Senior Policy Advisor Climate Change - Secondment

Job Description

About UK Infrastructure BankWe are the new, government-owned policy bank - launched in June 2021 - providing £22bn of infrastructure finance and partnering with the private sector and local government to finance a green industrial revolution and drive growth across the United Kingdom.We are looking for skilled and results oriented individuals who are motivated to help us build the UKIB into an industry-leading institution.Job PurposeThis is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious individual to help shape the direction for the UK Infrastructure Bank, a new policy bank responsible for increasing infrastructure investment on two of the country’s biggest priorities: climate change;and, regional and local economic growth.The Senior Policy Advisor will manage a portfolio of work on discrete policy issues. This includes leading the Bank’s approach to nature-based solutions and natural capital, the wider water sector and our approach to climate resilience and adaptation. Youwill also have shared responsibility for the waste and circular economy sector, with ability to flex responsibilities according to the interests and expertise of the successful candidate as well as business need. The post is situated in the Climate Changepolicy branch which in addition to waste, wate and natural capital also covers heat and retrofit.Your role is to ensure the Bank’s transactions deliver on our strategic objectives and align with government policy. As part of the deal teams you will be leading on policy due diligence on individual transactions. You will also own relationships with governmentdepartments for these sectors as well as with key partners in support of our pipeline of infrastructure deals.Nature, adaptation and circular economy are nascent investment sectors and we are aware that for this reason no one will have all the expertise of a ‘perfect candidate’ – what is needed is to demonstrate how you’d put your skills, experience and passionfor these critical climate-related sectors to use at the UK Infrastructure Bank.The role will sit in the UK Infrastructure Bank’s Policy and Strategy team. It is a friendly, supportive and high performing team, responsible for ensuring the Bank’s multi-billion-pound investments deliver on our strategic objectives and the Bank’s firststrategic plan which was published earlier this year. We sit at the heart of the Bank and work with teams across it (including Impact, Banking), as well as engaging extensively with stakeholders in Whitehall, the financial sector and the nature, net zero andregional growth policy eco-systems.This role is an opportunity to get stuck into turning policy theory into a pipeline reality and develop commercial and finance skills which are highly valued in the civil service.Job Responsibilities:

• Providing thought leadership on the bank’s approach to developing a pipeline of infrastructure transactions in the nascent natural capital, waste and water sectors in support of the Bank’s strategic objectives, both independently and through working closelywith banking and impact colleagues, drawing on own expert knowledge, evidence and networks.
• Develop policy on how the bank should consider the natural capital impacts of its investments, in partnership with colleagues in our Impact and Banking teams.
• Leading on discrete cross-cutting policy issues as required, producing policy papers on emerging initiatives such as Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and climate resilience and transition planning to support decision making by theBank’s Executive Committee and Board. Spot key issues, risks and opportunities relevant to these policy areas and work with other functions across the Bank and wider government to identify ways forward.
• Leading on the appraisal of individual investment proposals against the Bank’s strategic objectives and government policy alignment and supporting due diligence processes on transactions. Includes working closely with banking, local authority, impact, commsand risk functions, and leading the drafting of the policy section of investment committee papers.
• Owning relationships with key public sector stakeholders (including Defra, other government departments and devolved administrations), ensuring the whole Bank is aware of the latest policy developments in your portfolio of sectors.
• Supporting wider work to establish an effective policy function which is well integrated and influential across the Bank. Being flexible and agile to evolving team needs; and, supporting other colleagues in the team where needed.

The role reports to the Head of Climate Change, and given the breadth of the climate change agenda the team work flexibly to ensure the UK Infrastructure Bank can deliver our strategic objectives.Person specification:

• Experience of climate, natural capital and nature-based solutions, waste or water sectors, ideally through working in a policy, analytical or investment-focused role within a government department, advisory or research firm, project sponsor or public financeinstitution.
• Ability to quickly become a thought leader in the voluntary carbon market, biodiversity net gain, water services and waste. Demonstratable experience in one or more is highly desirable.
• Ability to set the strategic direction on policy issues, taking account of wider objectives and stakeholder interests.
• Ability to drive work forward, making effective decisions when faced with incomplete information in a nascent sector, and overcome both policy and procedural barriers to progress.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of senior and external colleagues, influencing effectively and providing constructive challenge.
• Be a skilled communicator, both in writing and in person, and passionate about contributing to the positive culture of the organisation.

Terms and conditions Staff would join the UK Infrastructure Bank on a 2 year secondment, remaining on their current terms and conditions. We will consider staff on temporary promotion, however any period of temporary promotion would end on your return to your home departmentand would not be recognised as substantive.Staff applying would need their line manager’s and department’s permission that they are able to join the Bank on secondment. It is important that you have agreement from your line manager and HR team to be released quickly. A career with us offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and work on cutting-edge technologies that will drive the UK’s future. We value diversity in our people and inclusion is at the heart of what we do.<st