Vacancy: UK External Affairs Officer

**Application instructions are at the bottom of this page**

Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time. Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) will be essential to delivering a sustainable, competitive and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.

The CCSA is seeking a highly motivated and politically astute UK External Affairs Officer at a pivotal moment for the CCUS and hydrogen sectors.

The UK benefits from strong political backing for CCUS, including a £21.7bn Government commitment over 25 years to deliver the first projects by 2030. Major developments in the East Coast Cluster and HyNet are now underway, with further projects in the pipeline. The CCSA works closely with government to support delivery and to establish a self-sustaining UK CCUS industry and a wider European CO₂ market by the 2030s.

CCUS is a global industry, with CCSA members leading projects across power, industry, hydrogen, fuels and carbon removals. The UK remains one of the most attractive markets for CCUS investment and development.

The CCSA

The CCSA is a trade association representing over 100 organisations accelerating the commercial deployment CCUS through advocacy and collaboration. Our ambition is to see CCUS developed and deployed at the pace and scale necessary to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and deliver sustainable growth across regions and nations.

We represent a wide variety of organisations with an interest in the development and deployment of CCUS across many applications to decarbonise heavy industries, power and hydrogen production, and remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. The CCSA team works across two offices, with staff based in London and Brussels.

The role

The CCSA is seeking a highly motivated and politically astute UK External Affairs Officer, reporting to the Head of UK External Affairs and working alongside the Senior UK External Affairs Officer. You will help shape and communicate our policies at the most senior political and media levels, with regular opportunities for organising and attending events in Westminster, regularly meet MPs and advisors, manage stakeholder relationships, and forge strategic partnerships to advance the CCUS industry and advocacy.

You will have a strong interest and experience in politics and media relations in the energy and climate change sectors, coupled with a drive to see real progress and results in the development of the carbon capture and storage industry. An understanding of the workings of the UK Government, parliamentary procedure, and legislative process is required, coupled with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, experience with the media and the ability to engage and influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of UK External Affairs in delivering the CCSA’s external affairs and communications strategy, shaping public perception and influencing national policy and decision-making.
• Monitor and analyse parliamentary activity, including the progress of Bills, identifying opportunities for timely and effective intervention.
• Track developments across Parliament and the wider public affairs landscape, proactively assessing risks and opportunities.
• Draft high-quality briefings, correspondence and materials for key political stakeholders, including government officials, MPs and Ministers.
• Provide secretariat support to the CCUS APPG, ensuring effective coordination and delivery of its activities.
• Produce clear, concise briefings for senior leadership and CCSA members on policy and external affairs developments.
• Maintain and continuously improve stakeholder engagement processes, ensuring accurate tracking, reporting and evaluation.
• Support delivery of the CCSA’s media engagement programme, building and maintaining strong relationships with journalists and media outlets.
• Develop and deliver thought leadership initiatives in collaboration with internal teams, members and external experts.
• Support the management of the press office function, including drafting press materials and securing media opportunities for the CEO.
• Create engaging social media content and contribute to the growth and reach of CCSA’s digital channels.
• Plan and deliver events (virtual and in-person), including the CCSA’s Party Conference programme.
• Represent the CCSA at industry and parliamentary events, building and maintaining a strong professional network.
• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure external affairs activity is fully integrated into broader communications strategies.
• Coordinate working groups with members, ensuring effective engagement and follow-up.
• Support the development and delivery of newsletter content.

Essential criteria

• Comfortable in a deadline-driven environment, able to exercise project management skills and work independently.
• A self-starter with a proactive attitude who is excited by this opportunity.
• Experience in drafting and editing high-quality written content.
• Creative and able to generate new ideas, think on your feet and cope under pressure.
• Be able to concisely communicating complex ideas.

Desirable criteria

• A post-graduate qualification, such as a degree in politics, journalism or other related disciplines.
• Previous experience of working in energy and climate change, particularly carbon capture and storage and hydrogen.
• Experience working for an MP and an understanding of UK Government and the policy making processes.

Application Details

At CCSA we celebrate diversity as we know it makes our company a great place to work. Encouraging applicants with different backgrounds, ideas and points of view, we create teams who work together to lead a new industry. We recognise that multiple perspectives come from many sources including diverse ethnicity, culture, nationality, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, marital status, parental status, education, social background and life experience of people.

Terms of employment

Contract: This is advertised as a full-time role for a fixed 12-month period. with the potential for extension subject to business needs and performance.

Salary: £30,000 to £34,000, including benefits and bonus

Location: We operate a hybrid policy and the successful candidate will spend a minimum of two days a week in our comfortable London office near beautiful St James Park, SE1. This role requires flexibility when it comes to in-person event support and delivery, so there will need to be occasional travel both in the UK and potentially abroad, with occasional evening/early morning events.

Benefits: We give 26 days annual leave (rising to 28 after 2 years), 6% pension contributions, enhanced parental leave, an employee assistance programme, volunteer days and training opportunities.

How to apply – deadline 10am BST Monday 1 June

To apply, please send a CV and short covering letter to info@ccsassociation.org with UK External Affairs Officer and your name in the email subject. CV only applications will not be accepted. Interviews are planned to take place in June 2026 with appointment shortly thereafter. No agencies, thank you.