Senior Policy Adviser - Climate Change and Sustainability

The Senior Policy Adviser - Climate Change and Sustainability position at Civil Service in London involves implementing UKEF's Sustainability Strategy, leading policy development on climate-related issues, and engaging with various stakeholders, including government departments and international partners. Responsibilities include supporting sustainability initiatives, preparing briefings for senior stakeholders, and contributing to cross-departmental collaboration. The role requires a motivated individual eager to learn and develop professionally.
Job summary
The Climate Change and Sustainability Division sits within the Strategy, Sustainability and Impact Group (SSIG). The Division is responsible for setting and implementing UKEF's strategy and policy on climate change and sustainability matters and for engaging on these topics cross-government, with stakeholders outside government and internationally in UKEFs capacity as an Export Credit Agency (ECA).
Job description

As a Senior Policy Adviser in UKEFs Climate Change & Sustainability Division, you will play a central role in delivering UKEFs climate change and sustainability priorities. You will support the implementation of UKEFs Sustainability Strategy, lead policy development across climate‑related workstreams, and help maintain UKEFs international leadership on sustainability issues within the export finance community.

You will work across the department and with other government departments, financial institutions, and international partners to provide high‑quality advice and briefing to senior stakeholders, including the Board, Executive Committee, the Export Guarantees Advisory Council, and Ministers.
Main Activities

Key Responsibilities
• Sustainability Strategy & Policy Development
• Support the implementation of UKEFs Sustainability Strategy, leading policy development and analysis in core areas like clean growth, the low-carbon transition, nature/biodiversity/bioeconomy, financed emissions, disclosure frameworks, SDG alignment and sustainable development.
• Lead UKEFs implementation of the Governments Fossil Fuel Policy, delivering transactional assessments, working with underwriters and UKEFs customers to achieve successful commercial outcomes in line with Government policy; ensure appropriate case management, governance and information management processes are in place.
• Work across directorates to embed sustainability considerations, including championing and delivering change management across UKEF
• International Leadership & Engagement
• Support UKEFs international sustainability leadership among ECAs, including by supporting UKEFs chairing of the Net Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance (NZECA).
• Ensure UKEFs interests on climate and sustainability issues are represented effectively at international fora beyond NZECA, e.g. the OECD and Export Finance for Future (E3F).
• Contribute to UK participation in UNFCCC COP activity, including coordinating delivery of UKEFs COP31 programme.
• Deliver bilateral engagement with ECAs and international institutions.
• Strategic Briefing & Senior Stakeholder Support
• Prepare high‑quality briefing for senior stakeholders.
• Shape cross‑Government climate and sustainability policy.
• Provide clear written and verbal communication.
• Cross‑Departmental Contribution & Culture
• Collaborate across UKEF to deliver sustainability goals.
• Contribute to strong culture of diversity and inclusion.

This list is not exhaustive, and you may be required to carry out additional duties according to business needs.

Person specification

UK Export Finance is looking for motivated individuals with a desire to learn about the business. Successful candidates will be provided not only with functional training to enable them to do well in their role, but also with personal development to help them to achieve their career ambitions. Please note that the person specification below outlines at which stage(s) you will be assessed on how you meet the criteria for the role(s) including:-

A = assessed at application stage I = assessed at interview stage P = assessed at presentation stage
Essential
Qualifications
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience. (A)
• Evidence of professional development. (A)
Knowledge
• Understanding of climate change and/or sustainability issues, within a trade, financial services or government context. (A, P, I)
• Understanding of UK export or business policy landscape. (A, P, I)
Skills/Ability
• Strategic thinker with analytical approach and ability to work confidently with ambiguity. (A, P, I)
• Outstanding relationship‑building and influencing skills. (A, P, I)
• Excellent written and verbal communication. (A, P, I)
Experience
• Experience in climate change and/or sustainable development, within a trade, financial services or government context. (A, P, I)