Role: Climate Strategy Support Officer
Applications Open: 10/06/2026
Applications Close: 24/06/2026
Working Hours: 35 hrs/week
Interviews: 29/06/2026
Length of placement: 12 Weeks
Start Date: 06/07/2026
Wage: £13.45 per hour
Working pattern: Flexible, with infrequent in-person meetings
Location: Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 3HA
The Organisation
East Lothian Council is a local authority covering the region immediately to the east of Edinburgh, serving a semi‑rural population of approximately 110,000. The Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and, like all public bodies in Scotland, has a requirement to reach net zero emissions in its operations by 2045. The Council must also develop a plan for the whole area of East Lothian to reach net zero emissions. Councils across Scotland use ClimateView, a data‑driven platform that helps local authorities design and monitor emissions reduction pathways. The Council is partnered with a dedicated Local Lead from the Scottish Climate Intelligence Service (SCIS) to build capacity in using ClimateView, surface interventions from existing plans and strategies, and engage colleagues across service areas as well as external partners.
The Role
This role supports East Lothian Council’s Climate Change Officer in accelerating the development of climate change plans using the ClimateView platform, in partnership with the Council’s Local Lead from SCIS. You will identify and organise climate change interventions from Council plans and strategies, upload them to ClimateView, and prepare to publish the Council’s ClimateView dashboard. You will also take a wider view of local authorities’ sustainability obligations, identify interventions for use in other Council plans and external funding applications, and engage with colleagues across departments to maintain accurate, actionable data that informs emissions reduction pathways.
Key Tasks
* Identify interventions from council plans and projects and upload them to the ClimateView platform.
* Attend SCIS workshops, training sessions, and support resources.
* Liaise with internal council teams to gather input on interventions.
* Act as secretariat for working group meetings to share and discuss insights from the ClimateView dashboard.
Outcomes and Learning
* Contribute to building and communicating a picture of climate action in East Lothian.
* Experience planning and actioning local decarbonisation initiatives with departments such as planning, transport, housing, and energy.
* Learn how policies are developed, approved, and implemented in local government and how collaboration with elected members, businesses and residents shapes outcomes.
* Build skills in project management, data analysis and communication.
* Be part of a team leading on achieving Scotland’s ambitious climate change goals.
The Candidate
Skills and experience required: A degree in a field with a strong interest in government, public policy, and climate change such as data science, politics, environmental sciences, planning, engineering, landscape architecture or related disciplines. The role requires good basic IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams. Confidence in using Excel is highly desirable, and experience with websites, web applications or digital platforms is advantageous. A laptop, system access and a work email account will be provided. The role requires attendance in Haddington approximately every other week and occasional travel across East Lothian; advance notice will be provided for in‑person attendance.
Eligibility and Availability
* Eligible to work in the U.K. for the full duration of the placement.
* Available for the full length of the placement and able to travel to the location as required.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
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