Sustainability Officer

Sustainability Officer

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) - Head Office
Salary: £28,498 per annum (dependent on skills and experience). 
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Options for flexible and home working
Closing Date: 22/01/24

NERC is a partner organisation within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRI brings together nine organisations to create one single, independent entity with a strong voice, and a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

The NERC Sustainability Team have responsibility for delivery of the NERC Responsible Business Statement. This role supports implementation of the environmental components of the Responsible Business Statement

Role Purpose

Reporting to the Senior Environment Manager, the purpose of this role is to support NERC to enhance its environmental sustainability performance. The role splits into three key areas of work which are broken down as follows: 

Environmental data management

Data standards - ensuring the 5 principles of the GHG Protocol are maintained.

Data analysis – providing insight into NERC’s environmental data.

Data reporting – reporting of data both internally and externally to ensure compliance and to aid decision making.

Environmental engagement and improvement activities 

• Coordination and delivery of internal environmental engagement activity – supporting the delivery of NERC’s Climate for Change campaign
• Support for NERC environmental professionals - encouraging collaboration and ensuring a common approach to environmental sustainability.
• Co-ordinating/ leading on specific activities to drive continual environmental improvement – for example leading on sustainability funds like the Biodiversity Fund or co-ordinating NERC’s response to the Carbon Trust Route to Net Zero standard.

General support  

• Supporting others – supporting environmental work led by the Senior Environment Manager and others in the NERC sustainability team including wider UKRI activities.
• Sitting on employee engagement group on behalf of the Major Programmes Directorate 

Person specification

Essential 

• Graduate level qualification in a sustainability related course or equivalent experience.
• Good understanding of greenhouse gas reporting.
• Awareness of the requirements for environmental standards such as ISO14001 and the Carbon Trust Route to Net Zero standard.
• Good excel skills with an ability to analyse data to provide meaningful insights and keen to develop these further.
• Demonstrable ability to work independently and be able to apply personal initiative.
• Good communication skills (written and oral) showing an ability to work with a wide range of people.
• A proactive approach to sustainability and a desire to develop professionally e.g. through registration with an environmental professional body such as IEMA or CIWM.
• We are committed to providing learning and development opportunities to staff.
• For a successful candidate we would consider the possibility of funding an apprenticeship or further sustainability qualifications.

Benefits

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits including a flexible working scheme, a Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

How to apply:

For full details on the role, please visit our careers site. Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that clearly showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role.