Climate & Nature Officer

Role overview

The British High Commission in Ghana is looking for a seasoned climate and nature specialist to drive UK priorities on forests, carbon markets and broader nature-based objectives under the People and Planet pillar of the Country Business Plan. The position sits within a fast-moving, collaborative team and plays a central role in delivering the mission’s refreshed three-year strategy with the Government of Ghana and external partners.

The postholder will help advance sustainable, low-carbon development in Ghana, make sure climate and environmental priorities are embedded across the UK’s wider engagement in-country, and provide technical as well as diplomatic leadership for UK-supported programmes with a presence in Ghana. The role also supports the BHC’s ambition to mobilise climate finance while safeguarding forests and biodiversity.

In this role, you will work closely with senior counterparts across government, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Forestry Commission, ministries responsible for lands and natural resources, the office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, as well as civil society and private sector stakeholders. You may also support UK representation in high-level forums such as COP and other major climate events.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for UK climate and nature partnerships in Ghana, with a focus on forest protection, nature and climate outcomes.
• Work closely with country economists, advisers, the Growth team, and climate and nature colleagues in London and across West Africa to keep priorities aligned.
• Coordinate with the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, especially the International Forest Unit, so that local engagement supports wider UK policy and programme aims.
• Oversee and coordinate current centrally managed workstreams in forestry, carbon markets and nature, while helping shape future activity in Ghana and assuring technical quality across the portfolio.
• Lead UK technical engagement on REDD+, forest carbon credits and voluntary carbon markets, including support for LEAF Coalition implementation and expansion of benefit-sharing structures.
• Support delivery across AIM4Forests, IFSLU2 and FGMC2 in partnership with programme teams and local stakeholders.
• Advise the British High Commission and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs on the UK-Ghana VPA/FLEGT process and on sustainable timber governance issues.
• Track donor priorities and forestry/mining-related actions to spot synergies and avoid duplication.
• Build and sustain senior relationships across government, development partners, UN agencies, NGOs and private sector actors to inform policy and shape delivery.
• Maintain strong links with the Forestry Commission and key forestry and environmental civil society organisations to strengthen evidence, context and diplomatic engagement.
• Engage the Environmental Protection Agency and relevant counterparts on Ghana’s carbon framework, registry development, NDC commitments and adaptation planning.
• Support engagement with carbon market developers by sharing lessons and offering technical input where needed.
• Contribute to COP preparation and other high-level climate diplomacy efforts to elevate Ghana and Africa’s priorities on forests, nature and climate finance.
• Represent climate and nature perspectives in cross-department discussions at post, including with DBT and upstream threat teams.
• Stay informed on agriculture developments where they affect agroforestry, carbon markets and deforestation.
• Prepare briefings, reports and presentations that support diplomatic objectives, business planning and strategic initiatives.
• Carry out horizon scanning, identify opportunities and flag relevant developments for the wider team.
• Work collaboratively with the Growth pillar and across thematic areas, including women and girls, to maintain coherence across BHC Accra’s work.

Experience and qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in climate change, natural resource governance, environmental science, environmental economics or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 3 years of full-time professional experience in research or practical work related to climate change and sustainable development.
• Strong exposure to forestry, carbon markets or nature-related work in Ghana is highly desirable.
• Good understanding of Ghana’s climate and nature policy and institutional landscape, as well as the international architecture for climate action and dialogue.
• Experience that matches the FCDO climate and environment technical competency expectations at foundation or practitioner level.
• Proficient English language ability, with confidence in speaking, writing and understanding English.

Desirable strengths

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear and well-structured material quickly.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to develop practical, mutually beneficial solutions in complex stakeholder settings.
• Comfort working across cultures and building effective relationships with government, partners and colleagues.
• Previous experience delivering development or climate programmes and understanding programme management cycles.
• Familiarity with FCDO operational and analytical tools, and with international development and climate strategy, would be an advantage.
• An established network with the Forestry Commission and/or the EPA carbon office, or the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Transition environment division, would be beneficial.
• Working knowledge of agriculture, especially agroforestry and how agriculture contributes to deforestation, is a plus.

Additional information

This position does not have line management responsibilities at present, although prior people-management experience is considered useful in case the team structure changes later.

The role is expected to be delivered from the Accra office location on an onsite basis.

The role sits within the People & Planet strategy pillar and involves close coordination with the wider Growth pillar to support broader climate objectives and internal coherence on cross-cutting themes such as women and girls.