Job Title: Policy Lead – Climate Change
Contract Type: Full Time
Salary: £42,195.00 – £48,182.00
Deadline: Wednesday 12th July 2023
Location: Full Time (Hybrid working with a minimum of 40% of your time in the London Office)

Job Profile

We are looking for a Policy Lead – Climate Change who is passionate about climate action that prioritise poor and climate vulnerable communities in the Global South, who are worst affected by climate change, yet have contributed least. We welcome applications from those who have been underrepresented in policy roles in International non-governmental organisations, especially African, Asian, Latin American and Caribbean leaders, women and persons with disabilities.

You will have experience working on climate justice with civil society organisations or social movements and will feel confident in advocating with the UK government and international actors for ambitious climate action. You will be able to work collaboratively with CAFOD’s partners, seeking to prioritise partner voices and to bring greater impact through coordinated advocacy at national and global level, including through the UNFCCC.

In this role you will be responsible for developing and implementing CAFOD’s climate change policy work, with particular focus on climate finance. You will be able to carry out research and policy advocacy, basing proposals on evidence of what works in practice, as well as highlighting the lack of effective action by companies, international finance and governments that perpetuate systems of inequality and injustice.

The Post Holder may be required to travel within Europe, usually by train, and may take an intercontinental flight on average once a year.

Accountability

The role is within the Public Policy Team and will work closely across CAFOD’s Advocacy, Communications and Education Group, International Programme, with partners and with global networks.

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy:

• Lead CAFOD’s policy work on climate change, working closely with the CAFOD campaigns team and programmes teams, and with external coalitions
• Proactively build relationships with and influence decision-makers in the UK government and relevant multilateral bodies, and support country programmes to influence their own governments and global spaces
• Coordinate CAFOD’s engagement with UNFCCC processes
• Work with the parliamentary team and external groups to influence decision-makers in the UK parliament, including facilitating engagement with CAFOD’s overseas partners.

Communications and relationship management:

• Produce clear written communications for internal and external use
• Develop strong working relationships with key allies including civil society coalitions, academics, businesses and church groups
• Represent CAFOD in relevant national and international fora
• Act as a spokesperson on climate issues for the media and supporter audiences.

Research and analysis:

• Track emerging trends and proposals on climate change and provide analysis and advice for the rest of the organisation
• Work with CAFOD programmes teams and with external organisations to undertake research and develop evidence-based proposals for advocacy work
• Support CAFOD’s organisational approach to exemplify environmental stewardship, including providing advice to fundraising, procurement and programmes teams as required

Other:

• Deputise for the Head of Policy and other members of the team as required
• Manage any budget delegated.

 

This list of duties and responsibilities is by no means exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as required. This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification.

Safeguarding for Children and Vulnerable Adults

CAFOD recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect. CAFOD, and all its staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children, young people, and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse. CAFOD is committed to acting at all times in the best interests of children and vulnerable adults, seeing these interests as paramount. Any candidate offered a job with CAFOD will be expected to adhere to CAFOD’s Safeguarding policy and sign CAFOD’s Code of Behaviour as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, and appropriate screening checks can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. CAFOD also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Person Specification /Essential Criteria

• Understanding CAFOD: Demonstrates and actively supports CAFOD’s vision, mission and values by understanding how a faith-based organisation develops policy positions that reflect organisational priorities and skills.
• Understanding international development: Understanding of international development policy.
• Working with others: Adopts a collaborative approach and is solutions-focused.
• Communicating; Strong communication skills, including the ability to produce clear written documents, engage effectively in verbal discussions and understand the perspectives of others.
• Taking the lead: Takes a lead in identifying solutions and making change happen.

Job-specific criteria

• Experience in policy and advocacy work, demonstrating research and analytical skills, planning, and ability to influence external actors to bring about change
• Proven experience of working in partnership with NGOs, or other civil society organisations and networks, at UK or country level
• Good understanding of climate change and the links to resilient food systems, key actors, policy processes and decision-making spaces

Interview Date: Thursday, 20th July 2023

Please note previous applicants need not apply to the post.

CAFOD is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and ensuring opportunity for all. We welcome candidates of all faiths and none.  In particular, we would welcome applications from those with lived experience of ethnic and cultural diversity, physical disability, age diversity, neurodiversity, and/or under-privileged socio-economic backgrounds across different parts of the UK.

Come and join us and help make a real difference in the lives of the world’s poorest communities.

CAFOD is an equal opportunities employer. Recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

For more information or to apply for this role, please visit the CAFOD website.