Senior Environment and Social Advisor *DEADLINE EXTENDED*

We are also recruiting for a Principal Environmental & Social Adviser. Details of this role can also be found on Civil Service Jobs website.

The Environmental and Social Risk Management team (E&S team) is responsible for the implementation of UKEF’s environmental, social and human rights (ESHR) policy as well as providing advice to UKEF management on related ESHR matters. The E&S team represents UK Export Finance and, where appropriate, the UK Government on ESHR issues relating to UKEF’s operations.

The E&S team currently consists of a team of 13 staff. 

The Senior Environmental and Social Adviser (SEO) provides advice, manages, and takes responsibility for the ESHR due diligence and monitoring of cases. These primarily fall within the scope of the OECD Common Approaches and Equator Principles and UKEF’s evolving ESHR Policy but also includes wider ESHR review of other UKEF products including short term business and corporate financing. In addition, the Senior E&S Adviser provides technical ESHR advice to the Business Group, provides training and mentoring on ESHR issues within UKEF, and supports and contributes to the E&S team reporting. The Senior E&S Adviser supports the E&S team in providing ESHR advice on relevant policy and international relations matters. The Senior E&S Adviser will deliver ESHR due diligence case work and post-issue monitoring, directly or with the support of more experienced members of the team, particularly on more complex ESHR casework.

The role also includes supporting UKEF on ESHR international relations at the OCED Export Credit Group, the Equator Principles financial institutions and other related international fora.

The Senior E&S Adviser must have the interpersonal skills to work as an effective part of a team and to represent the E&S Team in interactions with departmental colleagues, counterparties and other stakeholders.  They also need to be able to prioritise work effectively and work to challenging deadlines.

ESHR Advisory Work:

• Undertaking ESHR monitoring and reporting, including participating in ESHR site monitoring visits, of less contentious and/or complex cases, including recommending and negotiating subsequent actions to maintain supported project’s alignment with international ESHR standards. Supporting more senior members of the team (G7 or G6) in undertaking ESHR due diligence of more complex cases.
• Case managing and taking responsibility for ESHR due diligence and monitoring, including:
• undertaking ESHR screening of cases;
• gathering and appraising case ESHR risk assessment and management information;
• benchmarking against relevant ESHR international standards;
• discussing management of ESHR risks, UKEF’s due diligence and monitoring requirements with applicants, UK exporters, project sponsors, etc.;
• managing external ESHR consultants in the provision of specific or general advice on cases;
• engaging with other financial institutions, including commercial banks and other ECAs on ESHR matters where necessary;
• producing UKEF E&S reports and making recommendations to ensure that ESHR risks are appropriately managed in alignment with international ESHR Standards;
• proposing and negotiate alternative and appropriate solutions to non-alignment with ESHR benchmark standards; and
• alongside Legal Division advising on the drafting of reasonable and appropriate ESHR conditions to relevant finance documentation.
• Attending as required UK Export Finance’s Enterprise Risk and Credit Committee and periodic Export Guarantees Advisory Council (EGAC) to advise on ESHR matters.

ESHR Policy Work:

• Assisting the Head of the E&S team and other E&S managers with the review of ESHR policy matters and contributing to policy papers for Executive Committee and Management Board;
• Working with other UKEF divisions to develop approaches to ESHR review of emerging and “non-traditional” products, including short term and corporate business; and
• Taking initiative in proposing and developing procedures for updating and/or implementing UKEF’s ESHR policy.

Interdivisional and International Relations:

• Actively engaging with, attending and presenting as appropriate at the meetings of, international ESHR fora e.g. OECD Environmental and Social Practitioners Group, Equator Principles group and steering committee, cross-Whitehall Groups, amongst others;
• Contributing to internal and external reportsg. regular CEO reports, Quarterly Management Reports and UK Export Finance’s Annual Report and Accounts; and
• Training of other staff:
• Mentoring new joiners and assisting other E&S advisers on ESHR issues; and
• Assisting with the development and training to other UK Export Finance staff, including awareness raising presentations and ESHR training for underwriters.

Professional development and training:

• Attending ESHR or other relevant training courses;
• Develop an understanding of international trade and finance and UKEF’s underwriting processes;
• Reading professional journals, magazines and new articles;
• Attending relevant conferences and seminars; and
• Obtaining membership to a relevant professional institution.

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

The essential criteria can be found within the Information Pack attached below. 

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Technical Questions relating the role
• A short presentation (this will be on a topic determined by UKEF and will need to be prepared in advance).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : UKEF Recruitment
• Email : Recruitment2@ukexportfinance.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment2@ukexportfinance.gov.uk