International Policy Advisor - Sustainable Finance

International Policy Advisor

Division – International

Salary - National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £52,400 to £80,600 and London £57,700 to £88,600 per annum (Salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

About the FCA

The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. Follow this link to find out more About the FCA.

The FCA is a global regulator, supporting open markets through shaping the international regulatory agenda.  The International Division leads our strategy for international engagement, working collaboratively across the FCA to ensure the organisation delivers on its international priorities.

The Global Strategy and Engagement Team helps set, advise and deliver on the FCA’s strategic engagement with non-European authorities and jurisdictions. The team also leads on the FCA’s international engagement on Sustainable Finance, both bilaterally with non-European counterparts and multilaterally via international forums such as the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), the International Transition Plan Network and the International Financial Reporting Standards Monitoring Board.

You will work closely together with our Sustainable Finance Division, our Global Institutions team and both domestic and international partners to ensure UK financial services and the UK regulatory regime are at the forefront of Sustainable Finance internationally.

What will you be doing?

• Shape the FCA’s international strategy on sustainable finance and deliver the strategy both in bilateral relations and within international bodies

• Develop and implement new activities to drive forward our sustainable finance priorities

• Contribute to the FCA’s strategy for the IOSCO sustainable finance taskforce and other international bodies

• Set and help deliver sustainable finance objectives for jurisdictions around the world

• Advise and support the FCA’s Senior Leadership Team in their engagements with key regulatory counterparts and other international stakeholders, including overseas visits

• Work with industry, HMT, the Bank of England and other UK stakeholders to ensure effective and coordinated UK positions in international bodies

• Monitor and report on sustainable finance developments around the world, contributing to domestic policymaking with international insights where relevant

What will you get from the role?

• Contribute to addressing one of the fundamental challenges the economy and financial markets face over the coming years

• Gain an expert insight and strong understanding into global trends, including on corporate reporting, product labelling, the regulation of ESG rating agencies and the development of transition finance

• Shape, design and implement important aspects of our international engagement strategy in relation to the broad range of sustainable finance policy

• Build relationships with sustainable finance experts from regulators and industry around the world

• Work across sustainable finance-related policy issues with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring the FCA takes account of international examples and evidence in our decision-making

• Work and collaborate in a dynamic, fast-paced and changing environment, in a friendly team with experienced, highly skilled and motivated peers

Which skills are required?

We are a Disability Confident Employer; therefore, disabled people or individuals with long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. (To learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme Click Here)

Minimum

• Prior experience in the area of sustainable finance, this can be from within a regulator, industry or NGO

• Prior experience of advising and influencing internal and external stakeholders

• Prior experience of analysing complex information at pace and make judgements supported by evidence

Essential

• Ability to identify and manage stakeholders, building rapport and constructive relationships

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues succinctly and compellingly, adapted to the audience

• Pro-active attitude and ability for independent problem-solving

• Inclusive and collaborative working method, with the ability to draw on a range of expertise across the wider organisation to deliver

• Excellent self-management and organisational skills, delivering multiple tasks under pressure

• Strong political awareness and curiosity regarding the interplay between politics and financial regulation

• Clear understanding of the FCA’s roles and responsibilities within the UK financial regulatory framework, in particular the FCA’s role in contributing to the UK Government’s policy on sustainable finance

Our Values & Diversity

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and our ambition is to cultivate a culture for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views and experiences. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation and delivers better regulation.

Within the workplace you will have access to various employee resource groups which aim to promote and achieve a healthy work / life balance and support our diversity ambitions.

Did you know? 50% of our Executive Committee were the first in their family to attend university.

Benefits of working at the FCA

• 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays

• Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)

• Private healthcare with Bupa  

• A non-contributory Pension of at least 8% of basic salary each month (there are several contribution levels that increase depending on your age – up to 12% a month once you reach age 35)  

• Life assurance of eight times your basic salary  

• Income protection  

We also have a competitive flexible benefits scheme which gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifestyle.

We welcome applications from candidates who are looking for flexible arrangements.  Many of our staff work flexibly including working part-time, staggered hours and job shares.  We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want but we can explore what might work best for both sides.

Follow this link to see what life is like at the FCA - Life at the FCA

Application Support

We are dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability or condition requiring changes to the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter using the details below and they will be happy to discuss this further with you.

Useful Information and Timeline

• This role is graded as Senior Associate

• Advert Closing Date: 8th June (Midnight)

• CV Review/Shortlist: 9th / 10th June

• Competency Based Interview: 23rd - 27th June

Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time. 

Got a question?

If you are interested in learning more about the role, please contact Declan Sassman at [email protected]

Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.