Diplomatic Fast Stream Economist - UK Civil Service
"I joined the UK Government's Diplomatic Fast Stream Economist scheme in 2012, working first on regional economics South Asia and Afghanistan and then on climate change and energy economic issues. I am now temporarily off economic duty, working as Private Secretary to The Foreign Secretary's Special Representative for Climate Change, Sir David King.
Sir David has been tasked to support FCO objectives on international climate policy. In practise, this means influencing key decision makers in business, policy and civil society to make the transition to a low carbon economy.
As Sir David's Private Secretary, I directly support him in achieving his objectives. This ranges from everything from making sure the diary and his travel schedules run smoothly, to providing him with advice about how to influence policy and meet his objectives. In London, as well as making sure Sir David is fully prepared for his days work, I also meet with key policy makers across Whitehall and other Private Secretary's in Minister's Offices to make sure that David is having maximum influence and impact. It's a high pressured and demanding job with long hours, but small price to pay for the highlights, such as travel (most recently UN Climate Summit) and seeing policy development at the very top.
This position will run through to just after Paris negotiations following which I'll be taking up a diplomatic post overseas, ideally still working in the climate, energy and economics field".