Economic Adviser (Energy and Natural Resources)

The Commonwealth Secretariat seeks to appoint an Economic Adviser (Energy and Natural Resources) in our Climate Change and Ocean Directorate (CCO) Directorate. The CCODirectorate is one of the three Programme Directorates of the Commonwealth Secretariat. It is responsible for delivering on two strategic pillars of the Secretariats Strategic Plan Sustainable and inclusive economic and social development and Climate-resilient and low-carbon development to respond to climate and ocean emergencies. A significant part of the Directorates work is of a consultancy and advisory nature delivered through a combination of in-house and external expertise.

The Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Section within the CCODirectorate is responsible for delivering Commonwealth strategic mandates relating to sustainable energy and natural resources. For over 55 years the Commonwealth Secretariat has provided independent expert advice and practical support to governments in the sustainable development of energy and natural resources.

Reporting to the Head of ENR the Economic Adviser will provide advisory and technical services to support Commonwealth countries advance climate-resilient economic development improve energy security reduce energy poverty strengthen social and environmental protections limit climate change and secure a just energy transition.

The Economic Adviser will work individually and in multi-disciplinary teams on a portfolio of projects. ENR current projects include designing and implementing governance reforms of mining sectors (including deep seabed mining critical minerals) energy sectors (oil gas renewable) including revenue management (e.g. sovereign wealth funds) emission reduction carbon taxation climate finance energy transition planning and implementation of low-carbon energy systems.

To be considered you will need a post-graduate degree in economics business or related field. You will need to have a minimum of ten years experience at a senior level dealing with high-level counterparts; prior experience in an international context gained in an international organisation a government ministry or the private sector. A minimum of five years experience leading and managing projects in energy and natural resources or related field is also a requirement.

Please note that this job involves frequent overseas travel.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 member governments and provides guidance on policymaking technical assistance and advisory services to Commonwealth member countries. We support governments to help achieve sustainable inclusive and equitable development.

Please apply by submitting a CV and cover letter. Covering letters should be structured to address the key criteria required in the person specification giving clear examples.

To join us you must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country.

Closing date: 22 January 2026 17:00 GMT

About us

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries .

It is home to 2.5billion people and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of our members are small states including many island nations.

Our member governments have agreed to shared goalslike development democracy and peace. Our values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter .

The Commonwealths roots go back to the British Empire. But today any country can join the modern Commonwealth. The last two countries to join the Commonwealth were Gabon and Togo in 2022.

Vision & mission

The Commonwealth Secretariat is the intergovernmental organisation that supports member countries to achieve the Commonwealths aimsof development democracy and peace.

We:

• are a voice for small and vulnerable states
• champion young people
• promote justice and human rights
• address threats like climate change debt and inequality
• help grow economies and boost trade
• support decision-makers to make good laws and deliver policies
• help strengthen governance and build inclusive publicinstitutions
• provide technical help and training
• send experts and observers to countries to give impartial advice and help solve national problems
• provide systems software and research for managing resources.

Our vision

To help create and sustain a Commonwealth that is mutually respectful resilient peaceful and prosperous and that cherishes equality diversity and shared values.

Our mission

We support member governments and partner with the broader Commonwealth family and others to improve the well-being of all Commonwealth citizens and to advance their shared interests globally.

Documents

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority