Legal Adviser (Energy and Natural Resources)
Share
Job Location:
Monthly Salary:
Posted on:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
The Commonwealth Secretariat seeks to appoint a Legal Adviser (Energy and Natural Resources) in our Climate Change and Ocean( CCO) Directorate. The CCO Directorate 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 CCO Directorate 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 Legal Adviser will provide advisory 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 Legal 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 and critical minerals) energy sectors (oil gas renewable) including revenue management and 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 law with a specialisation in the extractive and energy sectors; A minimum of ten years of experience at a senior level in the practice of law and in advising governments on the implementation of projects related to the governance of energy and extractives in particular the mining industry and/or low carbon systems and developments; you should be qualified to practice law in a Commonwealth jurisdiction; Demonstrated skills in: policy advisory legislative drafting contracts and negotiations in extractives and/or energy and dealing with high-level government officials. Alsoprior experience in: an international context gained in an international or intergovernmental organisation a government ministry or the private sector.
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 of56 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 theCommonwealth Charter.
The Commonwealths roots go back to the British Empire. But todayany country can jointhe 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 supportsmember countriesto 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
Key Skills
- Business Development
- Electrical Engineering
- Management Experience
- HVAC
- Territory Management
- Project Management
- Quality Control
- Contract Management
- Budgeting
- Program Development
- Public Speaking
- Contracts
