Energy Security and Nuclear Officer, Energy, Climate and Environment team

Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO UK); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington DC is seeking an Energy Security and Nuclear Officer to join the Energy, Climate and Environment (ECE) team. You will lead UK engagement across energy security, civil nuclear and fusion, and oil and gas, building relationships with US government, industry and academia.

You will deliver high-profile events, provide clear analysis and brief ministers, and manage delivery with a fast-paced, collaborative approach in a genuinely international

Qualifications

• Good working knowledge of energy policy with interest or experience in energy security, civil nuclear, fusion or oil and gas.
• Delivery and organisation skills to plan and run multiple events and workstreams.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with senior external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead UK engagement on energy security with US government, industry and academia.
• Lead civil nuclear and fusion engagement, including events, roundtables and delegations.
• Plan and deliver high-profile energy and nuclear events with cross‑border stakeholders, and provide analysis for ministers.

Skills

Policy knowledge

Delivery & project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Judgement & initiative

Collaboration

Job description

Main purpose of job:

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington DC is offering an exciting opportunity to join the Energy, Climate and Environment (ECE) team as an Energy Security and Nuclear Officer. This is a meaningful role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, contributing to work shaping international diplomacy to make a real difference globally.

The United States is the UK’s single most important partner on energy security, civil nuclear and fusion. The ECE team leads the UK’s engagement across this agenda, working with the US federal government, Congress, the national laboratories, industry and civil society, and in close partnership with UK government departments including the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

This role leads the UK’s US-facing engagement across three priority areas: energy security, civil nuclear and fusion, and oil and gas. The postholder will build and sustain relationships across the US energy ecosystem, plan and deliver high-profile events, roundtables and delegations, provide clear analysis and advice, and turn UK policy priorities into concrete engagement that keeps the UK a first-choice partner for the United States on these issues.

The US Network offers a unique, career-enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave, competitive insurance options, a top-tier 401(k) programme, and access to world-class learning and development resources. You will be part of a dynamic international environment spanning the British Government’s extensive network across the United States and the United Kingdom, including the Embassy in Washington, the UK Mission to the United Nations, multiple Consulates and other Government Offices, comprising over 900 staff and supporting the work of approximately 30 UK government departments and agencies.

We are looking for a motivated, organised, credible and proactive professional with experience in energy policy, international engagement or project delivery. You will bring strong relationship-building, communication and prioritisation skills, sound judgement, and a commitment to high-quality delivery and continuous learning.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Energy security (about 30%): Lead UK engagement with the US on energy security, including energy markets, supply-chain resilience, critical minerals and security of supply. Monitor and analyse developments in US energy policy, markets and politics, and provide clear and timely advice to the Embassy and UK government departments. Identify opportunities to advance UK energy security and prosperity through the bilateral relationship and develop practical plans to pursue them.
• Civil nuclear and fusion (about 40%):Lead delivery of the UK’s civil nuclear engagement with the US, including the UK-US Nuclear Energy Action Plan, engagement with the US Department of Energy and the national laboratories, and work on advanced nuclear, small modular reactors and the civil nuclear supply chain. Lead the UK’s fusion engagement, positioning the UK as a leading international partner and advancing bilateral collaboration under the Technology Prosperity Deal and related frameworks. Build and maintain relationships with US nuclear and fusion stakeholders across government, the national labs, industry and Congress, and plan and deliver nuclear and fusion events, roundtables, delegations and summits.
• Oil and gas (about 15%): Lead UK engagement with the US on oil and gas, including markets, supply and trade, LNG, and the role of oil and gas in energy security. Build relationships with relevant US government, industry and Congressional stakeholders and provide analysis and advice to the Embassy and UK government departments.
• Delivery and programme (about 15%): Plan and deliver high-profile energy and nuclear events, delegations, roundtables and receptions with US government, industry and Congressional stakeholders to a consistently high standard. Manage logistics, budgets and stakeholder coordination, track delivery against the team’s activity plan, flag risks and resourcing pressures early, and contribute to the team’s reporting and briefing for UK ministers and senior officials.

*These percentages are indicative and may shift over time depending on team priorities and organisational needs.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

There will be direct line management responsibility. The postholder will manage event and delegation budgets within the ECE programme and may direct the work of task-and-finish groups and junior colleagues on specific projects.

Essential on arrival:

• Policy knowledge: A good working knowledge of energy policy, with genuine interest or experience in one or more of the following sectors: energy security, civil nuclear, fusion or oil and gas, or the demonstrated ability to get up to speed quickly on technical subject matter.
• Delivery and organisation: Strong delivery and project-management skills, with the ability to plan and run multiple events, engagements and workstreams simultaneously and to a high standard.
• Stakeholder management: Confident and credible in building and managing relationships with senior external stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders and academics.
• Communication: Excellent written and spoken communication, including the ability to write clear briefing and to communicate complex issues to a range of audiences.
• Judgement and initiative: Sound judgement and the ability to work independently, manage a varied workload and prioritise effectively in a fast-moving environment.
• Collaboration: A collaborative, flexible and proactive approach, and the ability to work effectively as part of a dispersed team.

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Proficient

Desirable skills / experience / qualifications:

• Existing networks across the US or UK energy or nuclear sector.
• Experience of working in or with government, ideally in an energy or foreign-affairs context.
• Familiarity with FCDO, DESNZ or wider HMG ways of working.
• Experience of event and delegation management.
• An understanding of the US political and policy landscape.