.
• Experience developing and implementing policy in multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with ability to interact effectively with senior government officials, business leaders, lobby groups, and the public.
• Proven ability to work independently, multitask, and feel at ease networking at mid to senior level.
• Excellent presentation skills with ability to produce clear, concise written reports and an ability to communicate impactfully with a range of expert and non-subject expert audiences.

Language: English

Level of language required: Fluent

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Knowledge of the UK, including government, policy, and its energy, climate and nature priorities would be an asset.
• Master”s degree or equivalent experience would be considered an asset

Required behaviours

Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Developing Self and Others, Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

Application deadline

16 October 2025

Grade

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position

Permanent

Working hours per week

37.5

Region

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory

Canada

Location (City)

Calgary

Type of Post

British Consulate General

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

CAD

Salary

$93,207.16 (annual)

Type of Salary

yearly

Start Date

5 January 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment

Applicants must have the legal status to live and work in Canada.

Applicant is expected to appear in person for approx. 60% of week but working from home is permitted and encouraged when realistic to do so.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Please note, the salary is non-negotiable.

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

The UK in Canada network offers a strong package of L&D opportunities including an induction to working for us. We are committed to active, constructive line management. Additional L&D opportunities will be available and encouraged, with flexibility for the incumbent to seek his/her own opportunities of interest, subject to approval by your line manager.
This included possible induction travel to the UK to meet key science, innovation and sustainable energy stakeholders to help transition them into their new role. Additional L&D opportunities will be available and encouraged, with flexibility for the incumbent to seek his/her own opportunities of interest, subject to approval by the line manager.

Working patterns:

The UK in Canada team encourages consideration of flexible working practices requested by its staff whilst expecting personnel to work in the office 60% of time to encourage teamwork, innovation and shared sense of purpose. You may find that early on in your role you benefit from being in the office even more frequently to aid your understanding of the organisation and the role.

On occasion, you may be requested to support events that you or colleagues at the British Consulate General have organised and these may be outside usual working hours such as evenings or weekends. In these circumstances you will be granted time off in lieu.

Additional information

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 16 October 2025

All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.

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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements